One of many issues I realized in my wine schooling research (and, hey, I’m formally WSET-2 licensed with distinction now — woot!) was studying the fundamentals of easy methods to pair wine with meals.
However, what about pairing wine with temper?
I do know for me, typically I’ll choose a bottle of wine (or one other beverage) based mostly on not simply what I’m consuming, but in addition how I’m feeling.
Listed below are just a few enjoyable examples …
- Sunshine and smiles? Rosè time.
- Celebratory vibes after work? Give me bubbles.
- Chilly and wet night time in? A giant daring purple to heat up with.
- Straightforward breezy weekend lunch? Mocktail, please.
I eat and work out intuitively and mindfully (asking myself and my physique what I actually need and wish), and I discover {that a} comparable method to selecting wine and different drinks actually brings a variety of pleasure to my life.
And, I’m all about selecting pleasure once I can!
If you wish to add a bit of beverage pleasure to your life, too, learn on for a few of my current favourite drink and temper pairings!
Temper: Feeling fancy, however it’s a cold weeknight and also you don’t wish to depart the home.
Pairing: Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserve Carménère 2019
Why we dig this pairing: Carmenère is a giant, daring grape that simply warms your soul. This bottle reveals it off superbly, too. There’s blackberry, plum and black cherry, plus hints of white pepper and herbaceous notes. The tannins are gentle and silky, with a stunning acidity to steadiness all of it. Which, is not any shock as a result of Los Vascos wines are made with the identical care as Bordeaux Grand Crus and are from Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Yeah, fancy — however at about $20 a bottle (disclosure: we’re an affiliate of Vivino), it gained’t break the financial institution.
Temper: When your Really loving pals come over and also you wish to introduce them to one thing new.
Pairing: Owl’s Brew Spiced Chai & Cranberry Boozy Tea
Why we dig this pairing: This enjoyable and festive drink is (in our opinion) not solely tastier than your typical laborious seltzer, however it’s additionally made with good things like freshly brewed tea blends flavored with actual fruit and botanicals. In flavors like Spiced Chai & Cranberry, Darjeeling Tea & Hibiscus Flowers, and White Tea, Raspberry, & Lemon, they’re by no means boring. We additionally cheers to Owl’s Brew being gluten-free, vegan, and female-owned!
Temper: You wish to give again, however aren’t able to go to a elaborate fundraiser with a big crowd simply but.
Pairing: A bottle from Humanity Wine Co.’s wine membership
Why we dig this pairing: We lately had been despatched a cargo from Humanity Wine Co., and it was not solely an effective way to donate to a superb trigger, however it was additionally a enjoyable approach to attempt some new wines. You’ll be able to see our full tasting expertise and ideas in our Insta story right here, however they despatched us 4 tasty bottles from family-owned wineries and boutique vineyards. And, the most effective half? The corporate donates 50 % of its web income again to the philanthropy, so with every pleasing sip, you’re giving again to these superb causes.
Oh, and in the event you’re on the lookout for a enjoyable sport to play whereas tasting a few of these wines, give SipperParty a attempt! It requires no earlier wine data and permits anybody prepared to sip and price to play through an app, plus the above goodies. Seize some buds and check out it!
Temper: Whenever you need just a few beers, however don’t wish to really feel such as you simply had just a few beers.
Pairing: A can (or two) of Bravus.
What’s good about Bravus is that it’s not a beer various — it really is actual beer, simply with lower than .5 % ABV. Utilizing a proprietary brewing course of, these style like craft beer, however are vegan, dairy-free, low-cal, low-sugar, and gluten-reduced. Our fave was the IPA!
Temper: You wish to sip one thing actually good … however you’re at a tailgate.
Pairing: Clear and funky NEFT
Made with simply two substances (historic, non-GMO rye grains farmed in decrease Saxony and spring water from the Alps of Austria for many who are curious), NEFT is a premium sipping vodka you could take anyplace — and it stays chilly! Packaged in a transportable and unbreakable barrel that carefully resembles a small oil drum, it retains chilly for hours.
Temper: You need one thing enjoyable to sip on, however you’re staying sober.
Pairing: So. Many. Choices!
Actually good and attention-grabbing non-alcholic drinks was few and much between, however in the previous few years the sober-curious market has cured that! We’ve lately had numerous mixers and drinks hit our workplace which are attention-grabbing, tasty, and completely advanced. Which we love!
Curious Elixirs (disclosure: additionally an affiliate as a result of we like these a lot) are booze-free cocktails infused with adaptogens and sophisticated flavors with out being too candy (hooray!). Created by world-class bartenders, herbalists and meals scientists with high quality substances, every mix targets its personal purpose, starting from a pick-me-up to rest. In enjoyable foodie flavors like Blood Orange Spritz Holy Basil + Gingseng and Juniper Cucumber Collins Lemon +Ashwagandha + Angelica, you gained’t really feel such as you’re lacking the social gathering in any respect.
For wine drinkers, non-alcoholic Oddbird wine is like nothing we’ve had earlier than (and in a great way). With the purpose of making world-class, historically crafted wines, these wines are sourced from the best vineyards in France and Italy and are matured for as much as 12 months earlier than having alcohol eliminated utilizing a singular methodology that preserves flavors. We discovered the Oddbird Low Intervention Natural White No. 1 — which is a pure white wine produced from the native grape varieties Vespaiola and Garganega — to be a bit of candy with pear, honey crisp apple, honeycomb, and candied lemon, and the Oddbird Low Intervention Natural Crimson No. 1 — which is a pure purple wine of Merlot and Pinot Noir — to have flavors of apple cinnamon, cranberry, and barely ripe blackberry. By far probably the most attention-grabbing NA wines we’ve had to this point!
For these on the lookout for one thing a bit of bubbly and candy, you possibly can’t go fallacious with Mingle Mocktails. Crafted from pure substances and free from chemical components, you may get festive flavors like Cranberry Cosmo, Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Cucumber Melon Mojito, Moscow Mule and Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa. Supplied in normal 750-ml bottles or 12-ounce cans, there’s a dimension for each event.
Some tasty choices, proper? Now all we have to know is: what’s YOUR temper? And what’s going to you pair it with? –Jenn
