Does Wine Ruin the Taste of Food? Why Water Might Be the Best Pairing

Wine and food: tradition or distraction?

A tasting menu with wine pairing is often presented as the ultimate fine dining experience. The acidity of white wine can refresh a dish, tannins in red wine cut through rich meat, and a sweet dessert wine balances spice or salt. For centuries, wine has been seen as the natural partner to haute cuisine.

But there’s a catch. Alcohol slightly numbs the taste buds, which means you often miss the finer nuances of a dish. A bold, oaky wine can easily dominate, leaving you tasting the glass more than the chef’s creation.

Water as the purest choice

More chefs are now realising that water may be the best pairing. Unlike wine, it doesn’t mask flavours — it lets you experience the food exactly as the chef intended. Yet not all water is the same: minerals, acidity, and bubbles can all change how a dish feels and tastes.

Michelin-starred restaurant La Popote in England

At the Michelin-starred restaurant La Popote in England, this idea has gone one step further. They introduced a dedicated water menu with seven types of still and sparkling water. Descriptions read just like a wine list — from “sharp” and “dry” to “creamy.” The most expensive bottle, sourced from Icelandic glaciers, is priced at €22. Watersommelier Doran Binder helped create the list, proving water can be just as complex and interesting as wine.

Minerals that shape flavour

Chef Joseph Rawlins discovered during tastings that mineral levels in water significantly affect the perception of food. Mineral-rich water can make savoury dishes feel fuller, while very pure water adds freshness and clarity. Just like with wine pairing, it’s all about balance — but without the dulling effect of alcohol.

A new trend: alcohol-free pairings

The same trend is growing in the Algarve. Alongside traditional wine pairings in Algarve fine dining, many restaurants now offer alcohol-free menus with mocktails, teas, and infusions. These creative drinks often highlight the dishes better than a heavy wine. Still, water remains the most honest option: clean, versatile, and surprisingly refined.

Conclusion: less show, more flavour

Wine pairings will always have their place — they bring celebration and ritual to the table. But if you want to taste the kitchen at its purest, water is the future. The story of La Popote shows that even water can be a luxury, flavour-defining element in fine dining. And perhaps that’s the real next step for tasting menus in the Algarve: less alcohol, more taste.