Everyone loves a glass of cold, delicious wine. Everyone loves to bite into juicy fruits. So, it’s almost a no-brainer to pair the two for one of the most underrated food and drink experiences which packs a punch. Be it the sweet tang of a juicy berry, or the delectable crunch of an apple, they all have their perfect match in a wine which will enhance their flavor and elevate the senses. Below is a quick list of some of the best fruits to pair with your non-alcoholic wines. These will make for a great party treat as well!
BANANA
Banana is a great fruit by itself. Packed with antioxidants and with a unique flavor, it is a bright fruit with a lot of taste. Bananas are best to bring out depth in non-alcoholic rosé. In fresh bananas, dried bananas, or the infamous banana chips, the inherent sweetness is perfectly complemented by the sharp, sour notes of a good rosé. A rosé isn’t overpowering enough to completely neutralize the sweetness of the banana. It also attains new layers of flavor on account of the intense banana taste.
BLACKBERRIES
Fresh blackberries are a delight to the tongue. Slightly tart, sweet and gushing with deliciousness, these little balls of flavour work best with a sweet wine. Dessert wines such as sherry work wonders with blackberries, and are a dream come true for those with a sweet tooth. If the combined effect is too sweet for your liking, tone it down with a sweet white wine. This is a great way to highlight the tart taste of the berries. You can even freeze them and add them to the wine for a fun berry surprise.
APPLES
There’s nothing like a crisp apple on a cold autumn day. The wine that goes with this favourite fruit is a good, mild white. Apples have great texture and some grit which leave the mouth salivating for more, and a white wine gives the perfect mouthfeel, leaving you asking for more… of both. A light non-alcoholic red would also work well and accentuate the apple rather than take away from the taste. Apples are great for poaching and you can put forth a true fine dining experience by serving up cinnamon poached apples and a delicate white wine. Your guests are sure to be enthralled.
MANGOES
Mangoes bring forth tropical daydreams and sunsets on the beach. Capture this feeling in all its entirety with a heavy bodied non-alcoholic red wine to complement the meaty sweet flavor of mangoes. If you like raw mangoes, you can choose a red wine with a lot of tannins, the sour taste goes exceptionally well with the sourness of this green delight. Mangoes are also a great addition to a good wine punch. Bob some cubes of mango in your next sangria and it’s sure to be a massive hit.
PINEAPPLE
Who doesn’t love pineapple? While it may not be the best pizza topping, it sure is a great friend of wine. Choose a dry non-alcoholic white wine which doesn’t linger on the palate to help relieve the tongue from the powerful burst of sweet brought forth by a bite of pineapple. This is indulgence on a whole new level. Pineapples are another favourite for punches and can be a great combination for twenty-somethings. After every bite of pineapple, the wine wipes your tongue clean for another bite, and the cycle goes on; an addictive pairing.
STRAWBERRIES
This one is easy. Grab a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne and you are set to enjoy a classy snack. This combination is a classic and the bubbly perfectly balances the tart sweet delicious strawberries. If you are a fan of sweetness, add some whipped cream for a playful and tantalizing dessert to go with your celebratory champagne. Nothing can top a glass of fine champagne and some ripe, luscious, red strawberries.