Pairing Food with Blackberry Wine
Blackberry wine is a sweet, fruity wine that can complement a variety of foods when paired properly. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll answer some quick questions about blackberry wine to give readers some background knowledge before diving into the food pairings.
What exactly is blackberry wine?
Blackberry wine is made from fermented blackberries, sometimes blended with other fruit juices or grapes. It has a sweet, jammy flavor profile. The deep purple color comes from the blackberry skins. Alcohol content typically ranges from 9-13%.
Where does blackberry wine come from?
Blackberries grow wild across North America, Europe, and Asia. So blackberry wine can hail from many different regions. Some of the top producers include the United States, particularly Oregon and California, as well as France, Italy, Spain, and Germany.
What does it taste like?
In addition to sweetness, blackberry wine tastes of juicy, fresh blackberries. It often has hints of vanilla and oak from barrel aging. The flavor also develops more complexity as the wine ages.
What is the best way to serve it?
Blackberry wine tastes delicious chilled. Serving it slightly chilled around 55°F (13°C) allows the bright flavors to shine. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif wine before a meal. For dessert pairings, it works well with lighter desserts that won’t overpower the wine’s fruitiness.
Appetizer Pairings
Blackberry wine’s sweet, vibrant fruitiness pairs deliciously with appetizers and small plates. The wine’s medium body stands up well to bold flavors without overpowering. Here are some delectable appetizer pairings to consider:
Cheese plate
A cheese course makes an elegant starter for a meal with blackberry wine. The jammy wine beautifully complements both soft and hard cheeses like brie, goat cheese, aged gouda, and Parmesan. Add crackers, nuts, and fresh fruit like grapes or figs to round out the plate. The varied textures and flavors marry nicely with blackberry wine’s profile.
Charcuterie board
Sliced cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and soppressata also pair splendidly with blackberry wine’s fruitiness. The rich meats contrast with the wine’s sweetness. Include olives, mustard, and pickles to cut through the richness. Crusty bread or crackers add crunch. The charcuterie board’s diversity of flavors, textures, and aromas complements the wine’s complexity.
Smoked salmon
Slices of smoked salmon on crostini, blinis, or crackers make an elegant pairing with blackberry wine. The oaky wine echoes the smoked salmon’s flavor, while contrasts nicely with the fish’s oiliness. Add cream cheese, capers, onions, or dill to highlight different flavor notes.
Prosciutto-wrapped fruit
For an easy appetizer, wrap wedges of sweet fruit like melon, pear, or peach with prosciutto. The contrast between the salty cured ham and the juicy fruit pairs wonderfully with fruity blackberry wine. The flavors mirror and complement each other.
Caprese skewers
Build colorful skewers using fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction. The skewers’ bright, fresh flavors and textures align with blackberry wine’s perky fruitiness and acidity. The tomatoes’ sweetness echoes the wine’s jammy berry notes.
Main Course Pairings
Blackberry wine can certainly hold its own with a wide variety of main courses, from meat to seafood to vegetarian dishes. Its versatility comes from its balance of sweetness, acidity, and subtle tannins. Here are some excellent savory mains to pair with this fruity red wine:
Pork dishes
Pork makes a fantastic pairing for blackberry wine. The wine’s slight earthiness and touch of oak complements pork’s richer flavor. Dishes like pork tenderloin with a blackberry wine sauce, pork chops with a blackberry glaze, or roast pork loin encrusted with blackberries are all stellar pairings. The fruitiness balances pork’s fattiness.
Poultry dishes
Like pork, poultry also benefits from blackberry wine’s fruity sweetness to balance its leaner profile. Chicken or turkey braised with blackberries or roasted with a blackberry pan sauce makes a delicious match. Game birds like duck or quail glazed or sauced with blackberry also pair wonderfully.
Lamb dishes
Lamb and blackberry is a classic combination, and blackberry wine underscores those complementary flavors. Options like lamb chops with a blackberry demi-glace or roasted leg of lamb with a blackberry relish work beautifully. The wine’s body stands up to lamb’s richness.
Venison dishes
Likewise, blackberry wine makes an excellent pairing for venison or other game meats. Venison has depth of flavor along with a leaner profile that benefits from the wine’s fruitiness. Braises, stews, or pan-seared venison medallions with a blackberry sauce marry beautifully with this wine.
Salmon
Salmon’s richness and subtle smoky flavor combine tastily with blackberry wine’s oak and fruit notes. Grilled, roasted, or poached salmon with a blackberry vinaigrette or fruit salsa makes a stellar pairing. The contrast of oily fish and bright berry flavors is very satisfying.
Mushroom dishes
Earthy mushrooms also complement blackberry wine’s mellow fruit and hints of oak aging. Sauteed or roasted mushrooms, a portobello mushroom burger, or vegetarian mushroom wellington will flatter the wine’s profile. If porcini or other bold mushrooms are used, their intensity won’t overpower the wine.
Dessert Pairings
While blackberry wine can be dessert itself, it also pairs beautifully with less cloying sweets. The wine’s acidity and tart berry flavors cut through richness, while echoing fruity desserts. Here are some sensational blackberry wine dessert pairings:
Fresh fruit
Simply enjoying a glass of blackberry wine with fresh fruit makes a light, satisfying dessert. Berries, grapefruit, stone fruits like plums, peaches, or nectarines, and tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, or papaya all complement the wine’s ripe fruit profile. The fresh flavors cleanse the palate without overwhelming the wine.
Custards or pots de crème
The lush texture of creamy custards or pots de crème balances wonderfully with blackberry wine’s acidity. Flavor them with berries or fruits that echo the wine’s flavors, like blackberry, peach, or mango. The dessert’s richness contrasts nicely with the fruity wine.
Fruit cobblers or crisps
Warm fruit cobblers, crisps, buckles, or betties made with berries, stone fruits, apples, or pears marry marvelously with blackberry wine. The dessert’s flaky pastry contrasts the wine’s lush fruitiness. Vanilla ice cream can round out the plate.
Chocolate-dipped fruit
For an easy, elegant dessert, dip wedges of fresh fruit like strawberries, mango, banana, or melon into melted dark or milk chocolate. Let set up, then enjoy with a glass of blackberry wine. The fruit cuts through the chocolate’s richness while echoing the wine’s fruit profile.
Cheesecake with berry topping
Cheesecake makes a delightful pairing for blackberry wine, especially when topped with a compote or coulis of blackberries, raspberries, or other berries. The creamy cheesecake contrasts the fresh berry topping as well as the wine’s fruitiness and acidity.
Conclusion
With its heady fruit flavors and balanced sweetness, blackberry wine can complement a whole host of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Lighter fare like cheese, salmon, pork, chicken, or fresh fruit allows the wine’s berry essence to shine. Richer offerings like charcuterie, venison, or chocolate provide an appealing contrast. Savoring blackberry wine with complementary foods lets you fully experience its versatility and fruit-forward charm.
