What to Drink with What You Eat
by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page
Published by Bulfinch Press
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Reviewed by Sara A. Baker
Want to know what to drink with Indian cuisine, fajitas, or White Castle hamburgers? Looking for a delicious match for cabernet, sparkling fruit juice, or root beet? From almonds to zucchini, and ale to zinfandel, Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page's What to Drink with What You Eat has it covered. Whether you enjoy an evening cocktail or remain a teetotaler, you'll find plenty to savor in this guide to drinking.
The first rule? "Think regionally." Of course: a nice Riesling with some buttery German cheeses. Who would have thought it could be that simple? In case these pairings don't come to you effortlessly, you can peruse the suggestions for France, Italy, Spain, and Germany.
Looking to become more adventurous in your drink selections? The authors include a handy guide called, "If You Like This, You Might Also Like That." If you like champagne, for example, you might like lambic beer or sparkling sake--quite a relief for those of us who stare at the bar trying to think of something new to try and walk away with some awful concoction we can hardly stomach.
The two pairing glossaries--one by drink and one by food--are particularly helpful because of the wealth of items listed and the rating system explaining which pairings are divine and which are simply adequate. By the way, water goes best with Caesar salad, light seafood, and dessert.
For the truly gourmet, the pairing menus toward the end can help you impress even the most discriminating dinner guests. And be sure to take a peak at the desert island lists--what they can't go without! --offered by everyone from Rocco Dispirito to the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery.
Lest you think the authors have left out any crucial elements, the tasting chart at the end of the book is just the key to put all these great suggestions to use on your path to heavenly dining--and drinking. Before you know it, you'll be dreaming of Rick Bayless's pairing of squash blossom soup and a Portuguese wine you're still learning how to pronounce it.
Armchair Interviews says: Yum and a "to your health."