The perfect match: which wine to serve with miso soup for a Japanese evening?
When organising a Japanese evening, it is essential to respect the culinary traditions and ensure that each dish is accompanied by the right beverage. Miso soup being a must-have in this kind of celebration, it is appropriate to choose the wine that will highlight its complex flavors. In this article, we suggest some winning combinations of miso soups and French wines.
Understanding the flavors of miso soup
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese dish mainly composed of fermented soybean paste (miso), dashi broth, tofu, wakame seaweed, and other ingredients depending on regional variations. Its taste is both tasty, slightly salty, and umami, which makes the selection of a suitable wine somewhat tricky.
The characteristics of white wines
White wines are generally associated with Asian dishes due to their freshness and ability to balance the intense and sometimes spicy flavors of these dishes. For a miso soup, it is best to opt for a dry and aromatic white wine, which will not be too fruity or sweet. Wines made from grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris will be good choices.
The assets of red wines
If one prefers to accompany their miso soup with a red wine, it is important to select a vintage that will respect the flavors of the dish without masking them. Light to medium-bodied red wines, slightly acidic and low in tannins are then recommended. You can turn to appellations such as Beaujolais Rouge, Beaujolais Villages Rouge or even Côtes-du-Rhône to find the ideal bottle.
Our suggestions of French vintages to enhance your miso soup
- Beaujolais Rouge: This wine, made from the Gamay grape variety, offers a nice freshness and aromas of red and black fruits, which will perfectly match the complexity of the miso soup. It is also very low in tannins, making it a wise choice to not overwhelm the flavors of the dish.
- Beaujolais Villages Red: This appellation offers more structured and complex wines than the classic Beaujolais Reds. Their notes of ripe fruit and their slight acidity will harmoniously blend with the salty and umami side of miso soup.
- Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc: This fine white wine from the Rhône Valley is crafted from several grape varieties, including Clairette and Grenache Blanc. It offers a complex bouquet of floral, fruity, and spicy aromas, which will enhance the flavors of your miso soup while adding a touch of elegance.
Adjusting your choice according to the ingredients of the miso soup
It is also important to consider the variations of miso soup when choosing the wine. Indeed, some ingredients can influence the food-wine pairing and make certain vintages more or less suitable.
Miso soup with fish or seafood
If your miso soup contains pieces of fish or seafood, it would be better to choose a white wine instead of a red one. The delicate aromas and freshness of a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc will highlight these briny flavors without overwhelming them.
Vegetarian miso soup
For a vegetarian miso soup, that is to say without animal products, a light red wine will be suitable. A Beaujolais Rouge or a Côtes-du-Rhône will successfully accompany the vegetables and mushrooms present in this type of soup.
Spicy Miso Soup
In case of spicy miso soup, a dry and fruity white wine, like an Alsatian Pinot Gris, can provide a touch of sweetness and refresh the palate.
The harmony between a miso soup and a French wine will depend on the flavors of the soup as well as personal preferences. Do not hesitate to experiment with several combinations to find the one that will delight your guests at your Japanese evening.