Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or having an at-home date night, you may be looking for the perfect snack and wine pairing ideas. It can be difficult to choose the best snacks to enjoy along with different types of wine. I mean, which wine goes best with pizza rolls?
If you’re feeling stuck, don’t worry! This list will help you choose the perfect snacks to go along with whatever wine you choose. I’ve also researched which wines the experts recommend for each snack idea. Let’s take a look at some wine and food pairing options for your next get together.
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Wine Pairing With Snacks
There are certain foods that make a perfect pairing with certain types of wine. For example, most people know that steak goes great with Cabernet Sauvignon and fish tastes nice alongside Pinot Grigio.
When choosing snack and wine pairings, there are some combinations that might be more pleasing to your taste buds. However, the importance of pairing wines really is a personal choice.
Do You Have to Follow Wine Pairing Rules With Your Snacks?
There aren’t any wine police that are going to come and arrest you because you aren’t pairing the right wines with your snacks. And most of your guests probably aren’t going to notice if you grabbed the wrong bottle of wine to go along with your appetizers.
However, if you really want to impress and bring out the flavors of the snacks you’re serving, you can follow a few guidelines. Along with each snack idea, you’ll find a pairing suggestion. Whether you follow the suggestions or not is totally up to you. Try a few combinations out to see what you and your party prefer.
What If I’m Serving Multiple Types of Wine?
If you’re having more than one type of wine, which you probably will at a party or tasting, then it’s harder to control which snacks people are eating with their wine. In this case, you can make a pairing suggestion menu for your guests.
Or you can let them experiment on their own. Most foods are going to be okay with any type of wine. Expert pairings are made to bring out the flavor notes of wines and food. However, making a bad pairing usually will taste just fine too.
Snack Ideas That Go With Wine
Finding the perfect wine and snack pairings can be as simple as grabbing your favorite snack and your favorite bottle of wine.
However, if you’re looking for new ideas or need to serve a group, here are some easy snacks that go great with wine. You’ll find a list of snacks that go with wine along with recommendations on what type of wine to serve with each snack.
1. Soft Cheeses
Whether you’re creating cheese boards or adding them to a recipe, soft cheeses are a great option to serve with wine. Some popular soft cheese options you might want to try are mozzarella, feta, ricotta, goat cheese, brie, and blue cheese.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Fried mozzarella sticks paired with a Prosecco.
2. Hard Cheeses
Hard cheeses tend to be very flavorful and pair excellently with different wines. There are many to choose from, but some that you might want to snack on with your next bottle of wine might be cheddar, asiago, gruyere, manchego, or gorgonzola.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Gruyere cheese puffs paired with an off-dry Riesling.
3. Chips and Salsa
For a super simple and easy-to-make snack, chips and salsa is always a winner. Although you might be picturing a cold margarita to go alongside this snack, wine is also a great option. You can have a sweet wine with almost any of your favorite salty snacks for a great pairing.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Corn chips and traditional red salsa with a Chianti.
4. Fresh or Dried Fruit
Wine is made from fruit. So, of course it goes well with other fruits! For a light snack, pair either fresh or dried fruit with your glass of wine. You can have fruit by itself or use it as part of a charcuterie board for a night in or event.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Sangria with Pinot Noir and fruits like oranges, pineapple, and grapes.
5. Fresh Vegetables
For another light eating option, you can create a vegetable platter to snack on. You can eat easy finger food vegetables like carrots, celery, snap peas, radishes, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
A vegetable tray with Sauvignon Blanc.
6. Nuts
Nuts are an easy and quick snack that you can serve your guests with a glass of wine. They are also easy to incorporate with other snacks or add to a charcuterie board.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Mixed nuts with a crisp Chardonnay.
7. Finger Sandwiches
Finger sandwiches are a good choice for any gathering. You can dress them up or down and create them to suit most people’s tastes. Some easy favorites are cucumber, Italian, egg, or tuna finger sandwiches.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Cabernet Franc with roast beef finger sandwiches.
8. Pita Bread and Hummus
Who can resist a pita bread and hummus snack? This Mediterranean snack or appetizer is easy to put together and you can add on things like vegetables, cheeses, or meats.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
A hummus tray with a medium-bodied, dry Rosé.
