Food - Drink
Why Asparagus Clashes With Nearly All Wine, And How To Fix It
By ERIN SHAW
Asparagus and wine notoriously clash with each other, and the combo might even make you think your wine has gone bad. However, there are ways to make the combo work.
Asparagus is a chlorophyll-rich vegetable that contains asparagusic acid. Its grassy flavors can make wine taste metallic or harsh, particularly tannic reds and full-bodied whites.
Thus, wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, and Chardonnay are off-limits for asparagus, but lighter wines like Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc may work.
You can also mellow out the asparagus itself by adding cheese like pecorino, Parmigiano, or a cheese sauce, all of which pair well with both asparagus and wine.
An even richer sauce like aioli or hollandaise can make asparagus pair well with stronger wines like Riesling. To be really foolproof, use both a light white and a rich sauce.