Super Bowl & Super Wine

Filed in archive Food and Wine on January 27, 2007

Normally, this would be Super Bowl weekend. I know this not because I watch football, though I do plan to watch some of the Super Bowl this year because prince is going to be performing at the half time show and he totally rocks, but I know this because it is also my husband's birthday on Monday and normally his birthday weekend is the same as the Super Bowl. As it turns out, it's a good thing we still have a few weeks to go because our TV is hosed up, which means he would be totally freaking out about now. He might of even had to (gasp) go to one of the many Super Bowl parties we are often invited to about this time of year.

I'm always amazed at how much attention the Super Bowl gets, and lately, that also includes lots of articles about wine and the big bowl. Here's yet another one I found that has some good suggestions in pairing wine and your food, especially when it comes to chips and dip.

From The Chicago Sun Times, who say that Chardonnay is pretty much the way to go:

The Wine Market Council, as it did last year, put together a list of wine pairings, so those of us who aren't sure what goes with nachos will be prepared.
"One of the best matches for anything with corn, such as chips or tortillas, is Chardonnay." There you go.

"Chardonnay also will complement creamy cheeses and counterpoint the salsa. In the red category, Zinfandel likewise accompanies spicy salsa, and Merlot can have a cooling effect. Consider drinking the reds slightly chilled."

No problem for those of you tailgating.

Serving chili? Pour Syrah or Rioja.

Sloppy joes call for Zinfandel, whereas vegetables and dip need "a fresh, zippy white like Sauvignon Blanc or an unoaked Chardonnay from New Zealand, Australia or the United States."