When most people think about the Super Bowl, they think about drinking beer tucked in their beer cozies, watching commercials about beer, smelling beer and cleaning up beer cans after the party. But, if you’re a wine lover, please repeat this to yourself out loud: There is no reason I cannot drink wine at the Super Bowl party.
If you are bringing a dish, do yourself a favor and bring a wine that will complement it. Here are our easy bottle suggestions that you can find at just about any grocery store, based on what you likely will be eating.
- Wings
This is a tricky one, but it’s definitely possible. Wings are salty, savory, crispy, spicy, and once dipped in ranch, creamy all at the same time. We’re still talking about chicken here, so we’re going to go with a mellow, un-oaked chardonnay.
A chilled glass of Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay (approx. $17) will calm down the hot flavors in your mouth and gently clean your palette for the next bite.
Be careful to not go chugging this wine just because the wings are hot. Save that for when your team loses.
2. Guacamole
Honestly, if there isn’t a simple bowl of Tostitos and guacamole at the Super Bowl party, just leave.
On your way back home to plant yourself in front of the TV to watch the game in peace in your pajamas with your chips, salsa, guacamole and/or queso dip, grab a bottle of a crisp, grassy Oyster Bay New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (approx $18). This has a fair amount of acidity that will cut through the fatty texture of the avocado and ease the saltiness of the chips and your salty “friends” who did not have chips and guacamole at their “party.”
3. Pizza
Oh, pizza and red wine. It’s hard to go wrong with this combo. Ménage à Trois makes a great zinfandel (approx $15) with a perfect black pepper finish to top off that pepperoni. It’s like the Danny Amendola to Tom Brady’s flawless passes (yes, we went there).
4. Baked Potatoes
Whether it’s a baked potato, potato chips, or potato casserole, you can complement the starchy flavor with a jammy red blend like the Francis Ford Coppola Rosso (approx $13). This is a table wine that is rich, yet light enough to be a nice transition from the salt, cheese or bacon toppings we hope you’re putting on your potatoes.
5. Onion Rings
There may be onion rings, onion dip, or if you’re lucky, a blooming onion. No matter what form it’s in, a dry Viognier is a great pairing for that onion flavor and a nice switch up from chardonnay and pinot grigio. Our personal, local favorite right now is the Passion Cellars 2015 Viognier based out of Cochise County, Arizona, with very subtle peach and just the right amount of dryness.
