As the sound of cheering fans and the crack of the football echo through stadiums and living rooms alike, the excitement of the game is only matched by the joy of savoring a good glass of wine. While you might think of wine as a sophisticated companion to fine dining, it can also elevate your game day experience to new heights. 

Whether you’re grilling in the backyard, enjoying a cozy couch party, or tailgating with friends, knowing which wines pair best with your favorite football snacks can transform your viewing party into a culinary touchdown. From bold reds to refreshing whites, let's explore the perfect wine pairings that will make every play unforgettable.

Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wine is a wine that contains significant levels of carbon dioxide, which gives it a fizzy quality and it can range from dry to sweet. A sparkling wine is a great option if you are having fried foods like fried chicken, jalapeño poppers, or mac and cheese balls. The high levels of acidity in sparkling wine cut through fat, oil and grease, balancing out the dish in your mouth, while keeping the palate crisp, clean and refreshed. Some of our suggestions would be our Ciao Bolle, Gru V, or one of our Sweet Nancie sparkling wines if your gameday menu is leaning more this route.

Sweet Wines
A sweet wine is just that – sweet! These types of wines have more residual sugar than other types of wine, usually due to the grapes used, natural flavorings added, and how they are harvested. There are so many sweet wines available but we suggest our Revenge wines, PB&J wine, S’mores wine, or Head Games spiced wines if you are looking for something fun that your guests will be sure to remember. However, we also have our Braganini Reserve Petite Pearl (dryer in comparison to these other sweet options), Catawba, Niagara, and Concord if you are wanting a more traditional wine tasting experience. Sweet wines in general pair great with foods like buffalo chicken wings, sausage and peppers, and desserts.  Want to really amp up the fun? Give one of our new 20% ABV Punch wines a try! These sweet wines - Fruit Punch, Grape Punch, Strawberry Punch, and Watermelon Punch - will definitely get the party going.

Delicate Wines
Delicate is used to describe light- to medium-weight wines with good flavors. While delicate wines may have several flavors, none stand out. You won’t feel too much acidity or tannins when sipping a soft wine. If you are serving snacks like spinach dip, guacamole, nachos, or pigs in a blanket, you might want to consider sipping on a delicate wine such as our Coastline White Blend, Simply White, Reserve Riesling, or our Reserve Pinot Grigio. 

Smooth Wines
A smooth wine has a rounded texture, is well-balanced, and has a fully integrated structure. Some say that a smooth wine feels like satin or velvet on your palate! Smooth wines such as our Braganini Reserve Merlot, Reserve Unoaked Chardonnay, Coastline Red Blend, or Simply Red pair perfectly with pizza, pulled pork, cheese, or charcuteries.

Intense Wines
When you are considering an intense wine, you should look for wines that are deep and intense in color. This indicates varietals that are bold – full bodied, dense, and powerful wines. Consider pairing our Braganini Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Cock of the Walk, or Braganini Reserve Cabernet Franc with foods like burgers, chili, ribs, hot dogs, or meatball subs! 

By thoughtfully pairing wines with your game-day snacks, you elevate the experience beyond mere spectator sport into a celebration of flavor and camaraderie. So, next time you gather with friends to cheer on your team, don’t just pass the chips—raise a glass and embrace the delightful union of wine and football, making every bite and pass of the game a celebration of culinary and sporting triumph. Cheers to a season filled with great plays and even better pairings!

Still have more questions or want to find the perfect wine for your game day festivities? Stop by one of our tasting rooms and one of our wine consultants can help you as you learn more and start to tailor your wine preferences. With over 100 products in our portfolio of award-winning wines, spirits, and ciders, we truly have something for everyone to enjoy.