Plating the food you just DoorDashed counts as preparing a meal, right? Here are five of my favorite pairings for your next cozy night in.
Pizza & Cab Franc
Pizza and Cabernet Franc are a match made in heaven. The classic roasted red pepper notes of this savory medium-bodied red are a great compliment to any pizza. The high acidity ensures the wine can stand up to tomato sauces, and the herbal notes work beautifully with oregano, basil, or other Italian herbs.
My pick: Pride Mountain Sonoma County Cab Franc - savory and irresistible.
Sushi & This Campania-Inspired White Blend
Not in the mood for Sake? Try this unique white blend of Greco, Falanghina, and Fiano, inspired by the wines of Campania. This light and zesty Italian-inspired California wine features sky-high acidity and pleasant notes of tart green apples and spice such as white pepper. The mouthwatering acidity ensures it’ll cut through the richer elements of your roll, and the refreshing character will help offset any spiciness.
My pick: Massican Gemina, Napa Valley
Tacos & Sancerre
With bold and limey tacos, you’ll need a fresh, higher acid wine with a citrus finish - cue Sancerre. This gorgeous dry white wine is a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. It carries notes of lemon, zingy pink grapefruit, and a bright minerality, with a more restrained and elegant character than a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. My recommendation: Domaine du Nozay. This wine delivers on all the refreshing notes you expect from Sancerre, and will be sure to elevate your taco takeout.
My pick: Domaine du Nozay Sancerre, Loire, France 2023
Burgers & Bandol
If you’re enjoying a rich bacon burger, you’ll need a bold, meaty, smoky wine to go alongside it. Mourvèdre is an excellent choice, with notes of game, freshly cracked black pepper, and tobacco. I’d recommend Bandol, a small appellation in Provence that produces deep and bold Mourvèdres.
My pick: Domaine Tempier Bandol 'Lulu & Lucien', Provence, France 2020
Thai & Riesling
Thai food is all about finding that perfect balance between sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy. Selecting the perfect pairing is also a balancing act, and Riesling hits all the marks. Spiciness in your Thai dish is going to elevate your perception of alcohol in your wine, and a lower-alcohol white wine will ensure you don’t get too much heat from your bite. Sweetness and bitterness in your dish will make your wine seem less fruity, so picking a flavorful, fruity Riesling will help offset that effect. You can’t go wrong with the J. B. Becker Riesling; from the small, prestigious slopes of Rheingau, this wine has expressive, juicy stone fruit notes with a lingering mineral finish.
My pick: J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Alte Reben Riesling Spatlese Trocken, Rheingau, Germany 2022
