It may not seem to be the most intuitive to do, pairing Filipino food with wine. After all, we are a nation that turns to soda or “unli iced tea” for our meals. But, did you know that Filipino food can actually pair really well with some wine styles? Here are some of our favorite pairings with classic Filipino dishes to elevate everyday dining experiences.
Nothing spells indulgence more than deep-fried pork knuckles — and when you’re enjoying food that’s rich and fatty, you want to wash it down with something that has enough levels of acidity to cut through all that grease. We love this particular match because both the food and the wine are associated with celebrations. Whether it’s a town fiesta or simply a feast for the people you love at home, you can never go wrong with a crisp and indulgent glass of bubbly to go with the crunch of one of the Philippines’ favorite deep-fried “ulam.”
The traditional Pinoy adobo is salty, sour, and peppery. Pairing it with a wine with a very similar flavor profile can amplify the tastiness of the dish while bringing out the best in the wine. A nice Côtes du Rhône is definitely a good wine to sip while enjoying this all-time favorite.
Who doesn’t enjoy a stick or two (or even three!) of fatty, barbecue glazed pork with sweet sauce and grilled to perfection. And of course, nothing goes better with grilled meats than a nice glass of Zinfandel. Whether you’re at home enjoying an easy barbecue with friends or in a restaurant about to enjoy this Filipino staple, make sure you try this pairing. You'll thank us later.
A sizzling plate of fatty sisig is usually a great beer match. But, if you want to change things up a bit, trust us when we say that this goes very well with a nice glass of Pinot Noir. Yes, this lighter-bodied red wine pairs best with lighter meats like pork but it also has enough juicy acidity to cut through the grease that coats your tongue when you indulge in this favorite Pinoy pulutan. Level up your next inuman sesh and impress your favorite drinking buddies with this combo.
The beach beckons as summer comes to a close. Nothing says “sea side getaway” than a plate of local Tuna ceviche. When you have raw, seafood salad marinated in citrus and vinegar, then you need an equally acidic wine to make sure it doesn’t pale in comparison. The trusty, grassy, and citrusy Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect wine to go with this dish. If not that, then maybe try other “green” wines such as Albariño or Vinho Verde.
Enjoy!
Wine and romance – these are two things often associated with each other. With February and Valentine’s Day coming just around the corner, we’re sure people are starting to look for gifts to give to their significant other and for restaurants to dine at for a date. However, with so many new restaurant concepts popping up left and right (especially since the Philippines and Metro Manila have opened up after the pandemic), it can get overwhelming to decide.
You have to take into consideration the ambiance, the food they serve, and of course, the wine selection offered. This is why we’ve done the legwork: Here’s our list of restaurants with the best wine lists in Metro Manila:
As we enter a new year, you’re probably thinking about how you could switch things up to make the best of the next 365 days. But New Year’s resolutions aren’t just about losing weight, waking up early, or saving up more. You can choose to add things to your list that are also fun (and something you can actually stick to).
If you love your wine as much as we do, why not add resolutions to help you fall in love with wine even more? As the saying goes, life’s too short to drink bad wine. Here are five New Year’s resolutions for wine lovers out to explore!