If you’re on the social network Pinterest, chances are you use it to search for recipes, perhaps food and wine pairings. Then, inevitably fitness and weight loss tips.
Every year in January, my most popular pin – shared a whopping 77 times in one day last week, and approaching 2500 total shares – is an infographic called “Game Day Wine Pairings.” It is a colourful list of what to drink with your Super Bowl snacks. So, if you are prepping for the big day already, here are a few suggestions for your menu and bevvies; note, I consulted a Cowboys fan for guidance.
Chips and dip: ideally, one would get plain, salted chips and then be creative with the dips. Rippled chips are recommended for their strength and your standard French onion type dip. The sweet, savoury, salty flavour of the dip lends itself to a white wine that can cut through the fattiness. A Pinot Gris or unoaked Chardonnay.
Serving salsa? A dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, especially if you have some guacamole on the side.
I’m told that a tray of veggies and ranch dip is acceptable. Viognier or Pinot Noir should do, or a sparkling wine like Cava or Prosecco.
Pizza? Depends on the toppings, but if it’s a meaty, cheesy, loaded pie, a red wine is probably in order, on the heavier side, like a Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon, which can also pair well with chilli, or anything covered in chilli – nachos, hot dogs.
As for chicken wings, the flavour/sauce should dictate a drink pairing, but the advice I received and pass on: not wine. Why? Your hands will be greasy, therefore it will be difficult to grab a wine glass without possibly causing spillage. Seems logical. Therefore, beer. In a can.
Finally, pigs in a blanket, or their relative, sausage rolls. Again, beer. And according to several self-proclaimed experts, an IPA style or a brew that is not too hoppy.
What will I be drinking during the final NFL playoffs and the big game? Probably a nice hot tea spiked with lemon while waiting for the halftime show.
January 13 to 23, SunPeaks Resort: #SunPeaksWineFest, the winter edition of the Okanagan Wine Festivals features numerous wine and food tastings, seminars, and more.
www.thewinefestivals.com/events/festival_extended/4
January 23, Craft Corner Kitchen, Penticton: Okanagan-Wide Cocktail Competition. Bartenders and mixologists from throughout the Okanagan. Watch it all in action.
January 31, Firehall Brewery, Oliver: Vinyl Brewsday. Chef Jeff Van Geest of Miradoro Restaurant takes a break from the kitchen to DJ his “collection of wax.”
January 18 to February 5, various locations: Dine Around the Thompson Okanagan features 40 restaurants with menus from $15 to $45. Visit a favourite or try a new spot.
January 24, Kelowna Yacht Club: Women of Wine lunch presented by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, with three women leaders in wine – Ann Sperling, Elaine Triggs, and Sandra Oldfield. Moderated by John Schreiner.
www.kelownachamber.org/events/Women-of-Wine-Luncheon-Panel-1932/details
February 11 to 19, Vancouver: Vancouver International Wine Festival. This year’s theme country is Canada; if you’ve never been to any of the dozens and dozens of events, this is the year to go.
Allison Markin is the food and libations columnist for the Penticton Western News. She can be reached at Allison@AllSheWrote.ca and on Twitter @OkanaganTaste.