Your winter wine and food pairing guide Share Winter is here! Gone are the days of fresh seafood and light curry paired with crisp chenin blanc and fruity sauvignon. Pairing wine and food is not always the easiest thing to do. Whether preparing a dinner for a special occasion or just a meal with friends, wine and food pairings can be a challenge. In restaurants, at least in the better ones, wine recommendations are usually made by a professional sommelier, someone who knows both the wine list and menu intimately. Wine expert Gosia Young of Gosh! Wine Marketing says you can ruin a great meal with a bad wine pairing.