The Ultimate Wine Pairings for Your Favorite Super Bowl Foods
Take your game day spread to the next level.
Whether your home team has a spot on the field or not, celebrating the Super Bowl is about more than what plays are being made. An American tradition for over 50 years, the 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. Here, top-rated bottles that complement your favorite Super Bowl snacks.
1
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 wings.
Try: Martin Codax Albariño
2
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
3
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 rich creamy dips.
Try: Schloss Halbturn Koenigsegg Velt. 1 Grüner Veltliner
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4
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
5
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
6
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
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7
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
8
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
9
Beef Sliders: Syrah
This rich, full-bodied varietal’s smoky tones complement char-grilled beef. Plum and blackberry flavors with hints of earthy spice round out each bite.
Try: Dusty Nabor Syrah
10
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 the dip.
Try: The Four Graces Pinot Gris
11
Guacamole: Sauvignon Blanc
According to Sommelier Alex White of Monello in Minneapolis, this spicy, citrusy, fatty dip needs something that will brighten the citrus notes of the lime but cut through the oils of the avocado. Try a Sauvignon Blanc from a coastal area like Chile, where the sea spray adds a salinity to the wine that makes all the wonderful flavors of the food and wine pop like an umami explosion.
Try: Casa Silva Sauvignon Blanc
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12
Smoked Ribs: Montepulciano d'Abbruzzo
BBQ sauce, dry rub, or naked. However you like your ribs, they will be enhanced by the fruit-forward notes of Montepulciano. The mountainous region of Abbruzzo in Southeastern Italy provides the big-bodied wine with great acidity, which works magically when paired with the richness of slow-cooked pork.
Try: Gran Sasso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
13
Mozzarella Sticks With Marinara: Malbec
The dryness and fruity notes of Malbec perfectly complement the epic duo of mozz and marinara. This wine is dark violet in color with a rich nose of berry, coffee, and herb.
Try: El Esteco 2017 Malbec
14
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
Pimento Cheese: Cabernet Sauvignon
The peppery tang and creamy texture of pimento cheese will pair 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