Wine and . . . .

Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep red, firm-bodied wine with a rich, distinct flavor that can take on flavors of red currants, chocolate, mulberries, mint, and spices. Serve at room temperature.

Chardonnay is a full, round-bodied white wine with buttery, fruity flavors such as apple, tangerine, lemon, lime, and melon. Serve chilled.

Merlot is a medium-bodied red wine with hints of berries, plums, and currants. Serve as room temperature.

Shiraz is a very dark, flavorful red wine from Australia with flavors of dark berries, plums, peppers, cloves, licorice, and dark chocolate. Serve at room temperature.

Zinfandel is a dark red wine with rich flavors of blackberries and plums with distinctive pepper bite. Serve at room temperature.

Chicken is a very versatile meat with many guises. There are creamy sauces, tomato-based sauces, oil-based sauces . . . and on and on and on . . . . It can be grilled, fried, roasted, stewed, fricasseed. . .and, again, on and on and on . . . . Once you add other ingredients with distinct flavors, specific wine types emerge as natural partners.

Wines with barbecue chicken dishes

Barbecued chicken tends to be heavy on seasoning, using powerful marinades and sticky sauces. Most of these have ketchup, vinegar, or mustard and get their sweetness from honey, brown sugar and fruit. These dishes need strong wines.

Chianti is a red wine with aromas of leather and minerals and powerful fruity flavors with a peppery edge and herbal undertones. Serve at room temperature.

Grenache is a full-bodied, sweet red wine with black currant and blackberry flavors. Serve slightly chilled.

Shiraz/Syrah is a very dark, flavorful red wine from Australia with flavors of dark berries, plums, peppers, cloves, licorice, and dark chocolate. Serve at room temperature.

Valpolicella is a medium-bodied red wine with hints of cherry and licorice. Serve slightly chilled.

Zinfandel is a dark red wine with rich flavors of blackberries and plums with distinctive pepper bite. Serve at room temperature.

Wines with roast chicken dishes

Roast chicken and grilled chicken (without all the marinades and sauces) are similar. Dry, but rounded wines pair well with these dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc is a medium-bodied, crisp white wine with complex layers ranging from herbal to tropical fruit. Serve chilled.

Semillon is a full-bodied white wine with nutty, floral characteristics. Serve chilled.

Wines with creamy chicken dishes

Creamy chicken dishes (chicken curry or a stroganoff perhaps) pair well with earthy, rugged, fruity wines.

Viognier is a full-bodied white wine with a deep golden color. Its main attraction is an aroma of apricots and orange blossoms. It has a flavor of minerals and peaches. Serve slightly chilled.

Wines with tomato based chicken dishes

These dishes tend to have strong tomato and garlic flavors.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep red, firm-bodied wine with a rich, distinct flavor that can take on flavors of red currants, chocolate, mulberries, mint, and spices. Serve at room temperature.

Chianti is a red wine with aromas of leather and minerals and powerful fruity flavors with a peppery edge and herbal undertones. Serve at room temperature.

Medoc is a delicate, medium-colored red wine with hints of fruits and spices. Serve slightly chilled.