Sometimes, you don’t want to put too much effort into party favors. That doesn’t mean they can’t taste great. Sure, caviar and bubbly, or smoked salmon and Pinot Noir, are ideal pairings. But you can conjure up almost the same level of pairing power with far less cash. And chances are good you might even have a little more fun in the process.
Let’s make things easy this summer – and have a little fun doing it. We have rounded up some great pairings featuring nibbles you can likely find from your local minmart and sips from the Pacific Northwest that won’t break the bank.
Pop Tarts and Dessert wine
This pairing plays off the gooey center of your favorite breakfast toaster-ready pastry. Of course the coupling works — it’s essentially it’s sweet grape on sweet grape. You can go with a standard inexpensive Port, but we suggest adding a little citrus flair by going with an Orange Muscat from southern Oregon. Bonus points if you throw a little funky cheese in the mix.
Sip suggests: Quady Essensia Orange Muscat
Spam Musubi and Sauvignon Blanc
Making Spam musubi takes mere minutes and it’s a joy to carry out. About the only thing better is matching that mid-Century meat with a white wine with good acidity. The Sauv Blanc from the famed Washington state label shows a lot of energy, as well as both stone fruit and tropical fruit notes. It’s an ideal match to cut into the saltiness of Spam.
Sip suggests: DeLille Cellars Metier Sauvignon Blanc
Fish sticks and Lager
Portland’s Wayfinder has mastered the lager and it’s an ideal counterpart for the breaded fish, especially when treated to a bit of malt vinegar. It’s like fish and chips from your favorite UK pub, only a fraction of the price. Moreover, it’s something you can do at home with little more than an air fryer. The nostalgia of fish sticks with the grown-up goodness of an oh-so-clean lager? Sign us up!
Sip suggests: Wayfinder Lager
Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich and Sparkling Wine
Of course, this sandwich experienced a shortage when it first came out. It remains the king of fast food poultry options, with an amazing brioche bun, excellent slab of chicken and fantastic pickles to boot. Match the buttery and meaty goodness with sparkling wine, preferably out of can. This is fast food, after all. Sparkling does great, bringing out the buttery notes of the bread and playing off the richness of the sauce.
Sip suggests: Underwood The Bubbles
Takis and Chardonnay
Takis are all the rage, at least among a certain generation, and we’re starting to see why. No, you shouldn’t eat them too often, but that ideal mix of sweet, spicy and sour is worth a binge now and again, especially when you match it with a proper Chardonnay. This one has the texture to take on the potential palate-busting quality of the snack as well a subtle creamy note to take the sting out of the fire.
Sip suggests: Charles Smith Substance Chardonnay
But don’t stop there. Get over to your corner store and concoct your own lowbrow pairing.
