The NFL WildCard playoffs are set!! So when planning your menu for the coming big games or the Superbowl, incorporating a selection of snacks and wines that complement each other can really elevate the experience. Here are some classic game day snacks paired with wines, complete with recipes and recommended wines:

1. Classic Buffalo Wings &amp; Riesling

Snack: Buffalo wings are a quintessential game day treat. To prepare, marinate chicken wings in a mix of hot sauce, melted butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, and garlic powder. Bake until crispy and toss them in more sauce for that classic spicy kick.

Wine Pairing: A crisp Riesling. Its natural sweetness and acidity can tame the heat of the wings and cleanse the palate. Look for a Riesling with a balance of fruity and mineral notes, offering a refreshing contrast to the spicy wings.

Wine Recommendation: <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/AJ-Adam-Dhroner-Hofberg-Riesling-Trocken-2018-w9143049e1">A.J. Adam - Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Trocken 2018</a>, $42.99

2. Loaded Nachos &amp; Zinfandel

Snack: For loaded nachos, layer corn tortilla chips with shredded beef, black beans, jalapenos, and cheese. Bake until the cheese melts and then top with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. This snack is a medley of flavors and textures.

Wine Pairing: A robust Zinfandel. This wine, known for its bold fruit flavors and a hint of spice, complements the meat and spices in the nachos well. A Zinfandel with notes of blackberry, cherry, and pepper would be ideal.

Wine Recommendation: <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ridge-Lytton-Springs-Zinfandel-Dry-Creek-Valley-2021-w7007258mk">Ridge - Lytton Springs Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2021</a>, $59.99

3. Sliders with Blue Cheese &amp; Cabernet Sauvignon &ndash; Staff Favorite**

Snack: Mini sliders made with quality ground beef, seasoned with salt and pepper, and grilled to perfection. Serve on small buns with blue cheese, arugula, and a thin slice of red onion.

Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins in this wine cut through the fattiness of the beef and blue cheese, while its flavors of black currant, cedar, and herbs add an extra layer of complexity to the sliders.

Wine Recommendation: <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Concha-y-Toro-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Maipo-Valley-Terrunyo-Pirque-Viejo-Vineyard-2018-w9062227lv">Concha y Toro - Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Terrunyo Pirque Viejo Vineyard 2018</a>, $35.99

Wine Recommendation: <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Lynch-Bages-Echo-de-Lynch-Bages-Pauillac-2019-w6428939kd">Chateau Lynch-Bages - Echo de Lynch Bages Pauillac 2019,</a> $58.99

https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Lynch-Bages-Echo-de-Lynch-Bages-Pauillac-2019-w6428939kd

4. Cheese and Charcuterie Board &amp; Pinot Noir

Snack: Assemble a board with a variety of cheeses (think Brie, Cheddar, and Gouda), cured meats (like salami and prosciutto), nuts, fruits, and crackers. This offers something for everyone and encourages grazing throughout the game.

Wine Pairing: Pinot Noir. This wine is versatile enough to pair with the wide range of flavors on the board. Look for a Pinot Noir with notes of cherry, raspberry, and clove for a delightful match.

Wine Recommendation:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Bzikot-Pere-and-Fils-Volnay-2018-w664195310">Bzikot Pere &amp; Fils - Volnay 2018</a>, $51.99

5. Spicy Shrimp Tacos &amp; Sauvignon Blanc

Snack: Quick shrimp tacos with a spicy seasoning, topped with a slaw of cabbage, cilantro, and lime juice. Serve in small tortillas for easy eating.

Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc. The zesty and citrus notes of this wine complement the spice and freshness of the tacos. A Sauvignon Blanc with hints of lime, green apple, and passion fruit would be particularly refreshing.

Wine Recommendation: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Gerard-Boulay-Sancerre-Chavignol-2022-w1366241xd">Gerard Boulay - Sancerre Chavignol 2022</a>, $38.99

Pairing wines with your NFL game day snacks can transform your viewing into a gourmet experience. Remember, the best pairings balance the flavors and intensity of both the food and the wine. Don&#39;t be afraid to experiment and find what combinations delight your palate the most. Enjoy the game and the feast!

 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The NFL WildCard playoffs are set!! So when planning your menu for the coming big games or the Superbowl, incorporating a selection of snacks and wines that complement each other can really elevate the experience. Here are some classic game day snacks paired with wines, complete with recipes and recommended wines.

Big Games are set! Here are wine pairings for your favorite game snacks!

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Clarity in Vienna, Vermont. 

Wine List Review of Clarity, Vermont

Michaela Quinlan

Clarity

<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rHlouuGz1cRCxrdP-mn0zXj6pZJOvbDf/view">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rHlouuGz1cRCxrdP-mn0zXj6pZJOvbDf/view</a>

&nbsp;

Clarity:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where,&nbsp;in each episode, we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

&nbsp;

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

&nbsp;

MQ: Hi Robert!

&nbsp;RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules our mobile app and our podcast&rsquo;s to demystify wine list because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that&nbsp; list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

&nbsp;

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

&nbsp;

RT: Today we are talking about Clarity in Vienna, VA. Serving lunch, dinner, and a four-course tasting menu, along with locally sourced beef and produce, Clarity is a must visit.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you think of their wine list?

