The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Wine With Super Bowl Food

Whether your team earned a spot in it or not, celebrating the Super Bowl is more than what's happening on the field. An American tradition for over 50 years, this championship game has become an annual excuse to prepare an indulgent spread, pour your favorite adult beverage, and kick back on the couch.

Though wings and beer dominate most viewing parties, we were curious about the wine, so we asked sommelier Laura Burgess to help us find the perfect varietals for game day. Pair our top-rated bottles with these favorite Super Bowl snacks.

01 of 15

Buffalo Chicken Wings: Albariño

A peach and lemon-scented Albariño from Spain tames the flames of spicy buffalo sauce. Plus, the varietal’s high acidity helps cut through the greasiness of fried chicken wings.
Try: Martin Codax Albariño

02 of 15

Barbecue Chicken Wings: Grenache

If your wings are drenched in a sweet, smoky barbecue sauce, try a wine that’s equally flavorful. A juicy grenache offers hints of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry to contrast thick, peppery sauces and highlight the tang of vinegar-based sauces.
Try: Thacher Grenache

03 of 15

Spinach & Artichoke Dip: Grüner Veltliner

This Austrian white has fresh citrus and pear flavors that help elevate the earthy spinach. Its natural acidity is a welcome chaser to a rich, creamy spinach-artichoke dip.
Try: Schloss Halbturn Koenigsegg Velt. 1 Grüner Veltliner

04 of 15

Pulled Pork: Zinfandel

This light red is low in tannins, which means it won’t overpower the intricate flavors of slow-roasted pork. Fruit-forward notes—like jammy raspberry, tart cherry, and fresh blackberry—complement the flavors of barbecue sauce, too.
Try: Limerick Lane Estate Grown Zinfandel

05 of 15

Mac and Cheese: Chardonnay

Decadent and cheesy mac and cheese meets its match in Chardonnay. Golden apple flavors help cleanse the palate between each rich bite.
Try: Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay

06 of 15

Potato Skins: Sparkling Wine

With so many delectable flavors—earthy potatoes, salty bacon, tangy sour cream, fresh scallions—finding the right pairing can be a challenge. But effervescence helps run interference between the fatty and spicy elements, while citrus and apple flavors brighten the best of this game-day classic. Feel free to pair your bubbly with potato chips, too. (We swear by Cape Cod brand.)
Try: Veuve Clicquot Brut

07 of 15

Pizza: Barbera

Considered an everyday wine in Northern Italy, the light tannins and bright cherry flavors of Barbera complement a wide range of pies, from veggie to meat lovers. It's our go-to pizza wine.
Try: Vietti Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne

08 of 15

7-Layer Bean Dip: Beaujolais

Made from the gamay grape, this light-bodied red wine bursts with wild berry aromas but is still clean, crisp, and dry. It’s the perfect answer to the trifecta of creamy, spicy, and tangy flavors in this classic party dip.
Try: J. M. Aujoux Claire Chanté Vieilles Vignes

09 of 15

Beef Sliders: Syrah

This rich, full-bodied varietal’s smoky tones complement char-grilled beef burgers. Plum and blackberry flavors with hints of earthy spice round out each bite.
Try: Dusty Nabor Syrah

10 of 15

Hummus and Veggies: Pinot Grigio

Like our favorite hummus (whether smeared on a pita, cracker, or veggies), Pinot Grigio is light and bright. A hint of lemon showcases the citrus and sesame flavors of this dip.
Try: The Four Graces Pinot Gris

11 of 15

Guacamole: Sauvignon Blanc

This spicy, citrusy, fatty dip needs something to brighten the citrus notes of the lime but cut through the oils of the avocado, according to sommelier Alex White of Monello, a Minneapolis restaurant. If guacamole and chips are on your table, he suggests a Sauvignon Blanc from a coastal area like Chile, where the sea spray adds salinity to the wine, making all the wonderful flavors of the food and wine pop like an umami explosion.
Try: Casa Silva Sauvignon Blanc

12 of 15

Smoked Ribs: Montepulciano d'Abbruzzo

No matter how you like your ribs—BBQ sauce, dry rub, or naked—the fruit-forward notes of Montepulciano enhances them. The mountainous region of Abbruzzo (in southeastern Italy) provides this big-bodied wine with great acidity, which works magic when paired with the richness of slow-cooked pork.
Try: Gran Sasso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

13 of 15

Mozzarella Sticks With Marinara: Malbec

The dryness and fruity notes of Malbec perfectly complement the epic duo of mozzarella sticks and marinara. This wine is dark violet in color with a rich nose of berry, coffee, and herb.
Try: El Esteco 2017 Malbec

14 of 15

Chili: Lambrusco

The subtle sweetness of Lambrusco balances out even the spiciest chili. This lively, semi-sparkling red sells at an approachable price, making it a staple wine for any holiday party host.
Try: Riunite Lambrusco

15 of 15

Pimento Cheese: Cabernet Sauvignon

The peppery tang and creamy texture of pimento cheese pairs perfectly with a bold, balanced, and full-bodied red like California Cabernet. You'll find elements of heat, spice, and richness in both parties.
Try: Trinchero Napa Valley Mario's Cabernet Sauvignon

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