Buffalo wings! An impossible food-wine pairing
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Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, a giantly patriotic dish showcasing American innovation: Buffalo wings!
Is it impossible to pair wings with wine? You make the call! (And don’t forget the blue cheese dip.)
Related: “Betting wine for football.”
“Impossible food-wine pairings: chips and salsa!”
UPDATE: Thanks, Mark, for pointing out the “classic” wine pairing!
Image: istockphoto.com
Jan
30
2008
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On January 30th, 2008 at 11:18 pm ,Saul M wrote:
Beer! and given the time of year (its Imperial IPA season) Troeg’s Nugget Nectar or Bell’s Hopslam would do wonderfully, though something with a bit tamer profile might be a more reasonable bet.
On January 31st, 2008 at 9:30 am ,tom wrote:
Bonny Doon Vin Gris — or a Zinfandel (Ridge, Rosenblum, JC Cellars) — Zin is an all-american, buffalo wing kind of wine……….
On January 31st, 2008 at 9:37 am ,Gregg wrote:
I’m with Saul. But if wine it must be, then how about a nice chewy Syrah.
On January 31st, 2008 at 9:48 am ,Raul wrote:
I’d go with a party wine. Go with Lambrusco. The sweetness will let you spice it up, and it will not ignore the blue cheese. Wings and a chilled red. Think about it.
On January 31st, 2008 at 10:07 am ,Sonadora wrote:
Personally I like a nice crisp white with wings…I’d say a Sauvignon Blanc, I like that it chills the spice out, refreshes my palate, and still works with the blue cheese for me. I’m loving the ones from Chile and South Africa these day.
On January 31st, 2008 at 10:08 am ,JdW wrote:
Mmmmmmmm……. Nugget Nectar, I agree, a nice hoppy zippy IPA is perfect with spicy buffalo wings. Also a good Riesling Kabinett like Leitz Dragonstone, or even a Spanish Rose, fruitier and a bit off dry. I used to say a big spicy Zin, but I’m so tired of the monstrous abv levels.
On January 31st, 2008 at 11:37 am ,Sal wrote:
I like either a Guinness or an IPA with wings (my 2nd favorite food of all-time) but I like the Zin idea. I’ll try that out next time.
On January 31st, 2008 at 3:43 pm ,Nick wrote:
What about a gewurtzraminer? Spice with spice, no?
On January 31st, 2008 at 3:46 pm ,Nick wrote:
gewurtztraminer that is. Tough one to spell…
On January 31st, 2008 at 5:35 pm ,Bob W. wrote:
I’ve tried a number of different wine pairings and the best one I come up with is…..Beer.
On January 31st, 2008 at 7:30 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Bob W -
Hysterical! Very well played.
On January 31st, 2008 at 8:09 pm ,Lacey @ The Road is Life wrote:
prosecco could be nice too!
On January 31st, 2008 at 8:45 pm ,2 Guys Uncorked wrote:
Riesling. It’s a strange pairing, but think about it. After putting down “fire-breather” level wings, a cool, tart, mouth-coating riesling will put the fire out.
Check out our review for the 2005 “Bunny” Riesling.
On January 31st, 2008 at 9:38 pm ,Mark Ashley wrote:
This is an easy one: A bottle of Dom Perignon. The folks at Hooters have been selling this for years. Seriously:
Personally I prefer a Bollinger 95 with my wings.
On February 1st, 2008 at 8:49 am ,Jen wrote:
Sparkling, definitely. The bubbles and acids cut through the fat and cool the spice leaving a fresh, clean aftertaste.
On February 1st, 2008 at 12:28 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Mark - wow, what a gem!! How could that piece of delicious Americana not have come to our attention earlier? And I’m sure you go to Hooters for the wings, of course…
If I had to pair wine n wings (have never tried and it’s not because I don’t like wine), I think sweet is the way to go with this spice. Cava perhaps? Off-dry riesling would most likely be a good pick but don’t overdo it on the price…
On February 1st, 2008 at 4:44 pm ,Lauren Schwartz wrote:
First, I absolutely love that everyone seems to have a different take on this one! I’m personally inclined to go with a zin, too — I don’t know if it’s more about the pairing itself or the fact that an American wine (well, sort of) seems like the most appropriate choice on this, the holiest day of football. I was initially thinking sparkling, too, but would be a little hesitant if the wings were really spicy just because of how extreme spice and fizz interact (think: pain!). But hey, if it’s good enough for Hooters, who am I to second-guess?
On February 3rd, 2008 at 8:31 am ,Grape Wall of China » Super Bowl sipping in Beijing: which beer with your wings? wrote:
[...] are posts by Dr. Vino on matching wine with Buffalo wings and and chips and [...]
On February 5th, 2008 at 7:43 pm ,Bryan wrote:
Being from Buffalo originally, it’s my goal in life to make a wine that pairs perfectly with Buffalo wings. Hopefully next year by this time it will be a reality. It’s going to take alot of wing eating and wine drinking though in the meantime.
On February 8th, 2008 at 7:03 pm ,Dale Cruse wrote:
The fierier the wings, the more I want Riesling.
On February 10th, 2008 at 12:46 am ,Tyler wrote:
I just had a wine that I think would pair perfectly with hot wings; Hazlitt Red Cat. It’s a party wine, no doubt. A blend of braco noir and catawba, it’s sweet enough to balance the fire, and got enough fruit to match the sauce. For a bonus, it’s from Canadagua, in the Finger Lakes, not far from the home of Buffalo wings…
On March 10th, 2008 at 1:03 pm ,Foodiewino wrote:
If you must do a red…maybe a German Dornfelder. I like the Lambrusco idea, but I have to agree Beer is best with wings!
On March 10th, 2008 at 5:46 pm ,GI Jane wrote:
Wings + Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin=soul mates (Try it with BBQ, too)…