Wine Pairing for the People

In the world of wine, it is often said that dishes and wines from the same region pair well together, and that spicy, tart, salty, and sweet flavors are difficult to match. But what about dishes from regions where grape growing is not common? What about cuisines from around the world—many of which are not European—that showcase spicy and tart flavors? Do these traditional dishes not deserve a perfect food and wine pairing as well? Cha McCoy, a certified sommelier and owner of the wine shop “The Communion,” knows that good food and good wine go hand in hand, and that cuisines from Africa, Asia, and the Americas deserve to be accompanied by great vintages just as much.

In this one-of-a-kind guide, Cha McCoy offers food and wine pairings from Africa, Asia, and beyond, combining practical information with a touch of armchair travel. Cha shares her journey of learning about and discovering ancestral culinary traditions and regional cuisines from around the world, exploring each continent first, then each region or country, from Africa to the Caribbean, from Latin America to the United States, via Asia, and examining their wine-growing regions.

Throughout this book, you will discover food and wine pairing lists and menus that will allow you to easily find wines to enjoy with any dish you desire, whether it is a Moroccan tagine, Jamaican jerk chicken, Mexican elote, a shrimp “Po’ Boy,” peach cobbler, or pad thai. In addition, you will find 25 international recipes created by renowned chefs and mixologists that embody the heritage of each destination, accompanied by food and wine pairing suggestions to perfect your meal.

Whether you are curious about what to eat on your next trip abroad, want to try a local restaurant, or are looking to discover a new cuisine to recreate at home, *Wine Pairing for the People* will not only guide you through your culinary choices but also explain how to enhance the flavors of your dishes with successful food and wine pairings. Prefaced by Stephen Satterfield and featuring superb photographs, maps, and illustrations throughout the book, this innovative book boldly asserts: “Wine is for everyone.”