9. Pizza Rolls
Pizza rolls are an easy snack that are lighter than sitting down with slices of pizza. You can make your own or indulge in store bought rolls. They are a great snack with a savory, earthy flavor that goes well with a bold red wine.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Pepperoni pizza rolls with a Shiraz.
10. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread can make for one of the best appetizers or snacks. It’s cheesy, garlicky, and delicious. Plus, it is a great choice to pair with wine. You can pair garlic bread with pretty much any of your favorite crisp white wines.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Sauvignon Blanc with toasted garlic bread.
11. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach artichoke dip is another great snack to have with a glass of wine. You can dip it with breads, chips, vegetables, or crackers making it very versatile.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Spinach artichoke dip with french bread and Pinot Grigio.
12. Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapeno poppers are a favorite appetizer. The spicy flavor of the jalapenos with cream cheese and bacon is irresistible.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Jalapeno poppers and a Riesling.
13. Cookies
If you have a sweet tooth, why not satisfy it with cookies and wine? With a perfect combination like that, you just can’t go wrong. The type of wine you choose will depend on they type of cookies you’re enjoying. However, a general rule is “the darker the dessert, the darker the wine”.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Chocolate chip cookies with Cabernet Sauvignon
14. Chocolate
Another great way to satisfy your craving for sweets is to break out the chocolate. You can enjoy the chocolate alone or combine it with your other favorite snacks. It’s hard to go wrong when pairing chocolate with wine. So, you’re pretty safe when making your selection.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
White chocolate covered strawberries with Moscato.
15. Chicken Wings
Getting back to savory snacks, chicken wings are perfect on their own or served with crunchy veggies and a glass of wine. You can offset spicy wings with sweet wines for a delicious combo.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Buffalo wings with a sweet Vouvray.
16. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Dates wrapped in bacon are a savory, sweet snack, appetizer, or dessert. This delicious combination goes perfectly with a glass of wine.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Bacon-wrapped dates with Cabernet Sauvignon.
17. Summer Sausage
A snack plate with summer sausage is always a crowd pleaser. Slice up some sausage along with some cheese and crackers and you have a complete charcuterie board.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Sliced summer sausage, cheddar cheese, and Pinot Noir.
18. Potato Chips
If you’re wondering if junk food can pair well with wine. It can! This is your permission to grab a bag of chips and open a bottle of wine and call it a pairing.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Sour cream and onion potato chips with a sweet Rosé.
19. Crab Cakes
Whether you whip up some crab cakes at home or purchase them as a ready-made snack, they are perfect to pair with a glass of wine.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Crab cakes and chardonnay.
20. Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are an elegant snack that can be served alone or as an appetizer before your meal. These savory treats are excellent alongside basically any red wine.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Stuffed mushrooms and Zinfandel.
21. Quesadillas
Another versatile snack food that is wine’s best friend is the quesadilla. Choose which kind of cheese to fill your tortilla with based on the wine of your choice.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Asadero quesadillas with Chardonnay.
22. Meatballs
You might not think of meatballs when thinking of a simple snack. However, they are packed with protein and are actually a perfect snack food. You can make them with different meats and seasonings to fit your mood.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Ground beef meatballs with marinara and Malbec.
23. Taquitos
Taquitos are an amazing Mexican snack. You can fill them with meat, cheese, and other toppings, roll them up, and back them for a crunchy appetizer. Pair your wine with the type of meat and cheese you decide to use.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Chicken and queso fresco with Sauvignon Blanc.
24. Crackers
Crackers are the ultimate lazy snack food. You don’t need to do anything except open them up. So, if you’re looking for something easy to eat with your wine, grab some crackers and a glass! You can add cheese or your favorite spread to add as well.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
White cheddar Cheez-Its and Rosé.
25. Popcorn
Popcorn isn’t just a snack for the movies. You can have it any time. Choose between savory and sweet flavors and pair them with rich or light wines.
Wine and Snack Pairing Idea
Caramel corn with Pinot Noir.
Wine and Snacks
As you can see, there is a perfect wine for all of your favorite snack foods. You can try buffalo wings with Vouvray, Sauvignon Blanc with garlic bread, or Cheez-Its and Rosé. Whether you’re treating yourself to a tasty treat or serving guests, this list should help you find the perfect snack and wine pairing.
Wine pairing is definitely a science. However, you shouldn’t feel like you always need to follow the rules. Try out some different pairings and see what you like best. This is a fun way to find your favorite combinations.
