Viognier

Aged Comté's complex nutty, fruity, and slightly sweet flavors demand beverages with complementary depth. White wines with some richness and oxidative qualities work exceptionally well, while beers with caramel notes and complexity can highlight the cheese's crystalline texture and savory depth.

Almond cookies feature nutty, buttery flavors with light sweetness that pairs beautifully with dessert wines offering complementary honeyed notes or contrasting acidity. The nutty qualities in the cookies find harmony with malty, nut-forward beers that echo the almond character while providing enough complexity to enhance the pairing.

Apricot desserts combine the fruit's natural tartness with added sweetness, creating a balance that pairs beautifully with honeyed, aromatic wines that echo the fruit's character. The delicate stone fruit flavors benefit from wines with complementary stone fruit notes and sufficient sweetness to match the dessert, while beers with subtle spice notes and effervescence can cut through richness while complementing the fruit.

Asian-inspired dishes often feature a harmonious balance of umami, sweet, sour, and sometimes spicy elements that benefit from beverages with bright acidity and subtle sweetness. The aromatic qualities of Riesling and Gewürztraminer complement the complex spices, while the crisp effervescence and citrus notes of Witbier and Saison cut through rich sauces while enhancing delicate flavors.

The vibrant spices and complex seafood flavors of a Cajun boil demand beverages that can both complement the heat and cleanse the palate between bites. Off-dry white wines provide a touch of sweetness to balance the spice, while beers with high carbonation and lighter bodies help cut through the richness while cooling the palate.

Crab cakes feature sweet, delicate crabmeat with a rich, satisfying texture, typically enhanced with herbs, spices, and a crisp exterior from pan-frying. The ideal pairings balance this richness with either complementary creaminess or contrasting brightness and acidity, while respecting the subtle sweetness of the crab meat.

Creamy risotto's rich, starchy texture and subtle flavors pair beautifully with medium-bodied whites that offer balanced acidity to cut through the creaminess while complementing the dish's delicate flavors. The effervescence in the recommended beer styles helps refresh the palate between bites, while their grain-forward profiles harmonize with the rice base.

Curry dishes typically combine complex spices with rich, aromatic sauces that benefit from beverages with cooling properties or complementary flavor profiles. Off-dry to semi-sweet white wines like Riesling help balance the heat while offering enough acidity to cut through richness, while aromatic beers with citrus notes or subtle spiciness create harmony with the dish's complex spice profile.

The rich, creamy texture of this pasta dish calls for wines with enough body to stand up to the sauce, yet with sufficient acidity to cut through the richness. Similarly, the recommended beer styles offer light, effervescent qualities that refresh the palate between bites while their subtle flavor profiles complement rather than compete with the delicate cream sauce.

Fruit desserts offer a wonderful balance of sweetness and acidity that pairs beautifully with wines that mirror these characteristics. Sweet wines with bright acidity and complementary fruit notes enhance the dessert without overwhelming it, while effervescent, fruity beers provide contrast and cleanse the palate between bites.

The bright, fresh acidity and natural sweetness of fruit salad calls for wines with complementary sweetness and lively acidity. Light, effervescent options with fruit-forward profiles enhance the natural flavors while providing refreshing contrast.

Fruit-based desserts feature natural sugars and bright acidity that pair beautifully with sweet wines that have complementary fruit notes and sufficient acidity. The effervescence in sparkling options like Moscato d'Asti or the fruity complexity of Belgian-style beers helps cleanse the palate between bites while enhancing the fruit flavors.

The Hermit Crab is named for the fossilized crustaceans found throughout the vineyard soils of McLaren Vale – a fitting tribute to the mineral complexity this blend delivers. D'Arenberg has a knack for quirky names and serious wines, and this Rhône-inspired white blend perfectly demonstrates their approach: traditional techniques, minimal intervention, and a healthy dose of Australian character. Blending Marsanne and Viognier creates a wine with the best qualities of both varieties – the structure and aging potential of Marsanne combined with the aromatic expressiveness of Viognier. What makes this particularly special is how it manages to capture the generous fruit character you expect from Australian wine while maintaining elegance and restraint. It's like finding that perfect balance between beach-casual and smart-casual – relaxed but still put-together. For those tired of the same old Chardonnay but wanting something with similar weight and texture, The Hermit Crab offers a delicious alternative that's both interesting and approachable.

Named after an ancient Celtic tribe that once inhabited parts of Switzerland (because of course Teutonic would reference obscure European history), the Helvetii Viognier showcases a cooler, more restrained expression of this typically lush variety. It's Viognier with Alpine precision rather than Mediterranean exuberance. Teutonic Wine Company founders Barnaby and Olga Tuttle have a knack for creating wines that honor European traditions while expressing the unique character of Oregon terroir. Their Viognier maintains the variety's aromatic intensity and textural richness but with greater freshness and focus than its Rhône Valley counterparts. It's the perfect bottle for those who find typical Viognier too heavy or one-dimensional – this version has the same aromatic complexity but with a more elegant, balanced structure.

Zillamina White brings together the best of both worlds – Chardonnay's familiar appeal and structure with Viognier's exotic aromatics and texture. This California blend shows how thoughtful winemaking can create something greater than the sum of its parts. The playful name suggests a wine that doesn't take itself too seriously, but there's serious craftsmanship in the bottle. The Central Coast's cool-climate influence provides the perfect environment for these varieties to develop flavor while maintaining freshness. This isn't an oak-bomb Chardonnay or an over-the-top aromatic white – it's a balanced, food-friendly wine that offers broad appeal without sacrificing character. Perfect for those looking to step outside the usual varietal boxes without venturing too far from the familiar.