Hut, hut, hike! Draft your fantasy leagues and stock up on gear for your favorite team because football season is finally upon us. Now if you’re a football fanatic like us, you know that the key to a great game day is a fun tailgate or viewing party with friends and family. (I mean, who doesn’t want to celebrate a touchdown with delicious snacks?”
As you gear up to be the hostess with the mostess this football season, you might be wondering how to set your menu. Which snacks will be sitting the bench, and which will be in your starting lineup? Don’t worry, we’re here to make sure you don’t fumble your next tailgate menu. Here are all of our favorite football snack & wine pairings.
Brut Bubbles and Tater Tots
Let’s kick off with a pairing for our 2020 Brut Bubbles. With notes of freshly-squeezed lemon, crisp apple, and a morning mist, this refreshing, sparkling dry wine pairs perfectly with fried foods. The saltiness of the tater tots balances the crisp acidity in this wine making it a delicious treat for game day.
Rosé Bubbles and Honey Garlic Wings
Wings are a tried and true gameday appetizer with dozens of loved seasonings, sauces, and pairings. To pair with our 2020 Rosé Bubbles, we recommend honey garlic wings. The sweet and sour flavors and crispy texture of the wings pairs nicely with our slightly sweet, bubbly wine with notes of fresh tropical fruits, wild flowers, and a juicy peach hue.
Chardonnay and Popcorn
Next up is our 2021 Chardonnay with notes of fragrant pear, lime blossom, and wet stone. The fresh fruit and citrus notes, along with a handful of salty, buttery, crunchy popcorn will be a touchdown with your guests. (Ps. If you want to spice it up a bit, try adding some seasoning to your popcorn like garlic chili lime, or parmesan).
Rosé and Spinach Artichoke Dip
Every viewing party needs a savory dip to round out the menu and spinach artichoke dip is always a fan favorite. This creamy, cheesy dip is filled with flavor and makes for the perfect pairing with our 2021 Rosé. The bright acidity of the Rosé complements the rich, hearty flavors of the dip. Your guests will not be able to keep their hands off of this combo.
Pinot Noir and Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are the staple of gameday BBQs. Trust us, there is no better way to get the grill masters off the couch for a halftime stretch than firing up the BBQ. For this, we recommend pairing it with our 2021 Pinot Noir, with bright fruit notes and a touch of vanilla spice. With endless selections of toppings, you can dress your dog to match any vibe- (notable mentions go out to jalapeños, spicy mustard, sweet relish, or pickled onions).
Red Blend and BBQ Pork
Last but not least, a pairing for our 2019 Red Blend. 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah, this juicy red wine pairs well with a rich and tangy BBQ sauce on spare ribs or pulled pork. Delicious, and fatty, BBQ pork is the perfect addition to any party. Our recommendation is to make pulled pork sliders with coleslaw and pickled jalapeños. This spicy and sweet combination complements the notes of bright blackberries and cracked peppercorn in the Red Blend.
So there you have it. The perfect football tailgate menu. Be sure to stock up on plenty of Just Enough wine before the next kickoff. If you try any of these pairings be sure to tag us @justenoughwines on Instagram!