Wine Pairings for Super Bowl Recipes: Who Says Football Can’t Be Fancy?

If you haven’t scored tickets to Super Bowl LI, send out the invites and host your own Super Bowl party. Good Latin party food tends to be spicy food, so it’s with gratitude that football viewing parties have moved beyond the pizza and beer of our dorm room days and into an era wherein said spicy foods can be served alongside sophisticated wines without anyone claiming party foul.

Put out a spread that includes spicy chicken wings, nachos, pulled pork sliders, Mexican pizza, and, of course,tacos. Bring on big, bold red wines that can stand up to heat, spice, and the thrill of the biggest game of the year. Our hottest tips: Use a heat diffuser or chafing dish to keep your Super Bowl party foods warm, refill throughout the evening, and have plenty of backup on the wine!

As to wine pairings, one of our go-to grapes for traditionally spicy Super Bowl party foods is Syrah, which also goes by the name Shiraz. In general, wines made from this grape tend to be fruity and have some spice or black pepper flavor, so they pair well with mouth-searing food.

Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz 2011, from Australia, is a juicy wine with lush flavors of blackberry and blueberry and notes of clove and violet. Nice tannins will hold up to well-marbled meat, and bright acidity makes for a refreshing finish.

Thelema Mountain Red 2011 is produced in Stellenbosch, South Africa. A blend of Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, and Cabernet Franc, it’s full and fruit-forward on the palate, with flavors of black plum, cherry, and freshly ground pepper.

Emiliana Coyam 2010 from Chile is made with Syrah, Carmenere, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, and Petit Verdot. Coyam is the Mapuche word for oak, and this wine benefits from 13 months in oak barrels. Generous flavors of mixed berry preserves, white chocolate, and caramel makes this a good choice when rich foods are on the table.

Next, top Zinfandels to round out the spread… [pagebreak]

Zinfandel is another winner with spicy Super Bowl party food. A transplant from Croatia, it is most widely grown in California. Although many people are first introduced to this grape via White Zinfandel, a pale, semi-sweet rosé, here we are talking about luscious, fruity red wines that hold their own against acid-tinged sauces and fiery foods.

Bella Rocky Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel 2010 is perfect for a more intimate party, as you will only want to share this with your closest friends. Opulent flavors of blackberry, Chambord, and vanilla keep on going until the smooth, lingering finish.

Ravenswood Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel 2010 is a classic representation of the grape. Winemaker Joel Peterson is known as the Godfather of Zin, and Ravenswood is the number one producer of the variety in the world. Flavors of blackberry and black cherry with a gutsy clove and pepper kick will complement the intense flavors of even the spiciest cuisine. 

Bogle Vineyards 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel is made from grapes that grow on 60 to 80 year old vines. By far, it over delivers for the price, offering full-on flavors of mixed berry pie, custard, and white pepper, with a splash of acidity on the finale.

Saved Red Wine 2011 is about one-third Zinfandel blended with eight other grapes. The gorgeous bottle features an etched label designed by tattoo artist Scott Campbell. Flavors of cassis, black cherry, and Mediterranean herbs fill your mouth, and there is just the right kick of brightness on the finish.