In part 1 of this series on wine selection, I will begin in the white wine area. To avoid overwhelming confusion, I will list the top four white wine varieties according to industry sales. I will list their characteristics and the foods which go well with that particular vintage.

Pouilly-Fume

• Taste of gun flint and a slight mineral flavor. This wine is light-bodied and versatile. It goes well with dips, mild cheese, pork, veal, light pasta, poultry, salmon, tuna, seafood, and shellfish. This brand is highly sought and commands great respect in the marketplace. This wine is a nice-entry level wine.

Chablis

• This wine is well known and very popular. It boasts a very dry, light-bodied flavor that does not overpower your dishes. It can be paired well with dips, appetizers, mild cheese, pork, veal, light pasta, poultry, salmon, tuna, seafood, and shellfish. This wine can be used with more everyday food and it is very hard to make a mistake with this selection. Excellent versatility.

Sauvignon Blanc

• This vintage is dry and light to medium bodied. This wine pairs well with dips, appetizers, mild cheese, asian food, pork, veal, light pasta, poultry, salmon, tuna, seafood, and shellfish. Perfect for accompanying salads, vegetables, and seafood. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a great "go-to wine." It has tropical fruits, like passion fruit and pineapple, but also bracing acidity, so it finishes dry.

Riesling

• This wine is slightly sweet but also dry and light bodied. It can be quite refreshing. This is the most food-friendly white wine. They are held together by incredible acidity and they are amazingly well-balanced. A Riesling can feel much drier than they actually are. Dips, appetizers, picnics, sandwiches, asian food, beef, barbeque, pork, veal, poultry, salmon, tuna, seafood, shellfish and fruits all can be complimented by a good Riesling. One suggestion is the Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Kupfergrube Riesling-Spatlese.

At a great meal, what you drink is as important as what you eat. Be sure to read my continuing series on wine and wine selection. Remember to go to my web site listed below and send me your loving recipes!