Food and fruit juice matching

If you’re on the wagon this month, mealtimes can suddenly seem a bit drab and colourless. But if you’re missing the taste of your favourite wine try substituting a fruit juice that has similar flavours.

Obviously they tend to be sweeter than wine which may or may not be to your taste. They also, tend to be thicker in consistency, particularly if they’re home made, which can overwhelm a delicate dish. But you can deal with that either by adding a little still or sparkling mineral water, a dash of lemon, lime or grapefruit juice or by serving your juice in a jugful of ice.

If you want a lighter style of juice choose or make one that’s blended with apple, pear, grape or melon juice which will give you a softer, more rounded flavour.

Here’s what to try instead of your favourite sips:

Lighter styles of Chardonnay/Chenin Blanc: apple or pear juice, white cranberry juice

Richer styles of Chardonnay: peach, mango, passionfruit or tropical fruit juice

Semillon: pineapple juice, tropical fruit juice

Sauvignon Blanc: elderflower cordial, traditional lemonade

Riesling: white grape juice, lime cordial, sparkling apple juice

Rosé and light reds such as Beaujolais: cranberry juice, red grape juice, strawberry cordial, watermelon juice

Pinot Noir: pomegranate, raspberry or raspberry and cranberry juice

Merlot, Carmenère and Shiraz: forest fruits, plum juice

Cabernet Sauvignon: blackcurrant juice/cordial, blackberry, elderberry

Champagne/sparkling wine - elderflower spritzer, sparkling apple juice

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And for more hot tips and recommendations check out my Substack Eat This, Drink That, Live Well.

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