Wine & Food Pairing: Madeira & Rarebit

The smoked haddock rarebit has long been a stalwart on the menu. Intensely flavoured, rich and a touch hedonistic, it may be the ultimate comfort food. Sat on a bed of creamed leeks and smoked pancetta, the potency of flavours poses something of a problem with regards to food pairing. Lighter wines simply can’t cut through the salty smokiness of the haddock and pancetta whilst the cheese and creamed leeks overpower all but the richest and oakiest whites. As a starter, however, an immense wine is sometimes a bit much.