Drink Up!
By David Setley
Mornings are cooler, the kids are back in school, and the beaches are less crowded. According to songwriter and performer Darius Rucker, “There are two seasons: football season and waiting for football season.” I know, I know, I know. I’m the wine guy; football fans drink beer! Well, not all of us.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good beer. However, in my experience, most beer drinkers do not match the style of beer (lager, stout, IPA, etc.) to what they are eating. Instead, they drink the style they prefer, perhaps changing things up seasonally. On the other hand, wine drinkers tend to pair their wines with their food. As we prepare for the starting weeks of the NFL season, allow me to offer wine pairings for the foods that many folks enjoy when settling in for a game: steak, burgers, tacos, brats, and veggie trays with queso dip.
Grilled food and football are a natural pair. Statistica.com reports that the favorite grilled food for over 50% of Americans is steak (34%) and burgers (19%). For steak or beef burgers, the perfect wine pairing is a good Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabs are full-bodied and well-balanced with dark, rich fruit flavors plus relatively high tannins and acidity that stand up well to the richness of these hearty entrees. Go with the Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet from California or the Intrinsic Cabernet from the Columbia Valley of Washington state. Both will give you the flavor I described above. For something different, try a Malbec from Argentina. The rich, dark fruit flavor and tannins are similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but with a touch of smoke and black pepper.
Tacos are a great football party food with nearly unlimited options. A taco bar that allows everyone to choose his or her own fillings is a surefire way to please everyone. For those who choose a steak or ground beef taco, a Spanish red, such as Tempranillo, would pair perfectly. Try the Volver Single Vineyard Tempranillo from the Tierra de Castillo. The flavors of ripe plums and cherries with notes of exotic spices will be a perfect complement. For those who prefer grilled fish tacos, the Nora Albariño from the Galicia region of Spain would be perfect. If you’re scooping in shredded chicken, the Avaline White Blend from Catalonia, Spain would be a great choice.
Bratwurst sausages on a roll (with or without cheese or sauerkraut) with a good quality mustard is a football-season favorite of mine. Those who know me may be thinking, “I thought you and your wife were vegetarian/pescatarians.” You are correct, but we have found some very nice plant-based brats that fit the bill nicely. Brats are one of those magical foods that pairs equally well with a lighter-bodied red or white wine. For a red wine, try the Oppenauer Zweigelt. If you are unfamiliar with the Zweigelt grape, it is one you will want to get to know. It is a light-bodied dry red wine with a red berry fruit flavor and a minerality that demonstrates the terroir of Austria. This is one of those reds that actually benefits from chilling it, making it a great porch wine as we head into locals’ summer at the Jersey Shore. If white is your preference, try the Mantlerhof Gruner Veltliner from Austria or the Leitz Weingut Rheingau Riesling from Germany.
A vegetable platter with dip has a place at many parties, often as a side or snack. Add a cheesy queso dip, and it can be hearty enough to be the main dish. Queso can be made with different cheeses and levels of spiciness. There are so many recipes online to choose from. For the vegetables, the classics are broccoli, cauliflower, baby carrots, bell peppers, radishes, and snap peas. Go with what you like and be creative, colorful, and in-season. For the wine, the options are limitless. A light white wine is a great choice for spicier dips. Pick up a Portuguese wine, like the Vera Vinho Verde or the Adega de Moncao-Vinho Verde Muralhas. Or choose the Antxiola-Txakolina Getariako from the Basque Country region of Spain. All of these are light and dry with the flavors of white peaches, green apples and a touch of coastal minerality. If you prefer a red, choose a rich, flavorful wine from the Alentejo region of southern Portugal such as the Encantado or the Adega Cartuxa-Evora Tinto.
Well, if you’re anything like me, you are now hungry and eagerly anticipating the return of the college football and NFL season. It’s a long season with many games and many opportunities to try something new with your favorite snacks. I hope this article encourages you, at the very least, to split your time between beer and wine as you enjoy your football festivities. Feel free to contact me with any questions, or let me know your favorite football food pairings, at dsetley@passionvines.com. Until next time, Happy Wining! (P.S., I know this is E-A-G-L-E-S country, but go Saints!)
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
