When you think of food and wine pairings, cheese and charcuterie instantly come to mind. But in the new year, we’re all looking for ways to be a bit healthier, and that includes with what we eat and drink. Below are a few of my favorite healthy snacks that effortlessly pair with wine. Don’t be afraid to try something new, because you never know what might knock your socks off!
Ceviche and Albariño
Ceviche is a delicious appetizer made with raw seafood (can be fish or shrimp) cured or cooked with lemon or lime juice. Other ingredients include cilantro, onion, and jalapeño if you want a kick. Albariño Spanish white wine is the perfect pairing with ceviche due to its high acid and salinity. The acidity in the wine matches the acidity with the lemon, and the salinity in the wine plays well with the salinity and brininess of the seafood. I love this Bodega Valtea Albariño ($16) with a fresh bowl of ceviche. Serve your ceviche with tortilla chips or individual endive leaves if you’re moderating your carbs.
Mediterranean Dips and a Rhône-Style Red Blend
I don’t know about you, but I could make a meal out of Mediterranean dips such as hummus, tzatziki, baba ghanoush, and muhammara. The flavors and textures make my mouth sing, especially when they’re made fresh! A great pairing for Mediterranean dips is a light-bodied Rhône-style red blend. An oldie but goodie is the Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant ($17.99) that is light, zippy, peppery, and spicy. Serve it with a slight chill for something different!
Tipsy Mix Wine-Paired Trail Mix and Any Wine!
Tipsy Mix is the wine paired snack you’ve been waiting for. If you’ve ever found yourself on the couch eating a chocolate bar and drinking a rich glass of red wine, or enjoying some mixed nuts with a glass of Prosecco, Tipsy Mix is for you.
Tipsy Mix features high-quality and healthy “trail mix style” ingredients; think Macadamia nuts, lemon cream yogurt covered pretzels, dried red cherries, and Oregon hazelnuts. The best part is that there is a flavor for every wine with the pairing listed right on the package. Whether you enjoy serving high end wines like Silver Oak, or affordable wines like Barefoot, there’s a Tipsy Mix that pairs perfectly with any wine you drink.