When we think about wine pairings, most of us immediately think about the classic combination of wine with meat, seafood, or cheese. But what about vegans? Can they also enjoy the perfect wine pairing with their meals? The answer is yes, and it’s actually simpler than you might think.

We spoke to Ramon Manglano, the Wine Director of the renowned NYC Michelin-starred restaurant, The Musket Room, to get some insight into the art of wine pairing. According to him, while there may be a slight difference between pairing wines with vegan foods and meat/dairy-centric dishes, his approach to pairing food is always the same.

When Manglano selects a wine for a specific meal, he first looks for the heavier components of the dish. If there is dairy or meat involved, he considers the dish to have heavier, fattier properties. On the other hand, vegan dishes are often not as rich in texture or style, so he approaches them differently.

For vegan dishes, Manglano believes that the wine pairing should be focused on the cooking technique used to prepare the meal. For example, mushrooms can be paired with both white and red wines, but the style of cooking (steamed, roasted, or crispy) will determine whether a lighter white or a red wine is more suitable.

Manglano also offers some advice for those who frequently eat asparagus. He explains that asparagus can be extremely challenging to pair with wine due to its unique composition.

So, while there may be some nuances when it comes to finding the perfect wine for vegan meals, it is certainly possible to achieve a delicious and animal byproduct-free pairing. It just requires some consideration of the cooking technique and the individual components of the dish.

In conclusion, vegans can also enjoy the pleasure of wine pairing with their meals. By understanding the principles of wine pairing and considering the specific characteristics of vegan dishes, it is possible to create harmonious and flavorful combinations. Cheers to that!