Skip to main content
University of California Press

Daring Pairings

A Master Sommelier Matches Distinctive Wines with Recipes from His Favorite Chefs
by Evan Goldstein (Author)
Hardcover eBook
Price: $34.95 / £30.00
Publication Date: Apr 2010
Edition: 1st Edition
Title Details:
Rights: World
Pages: 364
ISBN: 9780520945562
Read an Excerpt(opens in new window)
Recommend to your Library (PDF)(opens in new window)Rights and Permissions

About the Book

The best wine and food pairings create harmony among unexpected flavors. Chardonnay, Riesling, and Merlot are classic pairing choices, but less conventional grape varieties like Albariño, Grenache, Grüner Veltliner, Malbec, and Tempranillo are becoming increasingly popular, coveted by those with curious palates and a taste for good value. In Daring Pairings, the adventurous companion to the acclaimed Perfect Pairings, Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein shows how anyone can bring these emerging, exciting varieties to the table. He ventures into wine's new frontiers, exploring the flavors and pairing potential of thirty-six distinctive grapes from around the world, including Argentina, Spain, Italy, Greece, and France. In his entertaining and approachable style, Goldstein offers advice on crafting unforgettable wine and food pairings, suggests wines for everyday and special occasions, and recommends producers and importers. Thirty-six star chefs present recipes specially tailored to Goldstein's wine selections, and full-color photographs display these dishes in delectable splendor. This authoritative, down-to-earth guide reveals that pairing food and wine is no great mystery—anyone willing to explore or experiment can create bold and memorable combinations.

With recipes and commentary from:

Nate Appleman, Dan Barber, Ben Barker, Paul Bartolotta,Michelle Bernstein, Floyd Cardoz, Robert Del Grande, Tom Douglas, Suzanne Goin, Joyce Goldstein, Christopher Gross, Fergus Henderson, Gerald Hirigoyen, Philippe Jeanty, Douglas Keane, Hubert Keller, Loretta Keller, David Kinch, Evan Kleiman, Mourad Lahlou, Michael Leviton, Emily Luchetti, Laurent Manrique, Lachlan M. Patterson, Cindy Pawlcyn, Anne S. Quatrano, Michael Romano, Susan Spicer, Frank Stitt, Craig Stoll, Ethan Stowell, Charlie Trotter, Larry Tse, Richard Vellante, Vikram Vij, Kate Zuckerman

About the Author

Evan Goldstein is a Master Sommelier and a four-time James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year. He is the author of Perfect Pairings (UC Press) and Five Star Service: Your Guide to Hospitality Excellence, and is President and Chief Education Officer of Full Circle Wine Solutions.

Table of Contents

Contents
List of Recipes
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Wine and Food Today
Creating Pairings That Work
How to Navigate the Grapes

White Wines
Albariño
Arneis
Assyrtiko
Chenin Blanc
Garganega
Grüner Veltliner
Marsanne
Muscat
Pinot Blanc
Prosecco
Roussanne
Sémillon
Torrontés
Trebbiano
Txakoli
Verdejo
Vermentino

Red Wines
Aglianico
Barbera
Cabernet Franc
Carignan
Carmenère
Cinsaut
Dolcetto
Gamay
Grenache
Malbec
Mencía
Mourvèdre
Nebbiolo
Petit Sirah
Pinotage
Tannat
Tempranillo
Touriga Nacional
Xinomavro

About the Chefs
Summary of Wine Styles
Shopping for Wine
Glossary
Resources
General Index
Recipe Index

