Complex wine demands simple food.
Photo by Michal Szydlowski | SXC.

Complex wines demand simple food. You want the wine to be the focus of attention, not a dazzling dish of food.

Grilled steak, roast beef or lamb for a great red wine do the trick; as does grilled seafood or fish for a white wine.

Use subtle herbs and spices on the vegetables; avoid heavy sauces. Dress vegetables simply: This isn’t the time for your famous Roquefort sauce.

Simple cooking also gives you what you want most: the time to relax and enjoy that bottle of wine!

• Bone up on the flavors and aromas of wine. Then, as you drink the wine, look for the particular flavors and aromas as you nose (sniff) and taste the wine.