Ideal snacks for each wine colour
Wine makers have created a new guide to help people choose the perfect drink to have with their favourite snacks, including pizza, Scotch eggs – and even salt and vinegar crisps.
Experts at Jacob’s Creek tried different types of wine with 10 of the nation’s most popular snacks and light bites to open up the world of wine pairing and compile a new guide – with Riesling being the perfect wine to have with a sausage roll.
A margherita pizza should be enjoyed with a Shiraz, nachos go with a Pinot Grigio while a Chardonnay is the ideal companion for wasabi peas or pittas and hummus.
For the sweet tooth, chocolate and Merlot are a match made in heaven, with Sauvignon Blanc found to be the perfect pairing for salted popcorn.
TV cook and author, Jo Pratt, who took part in the tasting session with Jacob’s Creek wine maker Rebekah Richardson, said: “There are plenty of guidelines out there about the best wines to drink with main meals but there isn’t really any inspiration for which wines to enjoy with smaller plates or snacks
“So it’s brilliant to know you can now enjoy a delicious wine that perfectly complements the flavours of whatever you’re eating.
“Whether that’s a Sunday roast with all the family, or a well-deserved treat just for you, and wasabi peas and Chardonnay was a real eye opener!”
Experts at the Australian winery put together the new wine matching guide after a survey of 2,000 adults revealed 57 per cent are regularly replacing evening weekday meals with snacks, such as pizza (59%), nachos (38%) and pittas and dips (33%).
And more than half (51%) said they would like to know more about the wines that go with the foods they regularly eat.
Seventy-one per cent also admitted they felt there is too much snobbery associated with wine selection.
In order to decide on the perfect pairings, 11 types of wine were tried with each of the different foods, with Jo and Rebekah smelling and tasting the food and the drink before pairing them up from a total of 110 possible combinations.
They found sausage rolls are paired perfectly with the Riesling due to the ‘buttery pastry and rich pork balancing the lime and green apple flavours of the wine’.
For pizza, the toppings make a difference to the choice of wine, with a Margherita matched with Shiraz, thanks to its ‘spicy fruit flavours standing up well’ to the herbs, tomato sauce and cheese topping.
But if you opt for a pepperoni pizza, you should serve it with a Cabernet Sauvignon thanks to the ‘meaty wine going great with the aniseed kick of the pepperoni’.
Chardonnay works with wasabi peas due to the ‘creaminess of the wine taking the heat out of the horseradish’ with toasted pittas and hummus going nicely with the same wine because of the ‘peach and melon notes complimenting the nutty flavours of the chickpeas’.
For Scotch eggs, a Fiano complimented the flavours well and for salt and vinegar crisps, a Shiraz Rose was found to be the best match.
Jacob’s Creeks’ Rebekah Richardson added: “Whatever the dish you’re cooking, wherever you are in the world, it’s not hard to find a recommendation for the best wine to pair it with.
“We’re passionate about making quality wines that are great for sharing with good friends and family, and we wanted to celebrate those authentic moments when people are together enjoying a glass of wine with a snack as well.
“This guide helps people make the most of that time, with a glass of wine that tastes amazing with their favourite treat.
“Britons told us they wanted to know about the best wines to go with snacks like wasabi peas, popcorn and chocolate as well as old favourites like pizza.
“And, this new take on wine pairings is the perfect solution.”
Wine and snack matches:
Pizza: Margherita:
Wine match – Jacob’s Creek Classic Shiraz
Why it works? Spicy fruit flavours with plum and pepper can stand up to the strong aromatic herbs, tangy tomato sauce and salty cheese that makes a perfect Margherita pizza
Pizza: Pepperoni:
Wine match – Jacob’s Creek Classic Cabernet Sauvignon
Why it works? The cabernet sauvignon, rich in blackcurrent and plum, is a meaty wine great with the aniseed spice kick of the pepperoni. The hint of oak provides a dryness that helps balance out the richness of the cheese and oil from the sausage.
Sausage Roll:
Wine match – Jacob’s Creek Classic Riesling
Why it works. The butteriness in the pastry and the richness of the pork is great with the slight acid from lime and green apple in the Riseling.
Nachos with Guacamole, sour cream and salsa:
Wine match – Jacob’s Creek Classic Pinot Grigio
Why it works? From the tangy kick from the salsa to the creaminess of sour cream there’s a lot going on in a plate of nachos so Pinot Grigio is a subtle wine which can get along with a mix of flavours.
Toasted pitta and Houmous:
Wine match – Chardonnay
Why it works: Fruit flavours of peach and melon, coupled with a subtle touch of oak flavours complements the nutty nature of the chickpeas.
Sea salt and balsamic vinegar crisps
Wine match – Shiraz Rose
Why it works: The fresh raspberry and cherry flavours and the hints of spice in the wine work well with the sharpness of the vinegar
Wasabi peas
Wine match – Chardonnay
Why it works: The creaminess of the wine takes the heat out of the horseradish in the peas.
Chocolate
Wine match – Merlot
Why it works: The softness of the tannins and slight sweet fruit in the back matches really nicely with rich chocolate
Salted Popcorn
Wine match – Sauvignon Blanc
Why it works: The slightly herbaceous, grassy flavours of the SB, match the salty flavours of the pork scratchings
Gourmet Scotch egg
Wine match – Fiano
Why it works: The fresh flavours of lemongrass and apricot balance well with the hearty and meaty texture of the Scotch egg
