Does it suck that our beloved Philadelphia Eagles lost the Wild Card game to the Saints a few weeks ago? Yes, it does, but the Eagles gave us a season to be proud of…and a whole lot to look forward to next year. Even though it stinks not having our team in the Super Bowl, life goes on. Football. Goes. On.
Personally, I’m rooting for the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Why? Because I’ve always liked Peyton Manning. He’s an outstanding athlete and a class-act guy, but that’s neither here nor there. Regardless of who you’ll be cheering on, you’ll most likely be doing so at a Super Bowl Party. This leads to the age-old question, ‘what do I serve?’ I can help with that.
Most people think that football and beer go hand-in-hand. Now, I like beer just as much as the next guy, but there’s more to life than beer. In addition, if you’re hosting a party, you need variety for your guests. Here are some pairing recommendations that will be sure to please the toughest wine snobs or even those who swear they don’t like wine.
- Chips & Guacamole – This pairs really well with a Chardonnay, like Auburn Road’s The White Bottle or Paradocx Chardonnay. The wonderful flavors and aroma of Chardonnay will complement the avocado nicely, while the acidity is a great accompaniment to the lime.
- Sliders – When paired with Auburn Road’s Good Karma, sliders will be a huge hit! Good Karma is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. It’s very similar to a Pinot Noir and is ridiculously good with the classic American burger.
- Buffalo Wings – I’m sure you’re more accustomed to wings and beer – and that works, too! – but, do you know what else goes well with wings? Pinnacle Ridge’s Riesling. The sugar in the Riesling helps to tame the spice of the wings. They balance each other out and will have your guests coming back for seconds…and thirds!
- Nachos – This Super Bowl staple goes really well with sparkling wine, like the Cuvee Chardonnay from Pinnacle Ridge or the slightly effervescent Sole from Auburn Road. Since nachos tend to have a little bit of everything in them, you want a versatile wine that can really hold up. The light, crisp, refreshing flavors of both these wines make them the perfect choice.
- Pizza – What else would you pair pizza with than the ultimate pizza wine? Pinnacle Ridge refers to their Quaff as a “pizza wine”. This unique blend of Chambourcin and barrel-aged Pinot Noir has the perfect amount of oakiness with a hint of sweetness. Try it. You’ll be glad you did.
Don’t get me wrong, you still need beer for your Super Bowl bash as well. Again, variety is the spice of life. Any light beer will go well with the foods mentioned above. On average, light beers are the most popular beers on the market and, since many people are still sticking to their New Year’s Resolutions, light beer will be a popular choice for your party. So, what other beers should make the cut? Pale Ales and Stouts are always a good choice and, in my opinion, nothing beats a good Hefeweizen (wheat beer). Comment below or send me an e-mail directly (address is shown in the bio below), and I’ll be happy to suggest some of my favorite beers. You can even make a beer cocktail, like an orange shandy, for you and your guests to enjoy. You can find that recipe (and a bunch of other great Super Bowl recipes) here: Martha Stewart’s Super Bowl snacks: Sliders, cocktails, more.
The key to any great party is to have a good time, but having excellent food and drinks sure doesn’t hurt! I hope you like the picks above. All of the wines mentioned are available for purchase online or at Pinot Boutique, so come by to pick them up before your party. If you have any questions, our staff will be happy to help.
Enjoy the big game, everyone! Here’s hoping that, this time next year, the City of Brotherly Love will be buzzing with excitement for an Eagles playoff run. A girl can dream, right?