“Beer and football may go together like wine and cheese. But lately more and more people seem be favoring a Bordeaux over a Bud Light.”
– “Wine Here! A Football Bud Gets Competition”, New York Times, Jan 31, 2016
It’s almost time for The Big Game, kicking off this Sunday, February 2nd (6:30pmET/3:30pmPT). And while wings and beer are as much an American tradition as the game itself, wine is becoming more and more popular as the drink of choice for sports fans. So, if you prefer pinot noirs to pilsners, check out our picks for the best wine pairings to go with your Big Game snacks this Sunday.
FRENCH DIP SLIDERS
Enjoy a twist on a classic game-day recipe— sliders. The roast beef, caramelized onions, and provolone cheese pack a ton of flavor. When dipped in the au jus, this recipe makes a snack that your family and friends will devour in seconds. Pair these french dip sliders with a bold Cabernet such as the 2017 Roth Cabernet Sauvignon.
Recipe via Delish
CHEESY BACON SPINACH DIP
You can’t watch the Big Game without chips and dip of some kind. Try this cheesy bacon spinach dip, but instead of serving it with chips, try a warm, toasted baguette for a sophisticated spin on chips and dip. A tannic red blend pairs seamlessly with the fattiness of the cheese and bacon which is why we highly recommend the 2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed.
Recipe via Delish
SMOKY GUACAMOLE
Guacamole is another staple and it’s also vegetarian-friendly. This guacamole is made with traditional ingredients; however, the avocados are grilled for only a few minutes to impart a smoky flavor. Serve with tortilla chips on the side and pair with a crisp white wine such as the 2017 Foley Johnson Estate Sauvignon Blanc.
Recipe via Good Housekeeping
FRIED RAVIOLI WITH MARINARA
You’ve probably had regular ravioli as a dinner entrée, but have you tried fried ravioli? In this recipe, your favorite ravioli is coated in seasoning and breadcrumbs and fried to perfection. This crispy snack can be dunked into marinara or ranch— and the best part? No utensils are needed. An appetizer like this needs a wine that can handle the acidity of the marinara sauce and the creamy cheese, which is why 2016 Kuleto Estate Sangiovese is a perfect match.
Recipe via Yellow Bliss Road
BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA
Pizza is an easy dish to make that serves a lot of people, which is why we recommend this BBQ Chicken Pizza for your game-day festivities. The tanginess of the BBQ sauce and the different cheeses creates a flavor combination that’ll be a hit among your guests. Pair this classic pizza with a Zinfandel like the 2016 Foley Sonoma Oz Zinfandel.
Recipe via Delish
Order now through 1/28/2020 at 11:59PM and enter coupon code BIGGAME at checkout to score $10 2-day air shipping on orders of 12 or more bottles or find these wines at a store near you.