The sports fan's wine and food pairings guide

The sports fan's wine and food pairings guide

There's a chill in the air and winter sports are gearing up. It's time for parties, and even better, party food. Although beer is the typical drink du jour, wine lovers don't have to take a back seat. Sports fans can enjoy wine with their sports snacks. Here, we offer play-by-play food and wine pairings for the three most popular snacks.

Buffalo wings

Most buffalo wings have at least a little bit of a kick, so lighter wines are a good pairing. Lambrusco, for instance, is an often overlooked red wine that's very light, sparkly, very low alcohol content, and can be sweet or dry. A red or white Zinfandel can also suffice nicely, and Sauvignon Blanc will also help cleanse the palate without clashing with the bleu cheese dip. Sweet wines like Cava or Gewurztraminer will help balance out the "fire" of buffalo wings, and champagne is another option that's even recommended by some restaurants! Experiment and have fun, keeping in mind the principle of balancing sweet and hot.

Seven layer dip

There is some debate over this. It is a salty, Spanish-influenced, addicting snack, and will leave party guests very thirsty. With that in mind, it would seem the most natural pairing is a light, refreshing, fruity wine like Pinot Noir or Gewurztraminer. However, the seven layer dip is also a very heavy, filling dish with beans, sour cream, and lots of cheese. Some may consider that further justification for a light, refreshing wine, but some prefer a heavy wine that can hold its own against the heavy appetizer. Red Zinfandel offers a hint of berries with strong tannins while White Zin offers the same sweet flavor with a lighter, more refreshing body. It may be a good idea to offer both to party guests so they can choose either one offers the sweetness needed to perfectly offset the salty snack.

Chips and salsa

There is plenty of variety in the salsa world, and the type of salsa can really dictate the type of wine served. Sparkling wine like a Rose Cava or Champagne is generally a good bet across all categories of salsa. A milder salsa may pair well with Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay can help balance the fire of spicier salsa with ingredients like roasted peppers, and Zinfandel can also do the trick. A semi-dry or off-dry Riesling often pairs very well with Mexican food.

When it comes to pairing wine with snack food, remember some of the old rules of thumb. For instance, pair sweeter wines with spicier foods and heavier wines with heavier food. But ultimately, it's all about experimentation and having fun! Good wine and food pairings are often a matter of opinion, and there's no telling what fabulous combo you may discover if you let your taste buds lead the way. Although beer and liquor often have a place of honor at sports parties, there is a place for wine. So listen to suggestions, arrange your own taste tests, then go for the goal!

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