Not all food and wine pairings have to be fancy, fussy, or expensive. Things like Champagne and oysters, and steak and Cabernet Sauvignon might come to mind when you think of traditional and proper wine and food pairings. But sometimes you want to enjoy a good old-fashioned snack with a little vino. Below are three simple wine-paired snack combinations to make your mouth water! With (almost) no preparation required.
Salty Snacks and Sparkling Wine
This one is so simple; you won’t even believe me. Salty snacks such as plain potato chips, salted nuts, and a simple popcorn need a wine with high acid to balance the salt. Sparkling wine is known for having high acid, and that acid is a perfect foil to these salted foods. Remember, not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne is made in the Champagne region of France and is known for being quite spendy. There is a plethora of sparkling wine made in the same method as Champagne, but for a fraction of the price. Marqués de Cáceres Cava Brut NV is a perfect example at a wallet-friendly $15 a bottle. The wine is fresh, effervescent, and lovely with your salty treats.
Tipsy Mix and a Wine of Your Choice
Warning: fool proof pairing ahead! We all love trail mix, every bite is a surprise with tasty, delectable flavors and textures. Tipsy Mix is the first trail mix that is blended with wine pairing in mind. Think cinnamon-coated walnuts and dark chocolate-covered raisins that go perfectly with a bold, full-bodied red wine such as Domaine Bousquet Gran Organic Cabernet Sauvignon ($18). There are six flavors of trail mix to pair back to six different styles of wine.
Baked Brie and a Light-Bodied Red Wine
The ubiquitous (and delicious) baked brie can be found on many tables this holiday season. It is perhaps the easiest appetizer to whip up that looks like you spent more time on it than you actually did! Take a wheel of brie, add something sweet (i.e., berries or preserves), and if you’re feeling frisky, you can even add a spring of rosemary or a handful of chopped nuts. Bake until the brie is golden bubbly, and voila! This dish pairs perfectly with a light-bodied red wine such as La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($28) to balance the richness of the brie.