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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

It's Super Bowl Time


Get set with your chips, Buffalo wings and drinks and relax! Admit it. When it comes to watching football on TV, if you’re like me, you'd rather uncork a bottle of wine than sip a micro-brew. The big game can definitely embrace both wine and traditional game-day snacks. While beer has had a long history with the big game, more and more armchair quarterbacks are opting to enjoy the game with wine. But which wine goes with wings, nachos and hot dogs? When it comes to the Super Bowl foods here are some pairing tips.

Wine with Spicy Buffalo Wings and Chili
Buffalo wings, typically accompanied by creamy blue cheese dressing, are a Super Bowl staple, but what wine can handle the spice of this combo? Consider a Spanish Cava, an American Zinfandel or a Riesling to offset some of the spice. If you've got chili or a chilidog, then grab a glass of Merlot or Chianti, which can handle the mix of cheese, meat, tomatoes and fiery spice.

Wine with Pizza
If there’s pizza at the party, wine makes a wonderful partner! Pizza presents a fun pairing challenge because, really, it's all about the toppings. The tomato sauce can be tricky. You’ll want a high acid wine but not one that will overpower the pie. Mushrooms deserve an earthy Pinot Noir and sausage goes well with Chianti. But if whites are your weakness, go with a crisp, cool-climate Pinot Grigio, which makes for a surprisingly good match-up.

Wine with Chips and Nachos
Believe it or not, but most sparkling wines are amazing with salty chips. A light sparkling wine will also handle cheesy nachos especially if there is a bit of spice to them. If you’re not the bubbly type, you could also turn to Riesling, often a favorite pick with spicy Indian and Thai foods. This aromatic and fruit forward wine will cut through nacho salt and spice nicely. Lemon or Lime flavored Tortilla chips needs a high-acid white like Sauvignon Blanc to compete with their intensity of flavor.

Wine with Veggies and Dip
There isn't a Super Bowl party out there that won't have a cheesy, creamy dip in the mix. Any dip containing sharp cheddar, Goat cheese or Gruyère will pair nicely with a zesty Sauvignon Blanc. For those opting for the healthy veggie plate and creamy ranch dip, a fruity Merlot or an herb-based Sauvignon Blanc should fit the bill.

If by halftime your team is ahead by a comfortable margin, head over to the ice-box and bring out a bottle of sparkling wine. The nice thing about bubbles is that they are extremely food-friendly and manage to turn up the volume on just about any dish.

It’s not just pub grub - It’s Super Bowl Sunday treats. Enjoy!