Reviews

“A terrific book for anyone interested in answering the question, “Which wine with which dish?” But it’s much more than that, serving as a detailed reference for less-mainstream wine grapes.”
— Wine Review Online
Bringing to bear a wealth of knowledge and experience, Master Sommelier Goldstein offers some novel approaches.
— Booklist
“A comprehensive guide (for) the adventurous wine explorer.”
— San Antonio Express-News
“Explores the pairing potential of 36 emerging grape varietals, matching each grape with recipes from star chefs.”
— Food & Wine Online
“A terrific book for anyone interested in answering the question, “Which wine with which dish?”
— Wine Review Online
“Goldstein has put serious thought into how flavors of wines like Albarino work with food, a through-the-looking-glass work that educates on a little-considered topic.”
— SF Chronicle
“An exploration of 36 wine varieties. Each wine is paired with a recipe tailored for the match by a renowned chef.”
— La Cucina Italiana
“Provides a lot to chew on. . . . Can help casual drinkers who are reaching for a new wine by offering a range of food pairing tips.”
— Dr. Vino
“One-up(s) his own 2006 "Perfect Pairings" by concentrating on wines from 36 lesser-known grape varieties. “
— Washington Post
“A lot of good advice.”
— The Times
“”Buy two: one for a cooking friend.”
— New England Wine Gazette
“An adventure in taste. . . . This is a must-buy book to wow your guests with innovative match-ups.
— Epicurious
“Goldstein divulges crucial tricks to create food and wine synergy.”
— Wine Enthusiast
“Goldstein spotlights 36 edgy varietals to get to know. Then, he assigned one of them to each of 36 chef friends to come up with a homecook-friendly dish.”
— Food Gal
“If you’re one of those people who loves wine and food, but could use some help in putting them together, you will find this book indispensable.”
— San Francisco Book Review
“Novel dishes that are matched expertly with wines. “
— Washington Post
“Resources, a glossary, and other helpful quick tips are included, as well as some sumptuous photos.”
— Na’amat Woman
“Wine book from a master. . . guide(s) readers through the ins and outs of more than 30 grape varieties, with recipes and pairings.”
— SF Chronicle
"In this book, Evan brings his unparalleled expertise to us all, making unfamiliar grapes and regions accessible through these unexpected and playful pairings. It's a great read for anyone who enjoys the pleasures of food and wine alike."—Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Executive Chef at Jean Georges

"One of the great adventures in life is pairing the right wine and food. In his essential guide to being a chef and sommelier at once, Evan shows how to match many of the new and upcoming wines with fabulous dishes from some of today's most innovative chefs."—Wolfgang Puck, Chef and Restaurateur

"Daring Pairings entices the reader to seek out treasures from the outer aisles of the wine store and pair them creatively with food. The book succeeds at every level, including the most basic one: it made me both hungry and thirsty for something new."—Tyler Colman, author of Wine Politics and DrVino.com

"Having Daring Pairings on the shelf is better than having your own personal Master Sommelier and some of America's finest chefs on call 24/7!"—Tom Stevenson, author of Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia

"Matching food and wine is a tricky venture, often based on nothing more than a vague sense of flavors and intuition. Evan Goldstein has the practical experience necessary to take it to a different level. His first book, Perfect Pairings, lays the groundwork for the workhorse wines in your cellar: Chardonnay, Cabernet, Pinot Noir and their like. With Daring Pairings, Goldstein offers advice for many of the lesser known but very worthy wines that are gaining favor today, such as Albarino, Grenache and Petite Sirah." —Russ Parsons, author of How to Read a French Fry

"Goldstein brings his expertise to an entirely new level in this fabulous, must-have book! He has assimilated a great deal of information into a format which is easy to read and understand, and chosen a stellar group of chefs to exemplify the pairings explained in the book, with the panache and style associated with these culinary greats."—Traci Des Jardins, Chef and Restaurateur of Jardiniere

"There are very few writers in the world who have Evan Goldstein's knowledge and passion for both food and wine. Daring Pairings is the ultimate book for everyone who loves to cook and is willing to be adventurous in pairing interesting and sometimes unusual wine with their meal. This is a must read for all professional chefs and aspiring home cooks."—Kevin Zraly, author of Windows on the World Complete Wine Course

Awards

  • Best Book from the United States on Matching Food and Wine 2011, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards

Media

Interview with the author.