Hibernation season will soon be upon us, and you know what that means: it’s time to bulk up. On comfort food that is. In the cold months, we spend our days fantasizing about mashed potatoes, and our nights dreaming of baked mac & cheese. And in the moments we choose to indulge in these vices, we should go all the way. In other words, the next time you whip up a delicious meatloaf, grab a bottle of wine to go with it.
Since you may not know the exact wine to pair with your comfort food of choice, we’ve put together a guide to lead you in the right direction. Just remember to keep an open mind.
Baked Mac & Cheese
When it comes to this cheesy delicacy, Pinot Noir is the name of the game. The heavy, rich consistency of the mac & cheese will contrast nicely with a lighter-bodied wine like this.
Meatloaf
Again, with a dense dish, pairing a rather light wine is the way to go. But this time, we suggest a Malbec. The fruity undertones should go very well with your typical meatloaf flavoring.
Grilled Cheese
In the existence of the earth, there are few things better than cheese and bread (obviously excluding alcohol). So putting them together makes the Grilled Cheese one of our all time favorite comfort foods. Try pairing it with something sparkling, whether it’s Champagne, Moscatto, Cava, or even a Sparkling Rose.
Steak Frites
Syrah is the ideal pair for this gourmet comfort food. The tannins in the red wine go great with the fats in the steak, and it’ll absolutely have your mouth watering.
Mashed Potatoes
The only time that it’s okay to eat mashed potatoes as a meal is if you make it a meal by pairing it with an un-oaked Chardonnay. But be careful with this one–it might be hard to stop yourself once you get started. This pair is just that good.
Enjoy these beautiful tales of partnership as each of these combos continues to tell its own love story, expressed through taste.