Food and wine pairing is always a popular topic here at Uncorked, but I haven't written much about comfort food and wine. After a stressful day, you may find yourself longing for your grandmother's apple pie or an intense desire for mashed potatoes and gravy. Why not pair one of these classics with a glass of wine?
I am asked a lot (in secrecy) what wine would I pair with many of our soothing cravings.
My guidelines are the same for any pairing, whether we're talking perfectly cooked steak, a cheese platter, chocolate array or meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
Dry white wines with refreshing acidity — sauvignon blanc, dry Riesling, pinot gris, chardonnay, chenin blanc, viognier and albarino — are ideal to pair with almost any menu item.
Off-dry wines such as gewurztraminer and some Rieslings are good options as well. Just be sure to avoid wines with cloying sweetness.
Successful pairings work because of the acidity and most importantly for our comfort foods, the salt. The list was created from some of my favorites as well as some of my readers.
Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
2018 Vigneti Del Sol Montepulciano, Italy (about $13 retail)
Peanut Butter and Jelly
NV Gruet Brut Rosé Sparkling, New Mexico (about $20 retail)
Barbecued Pork Sandwich
2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling, Washington (about $13 retail)
Macaroni and Cheese
2018 Domaine Dupeuble Beaujolais, France (about $15 retail)
Pizza
2018 Banfi Chianti Classico, Italy (about $16 retail)
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
2017 Michael David Inkblot Cabernet Franc, California (about $40 retail)
Chicken Pot Pie
2018 Famega Vinho Verde Blanco, Portugal (about $9 retail)
Sloppy Joes
2018 Sean Minor 4 Bears Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $13 retail)
Tuna Melt
2018 Gabbiano Pinot Grigio, Italy (about $11 retail)
Shrimp and Grits
2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer, Washington (about $13 retail)
Pot Roast
2018 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Label Merlot, California (about $15 retail)
Chicken and Waffles
NV Conquilla Cava Brut, Spain (about $16 retail)
Spaghetti and Meatballs
2018 Da Vinci Chianti Riserva, Italy (about $22 retail)
Beef Stew
2018 Green & Red Tip Top Syrah, California (about $26 retail)
Lorri Hambuchen is a member of London's Institute of Wines and Spirits. Contact her at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203, or email:
uncorked@thewinecenter.com
Food on 03/18/2020