Best Snacks for Wine Tasting
Are they planning an easy-breezy wine night with friends? After bringing in a couple of varied bottles for a super fun wine tasting session, the next thing that comes to mind is the snacks!! What should you serve for an easy backyard chilling vibe, where people are not bombarded with food and enjoy every sip they devour and understand the notes of wine? While easy is our choice, equally tasty and low maintenance is necessary!
What are the best snacks for Wine Tasting?
When it is Wine o clock, it is also snack time! Here’s a comprehensive list of light snacks and finger food options that pair well with the wine and not hog too much of your time.
1. Charcuterie
The first one to make it to the list is wine’s best friend, Charcuterie! These boards can seem a little intimidating, but you can go as elaborate or simple as possible. Charcuterie is a selection of cheeses served with various biscuits, crackers, pickled onions, grapes, and a variety of cold meats. This is classic and consistently well received by the guests. A cheese platter is a fantastic way of opening a wine tasting night. You can include one cheese in each category: aged, blue, soft, and firm. Here are a few cheese and cracker options that can be purchased online!
a. Differnt Cheese Options:
2. Chocolate
Plain Dark Chocolate is one of the greatest accompaniments with wine and probably the sweetest snack to serve with wine! It pairs well with red or white wine, or richer truffle chocolates work well with drier wines. If you are the kinds who relish wine with something sweet, then pair your chilled Moscato wine with great dark chocolate, and enjoy! Here are a few dark chocolate options available online!
b. GHIRARDELLI Intense Dark Chocolate Squares
3. Corn Chips
These can be nibbled on all night long without taking you away from the wine. Corn chips come in various flavors, and you can choose as many as per taste, or mix them all up, for an assorted corn chips bowl! However, the zesty sour cream, onion and fiery corn chips go best with Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon and Corn Chips are the perfect wake me up snack! Here are a few options available online.
a. Fritos Corn Chips:
4. Egg Salad Sandwiches
Hard-boiled eggs by themselves are a quick and easy snack. However, egg salad sandwiches are way more substantial and filling. It is easy and enjoyed by mostly all. Just whip a salad with the hard-boiled eggs by adding some mayo and mustard, and Viola! It is best to keep the sandwiches in bite sizes, as they are the perfect finger food and do not feel heavy on the stomach keeping the wine appetite intact.
5. Hummus
Everyone’s favorite and the Middle Eastern delight, hummus. Hummus nowadays is not restricted to chickpeas and tahini; it is a whole new world now, vast enough to put together a platter with variations of hummus. There is sundried tomato, beetroot, roasted bell pepper, and many more variations. Hummus can be whipped at home or bought from the store fridge and placed right on your serving platter! Ensure to keep some crackers, pita, and pickled vegetables ready to keep your guests in awe! Hummus is a great wine companion without overpowering its essence. Here are some store-bought options for you.
6. Chips and Salsa/Dip/Guacamole
Chips and Dip is a staple when it comes to any party! It is easy, fun, fuss-free, and most importantly, relished by all! You can always trade the traditional curd dip with salsa, guacamole, or cheesy jalapeno dips. You can either pick up ready-to-eat ones from a store or spice up a refreshing mango salsa at home. Here are a few ready-to-eat salsa and chips options.
7. Popcorn
What is it that doesn’t go with popcorn? And, who doesn’t love popcorn? It is the ultimate snack for a wine-tasting evening. Whether you like them cheesy, zesty, caramelized, or plain butter, they are a perfect match with the oaky flavors of Chardonnay. There are easy microwave options or ready-to-eat options available in the market now. Here’s a list of a few options available online as well.
8. Yogurt with Granola
Do you know what pairs well with a Pink Moscato? It is yogurt with granola. The creamy fruit-flavored yogurt with granola pairs well with the sweet flavors of Pink Moscato. It makes snack time the best time and is loved by many. You can serve them in little cups, making it an easier, fuss-free snack!
How do you make wine tasting fun?
Hosting wine tasting with friends is a fun idea in itself. However, here are a few things you can do to ensure a night of fun and no bloopers!
- Stock up on those bottles of wines. You can always have a few extras, but not less.
- Ensure you have plenty of snack options since these are not very dinner-y nights.
- Even if you follow a particular theme, like wine and cheese or wine and chocolate, keep a few crackers and assorted nuts handy to enable the cleansing of taste buds for a better wine tasting experience.
- Plan the menu and wine pairings with proper consideration of dietary restrictions and allergies.
- In the case of gluten-free and vegan options, make sure everything is marked appropriately, and alternatives are provided. This keeps everyone involved, comfortable, and catered for.
Bottom Line
Wine tasting evenings are a fun evening to host, and with a bit of help from easy-to-pair snack options, it becomes an absolute delight. Here’s to “Happy Wining, and no whining!”
Check these unique wine decanters that make the perfect gift.
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