How to Pair Party Snacks with Wines

What makes a good snack spread even better?

You can transform a grazing table into an amazing dining experience when you pair the right snacks with wines. Since there are plenty of articles on hors d’oeuvres, I’m going to skip right to the simpler aspects of a good charcuterie board. By that, I mean those foods that are minimally processed, fresh, and perhaps even locally grown.

it’s hard to go wrong with a local or seasonal approach. You don’t have to trek to a farmers market for seasonal and local foods, many grocery chains also carry locally grown produce in season.

Yes, of course you’ll want to start building your snack spread with cheeses, cured meats and some crunchy starches like simple crackers and crostini. After you’ve chosen those, it’s time to move on to the nuts, fruits, and vegetables – raw or grilled, or both – to round out the selection.

You’re probably familiar with pairing cheeses with wines, but did you know that cheeses also pair well with seasoned pecans? With a little planning and taste-testing, you can select wines that complement both cheeses and pecans. Your severely lactose-intolerant and vegan friends will appreciate your thoughtfulness in giving them a tasty non-diary and vegan-friendly option

Try These Snacks with Wines

While you might think you only like dry whites or bold reds, a charcuterie feast is an excellent time to challenge your tastebuds with a broad variety of wines. Savory roasted pecans pair especially well with all types of wines. They provide a satisfying crunch, and an earthy sweetness that balances both dry and sweet wines.

Here are a few simple pairings of wine and savory roasted pecans:

Whites

Sauvignon Blanc: Rosemary Black Pepper

Chardonnay: Agave Ginger

Pinot Gris: Parmesan Garlic Butter

Riesling: Memphis BBQ

Reds

Pinot Noir: Parmesan Garlic Butter

Zinfandel: Rosemary Black Pepper

Grenache: Agave Ginger

Sangiovese: Memphis BBQ

Cabernet Sauvignon: Rosemary Black Pepper

For a more complete list, check out these.

Remember to include a sparkling wine as well. Because sparkling wine acts as a palate cleanser, it pairs well with a wide variety of foods. It’s especially lovely with salty foods.

Don’t Forget the Chocolate!

Bringing out a few sweet treats later in the evening signals the party will soon draw to a close. Luckily, chocolates also pair well with pecans and with fruits. So, you can simply replace those now-decimated cured meat and cheese platters with assorted chocolates. Or, serve chocolate fondue and light desserts such as angel food cake.

For a complete guide to pairing wines with foods, I have found this to be especially helpful.

Finally, here’s a downloadable short list of wine and pecan pairings for you. Use it as a guide, and then start experimenting! Afterall, the only pairings of snacks with wines that matter are the ones that you and your guests like.

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