Trader Joe's Snack & Wine Pairings

Ever wanted to try wine & food pairings but don't know where to start? Well, I have an idea...

Trader Joe's!
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Wine & food pairings don’t have to be some fancy schmancy meal paired with a $100+ bottle of wine. All it takes to make a good pairing is a food and a wine that each enhance the other, and you can do that with anything!

I did some experimenting recently and came up with five Trader Joe's wine and food pairings that I can’t wait to share with you!

1. Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Casaponte Soave

• Why it Works: The Soave is incredibly fresh and has a great acidity to it. This contrasts perfectly with the spinach and artichoke dip. It’s that idea that the dip likely has a hint of lemon in it to brighten up, we’re just playing on that with this lemony, bright wine from Italy.
• Wine was $5.99 at Trader Joe’s - ridiculously good deal!

2. Plantain Crisps with Mbali Chenin Blanc Viognier 

• Why it Works: The plantain crisps are light and salty, they honestly remind me of a potato chip. And a great option to go with a potato chip is a off dry white wine. Off dry meaning a *hint* of sweetness. Just a hint, nothing crazy! It works the same way that salted caramel works. Salt enhances flavor. Also the Mbali has great tropical notes that I think accent the plantain crisp beautifully.
• Wine was $4.99 at Trader Joe’s

3. Vegetable Bird’s Nest with Cecilia Beretta Valpolicella Ripasso

• Why it Works: This is 100% my favorite pairing of the bunch. This wine is so fresh and fruity but has an earthy undertone. The bird’s nests are oily and savory, they almost remind me of a blooming onion. While the bird’s nest is a bit rich, the wine brightens it up! And there’s something else there that I can’t put words to. It just works!
• Wine was $12.99 at Trader Joe’s 

4. Fried Cheese Curds with La Vielle Ferme Rosé

• Why it Works: Is it cheating if I say a good rosé can pair with just about anything? Similar to the Spinach & Artichoke pairing, we’re going for a light refreshing wine pairing with a rich, creamy food. The fat from the cheese curd coats your mouth but then the acidity in the wine acts as a palate cleanser.
• Wine was $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

5. Almond Butter Pretzels with French Côté Mas Orange Wine

• Why it Works: I honestly was not confident that I was going to find a pairing to match these pretzels. The almond butter just has such a unique taste. But I should have known an orange wine would be perfect.
  • Side Note: Orange wines are basically white wines made like a red wine. So the juice is left in contact with the skins of the grapes. This results in a wine that is slightly bitter with fresh acidity and unique nutty flavors.​​

See where I’m going with this? The nuttiness of the almond butter matches with the nuttiness of the orange wine. Plus you have the sweetness in the almond butter that contrasts the bitterness in the wine and the saltiness of the pretzels that brings out the acidity in the wine.

• Wine is a 1L bottle (aka 250ml more than a normal bottle) and was $13.99

Want to give any of these pairings a try? Head to my website corkandfizz.com and sign up for my FREE Trader Joe’s wine & snack pairing guide that has even more info! And if you have a favorite snack that you’d like me to suggest a wine for, come ask me on Instagram. I’m @corkandfizz! 

FREE Trader Joe's Wine & Snack Pairing Guide

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