Principles of pairing wine with dishes: tips from sommelier Ulyana Magutsii
22.08.2025
Wine is not just a drink, but an art that can emphasize the taste of a dish, give it new shades and create a unique gastronomic experience. At the Park. Art of Rest restaurant, we pay special attention to the wine list and its harmonious combination with the cuisine. Our sommelier Ulyana Magutsii shares the main principles that will help each guest make the right choice.
Why is it important to pair wine and food correctly?
The combination of wine and food is a balance of flavors. A successful duo can emphasize the tenderness of fish or the richness of meat, make dessert even more exquisite, and the evening unforgettable. On the other hand, the wrong choice can "dampen" the taste of both wine and food.
Basic principles of wine and food pairing
1. Light with light, rich with rich
Delicate white wines go well with fish, seafood or vegetable salads. Rich red wines taste better with meat, steaks and aged cheeses.
2. Contrast or harmony
Sometimes wines are matched based on similarities in taste or aroma (for example, the creaminess of a sauce and the creaminess of a Chardonnay wine). Sometimes, they are matched based on contrast: the acidity of a white wine can pair beautifully with fatty fish.
3. Wine should not interrupt, but emphasize
The main rule is that none of the components should "take over" all the flavor. The right combination always creates harmony.
Author's tips from sommelier Ulyana Magutsii
- A glass of aged red wine with pronounced tannin and structure goes perfectly with dry aged steaks at Park. Art of Rest.
- She recommends refreshing white wines with good acidity for light salads and seafood .
- Desserts should be accompanied by dessert or fortified wines that will emphasize the sweetness and leave a pleasant aftertaste.
Wine at the Park restaurant. Art of Rest
Our wine list includes the best wines from around the world , as well as wines from Ukrainian producers. Each recommendation by Ulyana is the result of experience, delicate taste and love for her work.
Visit Park. Art of Rest in Lviv to experience how the right wine can turn dinner into a true work of art.