Super Bowl Pairings
According
to the USDA, Super Bowl Sunday is the second-biggest day for pigging out, after
Thanksgiving. So, it’s time for AWS members to show that bold, hearty wine is a
far better match than light beer for the snacks that go with watching 400-pound
linemen bash each other for 60 minutes.
Compared
to Thanksgiving dinner, Super Bowl snacks tend to be more flavorful, with
Buffalo wings replacing turkey and jalapeño cheese dip taking the place of
cranberries. So, it’s up to us, the wine fans, to demonstrate that our beverage can handle a pepperoni
pizza just as well as a Poulet Bonne Femme.
Here
are some popular Super Bowl foods to pair and make our point.
Spicy Buffalo wings
The defining
Super Bowl treat, especially if they’re from Archie’s on Carson Street, or any
of the Quaker Steak and Lube locations. These will be great with off-dry Riesling,
under the rule that sweetness soothes spice.
Try: Dr
Konstantin Frank Semi Dry Riesling Finger Lakes 2016 000049220
Beef and
Bean Chili
Calls
for hearty, fruity red zinfandel, which has the spiciness to stand up to the
heat.
Try: Josh
Cellars Zinfandel Lodi 000001494
The Salty and Crunchy Stuff
Peanuts,
potato chips, Cheetos, trail mix, tortilla chips and all these types of snacks
need to have the cold, bubbly, inexpensive Italian sparkling wine called Prosecco.
Try: La
Marca Prosecco Italy 000003636
Guacamole and Creamy Dips
From
bleu cheese to onion to artichoke, these dips are rich enough to match a big,
buttery California chardonnay.
Try: B
R Cohn Silver Label Chardonnay Russian River Valley 000001482
Tomato Salsa
With
red onion, cilantro, jalapeños and such, the spicy tang is nicely matched by a
fruity, dry rosé.
Try: Bonny
Doon Vineyard Vin Gris de Cigare Rose 2016 000074898
Hot Dogs
Tube
steaks, meatball subs, 6-foot-long deli sandwiches and muffulettas all call for
a soft, fruity red wine like Australian shiraz.
Try: 19
Crimes Shiraz Australia 000002055
Bacon Wrapped
Mini Sausages
“Pigs
in a blanket” around here. These little
delights need a light red wine such as Chianti.
Try: Carpineto
Chianti Classico Riserva 000001211
Chocolate
Brownies,
chocolate-chip cookies and chocolate cake call for a great match with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Honest. The wine below is one of Rob’s
favorites.
Try: Educated
Guess Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015 000016884
Cupcakes
These
aren’t traditional Super Bowl food, but, if you like them, make it a point to
eat one this year. I predict that by next year the Cupcake Era will be gone,
replaced by gourmet doughnuts or Stroopwafel.
For all of these, a sweet Moscato is ideal.
Get the big box!
Try: Fish
Eye Moscato Australia 3L 000005318
Check the Blog often for news, tasting notes, and tips.
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