&nbsp;

MQ: Clarity features a beautiful list of Old World and New Word favorites. Enjoy today&rsquo;s selections during your private dining experience or special event.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

&nbsp;

MQ: The first wine that caught my eye was the 2019 Pascal Jolivet, Sancerre Rose from the Loire Valley of France. The Sancerre region within the Loire Valley is known for their stellar Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This 93 point rated, organic Rose is 100% Pinot Noir and features aromas and flavors of strawberries and cranberries with notes of herbs on the finish. A perfect companion to lighter fare and seafood.

&nbsp;

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

&nbsp;

MQ: Consider the 2019 Cass Mourvedre from Paso Robles, CA. This Estate grown, 100% Mourvedre is rich and full bodied. Perfect for the richly sauced proteins on the menu. Ripe blackberries, ripe blueberries, plum, fig, with notes of raisins and cocoa on the finish make this red a winner.

&nbsp;

RT: So Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo; ?

&nbsp;

MQ: A must try is the 2019 En Numeros Vermells, Pedro Ximenez from Priorat in Spain. This is truly a unique wine. Only 53 cases were made. The Pedro Ximenez grape is often used to make sweet sherry. However, this white wine is beautifully balanced with notes of peach and grapefruit, along with spice, pepper, and caramel with a salty nuttiness on the long finish. A must try to pair with richly sauced seafood.

&nbsp;

RT: These are some great calls. So you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

&nbsp;

MQ: A stand out bottle to share with the table is the 2012 Pakravan-Papa, Prunice di Riparbella from Tuscany. This Super Tuscan, consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese is medium bodied, with smooth tannins, notes of ripe raspberries, ripe red cherries, smoke, leather, sage, and lavender. A food friendly wine to pair with herbed proteins.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

RT: Ooh, Terrific. Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind..&nbsp; any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

&nbsp;

MQ: An excellent quality/value white wine to consider when looking for a bottle to pair with herbed proteins, dense fish, and spicy dishes, consider the 2019 Le Jade, Viognier Cave de Pomerols from the Languedoc in France. Viognier is medium bodied, fresh and floral with notes of dried apricot, ripe peach, white flowers, and citrus with a mineral finish. All at an excellent price.

&nbsp;

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

&nbsp;

MQ:&nbsp; If you are in search of a value red wine of excellent quality, consider the 2016 Valerie Forgues Gamay from the Touraine in France.&nbsp; Touraine is located in the Loire Valley, and this organic Gamay is medium bodied and showcases ripe red cherries, cranberries, and blueberries with notes of thyme, sage, and citrus on the finish. Pair this red with all herbed and savory dishes.

&nbsp;

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

&nbsp;

&nbsp;MQ: If you are visiting Clarity for any special occasion or celebration, why not consider a classic Champagne producer. The Billecart Salmon Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, from Champagne in France. Founded in 1818, Billecart Salmon is the oldest continuously family owned House in Champagne. This Grand Cru, or superior quality sparkler, Blanc de Blancs, meaning consisting of only white grapes, and in this case, Chardonnay, is consistently highly rated with classic aromas of fresh green apple, lemon zest, and brioche, with a creamy, nutty, and mineral finish. A stellar sparkler to pair with any special occasion.

&nbsp;

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Clarity&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

&nbsp;

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

&nbsp;

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Locations is a wine producer that focuses on creating wines that represent the regions they come from. Their wines are made with a philosophy of quality over quantity, and they use only the best grapes from each region.

David Chang offers inventive takes on Asian fare at this hip, spacious outpost in the Cosmopolitan.

Steak Frites

Alexis Percival is a New York City based CMS certified sommelier, consultant and event planner who puts the art in party.

Certified sommelier Alexis Percival

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Momofuku Las Vegas

Jeio

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut NV

Glera

Veneto, Italy

Von Winning

Win Win Rose 2017

Spatburgunder

Pfalz, Germany

Leitz

Dragonstone Riesling Sekt 2018

Riesling

Rheingau, Germany

Albert Bichot

Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Reserve Privee NV

Blend

Bourgogne, Burgundy, France

Cana

New La, Albarino Rias Baixas Spain 2018

Rias Baixas, Spain

Villa Sparina

Gavi 2017

Cortese

Gavi - Cortese di Gavi, Piedmont, Italy

Aligote

Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne, Les Moutots 2015

Burgundy, France

Txomin Etxaniz

Txakoli Getariako Txakolina 2018

Hondarrabi Zuri

Pais Vasco, Spain

Illahe

Estate Pinot Noir 2017

Pinot Noir

Willamette Valley, USA

J.K. Carriere

Provocateur Pinot Noir 2017

Pinot Noir

Oregon, USA

Banshee Wines

Mordecai Red 2016

Blend

California, USA

Silkman Wines Sémillon Hunter Valley, Australia, New South Wales 2015

Semillon

New South Wales, Australia

Chateau Guiraud

Le G de 2017

Blend

Bordeaux, France

Dr. Von Bassermann-Jordan

Deidesheim Riesling Trocken 2018

Riesling

Pfalz, Germany

Leon Beyer

Gewurztraminer 2017

Gewurztraminer

Alsace, France