The One with the Killer Super Bowl Pairings
Updated: Feb 9, 2021
Hi, Corkers!
If you're new around here...welcome! I'm just your average Jane who happens to love wine and today I'm here to make all of your Super Bowl dreams come true (at least the dreams that center around food and beverage, that is!)
If you're anything like me, you're all about the big game because it's a reason to get together with friends (which I think we've all been needing more of in the last 12 or so months!), eat delicious snacks, and toss a few back. Oh! And the commercials, those are good to. And the halftime show, of course...(I guess there are more redeeming factors about the Super Bowl than I realized!)
No matter your reason for tuning in on Sunday, I'm here to share my list of top Super Bowl snacks paired with their perfect partner in wine. You may even convert some of your beer-drinking buddies to the dark side when they realize how amazing wines can taste when paired with these salty, cheesy, and downright festive foodstuffs.
1. Buffalo Chicken Dip or Buffalo Chicken Wings with off-dry Riesling: A good rule of thumb in pairing food and wine: the spicier the snack, the sweeter the wine. The residual sugar in the Riesling will work with the heat, not against it. Plus, the citrus and peachy notes will accentuate that tantalizing tangy flavor that makes buffalo sauce so addicting. The only problem you'll be facing now is getting sauce all over your stemware!
Wanting crispier baked wings? Use these pro tips and tricks!
-Dry the wings well using paper towels. The less moisture left in the skin, the crispier the chicken will be.
-For a nice crispy coating, add 2 tablespoons of aluminum-free baking power to your seasoning blend for every 4 lbs of chicken wings.
-Bake on a wire rack so the fat can drip off while the chicken cooks.
2. Seven-Layer Taco Dip OR Guacamole with Sauvignon Blanc: If you've never tried 7-layer taco dip, it's time to come out from under the rock and give this ever-popular potluck appetizer a try. Featuring layers of refried beans, sour cream/cream cheese/taco seasoning goodness, guacamole, salsa, cheese, green onion, lettuce, and black olives, this dip needs a crisp, white wine with high acid and herbal notes to compliment the many flavors you'll experience in each bite. Guacamole works wonders on Sauvy-B, too! And let's not forget the role of the corn chips...the salt brings out the very best features Sauvignon Blanc has to offer!
3. Pizza with Barbera: Pizza is a classic "party" food, and for a darn good reason! It carries acidity from the tomato, creaminess of the cheese, and a savory comfort in the crust. If you've heard the phrase "what grows together goes together", this is a great place to put it to use. Try an Italian wine like Chianti Classico (Sangiovese), Barbera, or Nebbiolo. You can't go wrong!
4. Cocktail Weenies with Tempranillo: Barbeque is one of those sauces that requires a big, bold wine to hold up against its intense savory flavors and Tempranillo is the perfect candidate for the job. This grape is Spain's top variety and produces wine bursting with notes of cherry, cedar, woodsmoke, and dill. Bring it on!
5. Piggies in a Blanket with Rose: Rose has a delightful acidity to it that cleanses the palate nicely after each bite of the hotdog/pastry goodness. Dunking your piggies in ketchup? The fruit in the rose will pair nicely with the tang there, too!
6. Minnesota Sushi with Picpoul de Pinet: I'm not sure what other states are calling this salty Superbowl snack, but it's a pickle wrapped in a cream-cheese-slathered slice of deli meat like pastrami or ham, then sliced like sushi. Pickles are so high in acidity, they need a wine that packs an equal punch, so why not go with the wine that literally translates to "stings the lips?" A nice chilled Picpoul won't get overpowered by this dilly delight.
7. Spicy Chili with Cava: We love our chili spicy around here, and with a meal that's packin' some serious heat, you want to go with a lower alcohol wine that won't leave your lips burning. Enter Cava: the sparkling wine of Spain. This bubbly beauty is made using the Traditional Method and often features the notes we tend to love in Champagne (think brioche, toast, and almond.) Plus, the fizz acts as a nice palate cleanser between each peppery bite!
8. Cheeseburger with Cabernet Sauvignon: Is there anything better than cheddar cheese with a bold Cabernet? I think not! The high tannins in this popular varietal break up the fat in the burger while the salt content accentuates all the notes we all love in a Cab: juicy plum, black currant, vanilla and mocha.
9. Crackers and Cheese: A good old fashioned cracker and cheese platter is extremely wine-friendly, but suggested pairings can vary depending on what your slicing up! Generally speaking, hard cheeses with more intensity pair nicely with full bodied varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon while soft, milder cheeses work nicely with crisp refreshers like Sauvignon Blanc. For more wine and cheese pairing suggestions, check out this blog post!
10 . Chocolate Chip Cookies with Ruby Port: It wouldn't be a proper party without dessert and the classic chocolate chip cookie seems to be a popular choice for the most epic football event in America. Port is the most well-known of fortified wines; the luscious fruit notes and pronounced sweetness hold up to the sugary cookies and create a chocolate-covered-cherry-like explosion in your mouth!
To wrap up, here's a common scenario: you're hosting a Super Bowl Soiree and have asked guests to bring sharables. How do you go about selecting wines to serve if you don't know what food will be on the table? No problem, Corkers; I've got you covered here, too! Choose 3-5 different varietals that are approachable and food friendly. Here's my suggested line-up:
Sparkling wine (Champagne, Cava, or Prosecco)
Crisp White (Sauvignon Blank or Pinot Grigio)
Rose
Light bodied, fruity red (Pinot Noir or Beaujolais)
Full bodied red (Cabernet Sauvignon, or Tempranillo)
Whether you're cheering on the Chiefs or the Bucaneers, enjoy a Sunday filled with satisfying snacks and mouth-watering wines.
Didn't see your favorite football food on this list? Drop a comment here and I will pair it for you!
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Cheers, Corkers! Until next time-
Jane Marie