Autumn is the perfect time of year for baking pies. In Singapore, we don’t exactly have the four seasons, so you can probably think of it as Q3 of the year.
The cool weather is perfect for spending time in the kitchen, and there’s nothing quite like the smell of a freshly baked pie wafting through the house. While pumpkin and apple pies are always popular this time of year, don’t be afraid to get creative and try out new flavour combinations.
Once you’ve got your pies ready to go, it’s time to choose the perfect wine to enjoy with them. Here are a few of our favourites (though Chef Don Lim doesn’t really drink wine – he prefers his Heineken with peng [ice cubes] instead):
Pairing Wine with Pie
The key to pairing wine with pie is to find a wine that will complement the flavours in the pie without overpowering them. You also want to make sure that the sweetness level of the wine is similar to that of the pie.
With these guidelines in mind, here are a few wines that we think pair well with some of our favourite pies.
Apple Pie: Wine Pairings
For an apple pie, look for a wine with hints of caramel or honey. A Riesling or Gewürztraminer would be a good choice. German wines seem to go ridiculously well with apple pies and strudels, by the way.
Pumpkin Pie: Wine Pairings
Pumpkin Pie: A creamy Chardonnay pairs well with the spices in pumpkin pie. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, try a Sauvignon Blanc.
Berry Pie: Wine Pairings
Berry Pie: A fruit-forward red wine like Merlot or Pinot Noir is a great choice for berry pies. If you want to go with a white wine, try an off-dry Riesling.
Chocolate Pie: Wine Pairings
Chocolate can be tricky to pair with wine because it can easily overwhelm other flavours. However, we think a Port or Madeira would be a good choice for chocolate pies.
Experiment, Experiment, Experiment!
No matter what kind of pie you’re baking this autumn, we hope you’ll give one (or all!) of these wine pairings a try. From fruity reds to crisp whites, there’s a wine out there that will perfectly complement your pies and help you enjoy them even more. Happy baking… and happy (burp) wine pairing!