There are many classic pairings and general guidelines to follow when it comes to matching wine with food; however the most important rule to remember is that there are no hard and fast rules! If it works for you and your palate, then it works... Sit back, relax and enjoy the flavour sensations.

Many pretentious words are written by so called experts extolling the virtues of a particular wine's culinary matching capabilities, or which wine would be an absolute faux-pas to serve with certain foods; confusion often follows and a reticence to experiment means one is missing out on the great fun of discovering new and interesting wines and food combinations.

Just click on each food category to see my suggested wine matches for the dishes that we all enjoy on a daily basis as well as in restaurants and on those special occasions. Below you'll find ten easy points to remember when matching wine and food, don't worry most are just common sense.

First and foremost choose a good wine, one that you believe you will enjoy even without food, as most probably you'll have a glass or two before the meal and in some cases after as well.

All the wine pairings I have selected I like to drink myself and through trial and error know go well with their particular food match, but in the end remember it's what you enjoy that counts.

Pizza (5)	Pasta (8)	Vegetarian (7)	Chicken (7)
Beef (4)	Pork (4)	Lamb (6)	Fish (6)
Shellfish (4)	Sushi (3)	Barbeque (7)	Indian (8)
Chinese (3)	Cheese - Soft (5)	Cheese - Blue (4)	Cheese - Hard (6)
Dessert - Cake (3)	Dessert - Fruit (3)