Nutrisystem Food and Wine Pairing Guide
Article posted in: Nutrisystem for Men
Enjoying a memorable meal is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It begins with delicious food, a cozy ambiance and delightful conversations. And if you’re looking to elevate your dining experience, a glass of wine can enhance the flavors and add a special touch.
When following a Nutrisystem weight loss plan, it’s important to be mindful of portion sizes, including alcohol. While alcoholic beverages do contain calories without providing nutrients, you can still incorporate wine (or other types of alcohol) into your Nutrisystem journey.
Now, let’s talk about the exciting part: choosing the perfect wine to complement your meal. While there are no strict rules when it comes to wine and food pairings, it can be helpful to consider certain flavor combinations that enhance each other.
For heartier dishes like beef and pork, bold red wines often make an excellent choice. On the other hand, white wines, with their lighter flavors, tend to pair well with chicken and fish dishes.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of suggested wines that perfectly complement your favorite Nutrisystem meals. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the delightful harmony of flavors!
Pair Chardonnay with the Grain-Crusted Pollock with Vegetables
Chardonnay is a versatile wine, with taste influenced by origin and production methods. Generally dry, it’s medium- to full-bodied with moderate acidity and alcohol. According to Wine Enthusiast, flavors range from apple and lemon to papaya and pineapple, often with hints of vanilla when aged with oak.
Wine experts at La Crema Winery in Windsor, California, recommend pairing chardonnay with meaty fish, simply seasoned ingredients and toasty flavors. Our Grain-Crusted Pollock with Vegetables perfectly aligns with these recommendations. This delectable dish features Alaskan pollock, which is breaded in a crispy crust made from a variety of 10 grains. Served alongside carrots, red potatoes, and broccoli, it satisfies both the palate and the appetite.
Pair Cabernet Sauvignon with the Merlot Beef with Vegetables
Cabernet Sauvignon, a popular red wine, showcases flavors shaped by origin and winemaking. According to Usual Wines, you can expect dark fruit notes of blackcurrant, black cherry and blackberry, with hints of green bell pepper, spice, tobacco, wood, and vanilla from oak aging. It’s dry, full-bodied, with medium-to-high tannins and refreshing acidity.
Located in Paso Robles, California, Parrish Family Vineyard affirms that Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect companion for various cuts of steak and red meat dishes. Our Merlot Beef with Vegetables dish matches this description, as it features succulent thick-cut beef, rustic root vegetables, potatoes, and rosemary, simmered to perfection in a flavorful red wine reduction.
Pair Pinot Grigio with the Bistro-Style Chicken Alfredo
According to Wine Enthusiast, Pinot Grigio varies significantly based on its origin. Its versatile nature makes it an ideal white wine for food pairing. It features citrusy acidity, fruity flavors like pear, nectarine and melon, and a hint of savory minerality, which can be stony, steely or saline.
Pinot Grigio is known to complement light and fresh flavors, such as salads, chicken, seafood, and light pasta dishes. When it comes to sauces, lean towards creams and vinaigrettes instead of heavier options. One exceptional choice from the Nutrisystem menu is the Bistro-Style Chicken Alfredo. It features perfectly cooked pasta, char-grilled chicken, tender broccoli florets and a delectable creamy alfredo sauce.
Pair Chianti with the Rotini and Meatballs
Chianti wine, a delightful red blend from Tuscany, Italy, is expertly crafted using Sangiovese grapes. According to experts at Wine Folly, it offers tasting notes of red fruits, dried herbs, balsamic vinegar, smoke, and game. At the higher end, hints of preserved sour cherries, dried oregano, balsamic reduction, dry salami, espresso, and sweet tobacco emerge.
Chianti has a delightful combination of savory flavors and vibrant acidity that beautifully complements tomato sauces. The dry, powdery tannins found in Chianti wines make them a perfect pairing for dishes featuring succulent cuts of meat. Our Rotini and Meatballs would be the perfect match, with its combination of Rotini pasta, crushed tomatoes, meatballs, onions, and Italian-style seasoning with a pinch of Parmesan cheese.
Pair Rosé with the Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Rosé wines can offer a delightful balance of sweetness and dryness, depending on the grape blend. The appealing pink hue of rosé comes from the grape skins used during the winemaking process. By allowing the juice and skin to macerate for a brief period, the wine acquires its light pink color. Afterward, the skins are removed, and the juice is left to ferment.
Scott Harvey Wines suggests pairing Rosé with grilled meats. The wine’s acidity and fruitiness perfectly complement the charred flavor, making it an excellent choice for your next cookout. Better yet, enjoy it alongside the Nutrisystem Grilled Chicken Sandwich—a delightful combination of flame-broiled white meat chicken on a wholesome whole grain bun.
Pair Pinot Noir with the Italian Sausage and Turkey Pepperoni Pizza
According to experts at Lunzer Wine, Pinot Noir commonly features tart red fruit flavors like cherry, high acidity, and soft yet firm tannins. When oak is employed in winemaking, a subtle touch of spice emerges. As this wine ages, it gains complexity, revealing layers of mushroom, forest floor and game.
Bright Cellars recommends pairing a delicious, earthy mushroom pizza with a light-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir. Try a glass with our Italian Sausage and Turkey Pepperoni Pizza and top it with some sauteed onions and mushrooms. They will perfectly complement the zesty tomato sauce, turkey pepperoni and Italian sausage.
Pair Sauvignon Blanc with the Artichoke and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
Halleck Vineyard, an estate winery located in Sebastopol, California, describes Sauvignon Blanc as a dry style wine that exhibits bright acidity and fruit-forward flavors. These flavors range from tangy lime and green apple to tropical passionfruit and ripe white peach. With a medium body and bold aromatic profile, Sauvignon Blanc can also showcase green and herbal qualities. Overall, it is a bolder, grassier, and more acidic alternative to Pinot Grigio.
Sauvignon Blanc is said to pair well with white meat, cheese (such as Swiss), spring vegetables like artichokes and herbs. This almost sounds like the description for our Artichoke and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast, a seasoned chicken breast stuffed with artichokes, spinach and a blend of cheeses including Swiss.
Pair Shiraz with the Chicken Enchilada
Shiraz wines are renowned for their rich and juicy mid-palate, says Redman Wines. Enjoy a delightful blend of pepper, spice and sweet red fruit flavors.
According to the Online Encyclopedia of California Wineries and Wines, Shiraz is an excellent pairing for mildly spicy foods. Consider savoring it with our delicious Chicken Enchilada, which features a mouthwatering combination of white meat chicken, peppers, onions and tomatoes, all encased in a corn tortilla. Topped with creamy sour cream and melted cheddar cheese, this Tex-Mex dish is complemented by the zesty notes of Shiraz.
Pair Prosecco with the Chocolate Cupcake
Prosecco, a sparkling white wine originating from Italy, offers delightful fruity aromas of peach, pear, melon, green apple and honeysuckle. According to Ant and Chid, when combined with chocolate, Prosecco enhances the flavors and creates a harmonious balance.
Indulge in a glass alongside our delectable Chocolate Cupcake, a soft and rich treat made with wholesome whole grains, no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and topped with a luscious chocolaty frosting. Savor this perfect pairing and elevate your taste experience.
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