I Know All the Answers

Sometimes a spoonful changes everything.

I’m experienced, curious, and still willing to be surprised.

The side that surprises the wine

A comfortable place to start

A pairing discovery does not require a full dish. A simple side—applesauce, cottage cheese, a pinch of curry, or a dash of nutmeg—can bring forward a flavor that seemed to be hiding in a wine.

These small discoveries often happen by accident: someone tries a bite alongside a glass and notices that the wine suddenly tastes different. Sharing that moment can be as worthwhile as planning an elaborate pairing.

Explore this topic

The goal is not to find the one correct side for a wine. It is to notice how much a small, ordinary bite can shift your experience—and to have fun exploring that change with other people.

A working guide from PairedBest. Matthew and Tom will keep adding personal experiences, preferences, and winemaker conversations.