Wine Pairings for Dishes with Prickly Pear
as recommended by Karen Bonarrigo & Merrill Bonarrigo
Wine Pairings for Dishes with Prickly Pear:
5 Things to know about pairing wines with prickly pear
- Prickly Pears are neutral in flavor with an almost delicate melon and cucumber character with a hint of bitterness. They work with most wines since they do not compete with flavor.
- The main pairing consideration with prickly pears is the preparation and what other strong flavors might be included like peppers, vinaigrette, etc.
- The bitterness in the fruit pairs well with high acid wines. Try Messina Hof Chardonnay and Father & Son Riesling.
- In the Prickly Pear BBQ recipe, the strongest flavors are the other ingredients of the sauce. The prickly pear adds texture and a light crispness to the sauce. A wine with a hint of sweetness and good acidity works well.
- The Petit Verdot is rich with dark fruit which offers a different flavor profile to the bright sauce. It provides a great pairing with BBQ Shrimp in this sauce. Smoked prickly pear in the recipe adds a nice complement.
Merrill and Karen Bonarrigo, Wine and Food Pairing experts at Messina Hof Wine Cellars, Inc.
