St. Patrick’s Day provides an opportunity to celebrate Irish heritage and culture alongside hearty, traditional Irish cuisine. While stout beer is often associated with Irish fare, wine serves as a surprisingly excellent alternative that offers complementary flavors that enhance the depth and richness of each dish.
1 – Irish Beef Stew
A staple of Irish cuisine, traditional Irish beef stew is a hearty dish featuring slow-cooked beef, root vegetables, and a deeply flavorful broth. The richness of the meat and the earthiness of the vegetables call for a bold wine that can stand up to the dish’s intensity.
Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent choice due to its firm tannins and dark fruit characteristics. These qualities complement the richness of the beef while balancing the savory elements of the stew. Wines from California or Australia are known for their full-bodied expressions, which are particularly well-suited for this pairing.
2 – Irish Lamb Shanks
Slow-braised Irish lamb shanks are often prepared with garlic, herbs, and root vegetables, resulting in a dish with robust flavors and tender texture.
Wine Pairing: Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir provides the perfect balance for lamb shanks. Its bright acidity and red fruit flavors cut through the dish’s richness and enhance the depth of the savory components. A medium-bodied Pinot Noir from Oregon or New Zealand offers excellent complexity and structure for this pairing.
3 – Irish Soda Bread
Irish soda bread is a simple yet flavorful bread made with baking soda instead of yeast. It is often enjoyed warm and served alongside grass-fed butter and hearty meals.
Wine Pairing: Riesling
A slightly sweet, medium-dry Riesling offers a refreshing contrast to the dense texture of the bread. Its bright acidity and subtle sweetness harmonize with the bread. Rieslings from Oregon, Germany, or the Finger Lakes region of New York are particularly well-suited for this pairing.
4 – Colcannon
Colcannon is a comforting dish made from mashed potatoes blended with kale or cabbage. Its creamy consistency and mild flavors make it a versatile side dish and easily paired with wine.
Recommended Wine: Chardonnay
An oaked Chardonnay complements Colcannon beautifully. The wine’s buttery notes and crisp acidity balance the dish’s creamy texture to create a well-rounded pairing. Opt for a Chardonnay from California for the best results.
5 – Shepherd’s Pie
A beloved Irish classic, shepherd’s pie is built with layers of seasoned ground lamb (or beef) and vegetables then topped with creamy mashed potatoes before being baked to perfection.
Recommended Wine: Merlot
Merlot’s soft tannins and ripe fruit profile provide an excellent counterpoint to the dish’s rich meat and potato layers. A structured Merlot from Washington State or right bank Bordeaux enhances the savory qualities of shepherd’s pie.
6 – Fish and Chips
Another classic dish found in Irish pubs is fish and chips. This popular meal features crispy battered fish served with potato fries. The light, crispy texture of the batter requires a wine with refreshing acidity.
Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc offers zesty citrus notes and bright acidity to cut through the richness of the fried fish and enhance its delicate flavors. Choose a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand for a crisp and vibrant option.
7 – Guinness Cake
Originating in Dublin, Ireland, Guinness is a stout beer with a creamy texture of soft effervescence derived from the addition of nitrogen. The beer’s characteristic flavor comes from both malted and toasted barley. To add decadence to this much beloved stout, Guinness is partnered with cocoa in this moist and rich chocolate dessert. The deep chocolate notes in the cake pair well with a dessert wine that offers sweetness and complexity.
Wine Pairing: Banyuls
A fortified wine such as Banyuls, with its intense fruit flavors and rich sweetness, pairs exceptionally well with Guinness cake. The wine provides an excellent harmony with the chocolate and stout elements of the cake.
Pairing wine with traditional Irish recipes enhances the flavors of each dish while offering a unique and sophisticated approach to St. Patrick’s Day dining. Select wines that complement the richness, acidity, and textures of these classic Irish foods to create a well-balanced and memorable culinary experience. Cheers!