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!

 
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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 Eddy V’s Prime Seafood restaurant. 

Wine List Review of Eddy V's, Virginia

Michaela Quinlan

Eddy V's Prime Seafood Restaurant

<a href="https://www.eddiev.com/menu/wine-selection/sparkling">https://www.eddiev.com/menu/wine-selection/sparkling</a>

&nbsp;

Eddie V:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;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.

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.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Eddie V&rsquo;s Prime Seafood in Tyson&rsquo;s Corner, Virginia. Come enjoy happy hour, live music, private events, and of course, a stand out menu specializing in steaks and seafood.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you think of their wine list?

MQ: In this kind of environment, you know they offer favorites for all palates. Join us for today&rsquo;s selections for steak and seafood.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: We must begin with a classic, Old World Chardonnay from Burgundy in France. Consider the 2020 Cave de Lugny, Les Charmes, Burgundy. Les Charmes is located at the base of the Cote d&rsquo;Or in Burgundy. This Chardonnay is aromatic with notes of white flowers, fresh acidity, lemon zest, tangerine, with a toasty finish. Pair this Chardonnay with scallops and salmon.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: If you are looking for a full-bodied red wine with a bit of spice, consider the 2018 K Vintners Millbrant Syrah from Washington State. A crowd pleasing Syrah that features notes of blackberries, black cherries, clove, black pepper, with a smoky/nutty finish. A wonderful companion to smoked proteins.

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; ?

MQ: A medium-bodied white wine that is a must-try when pairing with richly sauced seafood and spicy dishes is the 2020 Kruger-Rumpf Estate Riesling, Trocken from Germany. The key word on this label is &lsquo;Trocken&rsquo;. This means the Riesling is dry, and features bright acidity, ripe peach, ripe green apple, white flowers, lime zest, and a mineral finish.

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?

MQ: Another crowd-pleasing red wine for the table is the 2019 Bodegas Caro, Amancaya from Mendoza Argentina. This red wine consists of 64% Malbec and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a perfect companion to steak, lamb, and other rich proteins and pasta. With aromas and flavors of currants, blackberries, black cherries, raspberries, smoke, spice, and lavender, this bottle certainly packs a punch.

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;

MQ:&nbsp;As we love to discuss Rose for year round enjoyment, a robust Rose to consider of excellent quality and value is the 2021 Feudi di San Grigorio Aglianico Rose from Campania, Italy. This richly colored Rose features notes of ripe red cherries, watermelon, with strawberry jam, and a floral finish. Pair this Rose with shellfish and dense fish such as salmon and tuna, all for an excellent price.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: I always seem to stop for a moment when I spot a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Consider the 2019 Benton Lane Pinot Noir when in search of a quality/vale red wine. This is truly your go-to for a medium bodied red wine to pair with herbed and lightly sauced proteins. Well balanced with aromas and flavors of red cherries, cranberries, and strawberries, along with notes of spice, white pepper, clove and smoke, this Pinot Noir is a winner.

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 looking for art in and out of the bottle, look no further than wines by Orin Swift. The conversation begins with the arrival of the bottle. For a special occasion, consider the 2018 Orin Swift Papillon from Napa, California. This highly rated Bordeaux style blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc has it all. Rich and dense, this blend features black currant, fig, plumb, cassis, smoke, and leather, with notes of licorice and lavender on this finish. All the richness you could ask for to pair with Eddie&rsquo;s menu and your special occasion.

&nbsp;

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Eddie V&rsquo;s Prime Seafood&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.&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;

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Frenchette

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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

Taverna Kyclades East Village

Château d'Esclans

Whispering Angel Rose NV

Grenache

Provence, France

Beringer

Founders' Estate Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

Beringer

Founders' Estate Merlot NV

Merlot

California, USA

Mirassou, Chardonnay, Monterey NV

California, USA

Kendall Jackson

Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve, Sonoma County NV

California, USA

Kendall-Jackson

Avant Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

California, USA

Kourtaki

Retsina of Attica NV

Savatiano

Attiki, Greece

Boutari

Moschofilero Boutari NV

Moschofilero

Mantinia, Greece

Spellbound

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Laurent-Perrier

La Cuvee Brut Champagne 1812 NV

Chardonnay

Champagne, France

Rosemount

Diamond Label Shiraz NV

Shiraz/Syrah

South Australia, Australia

Hatzimichalis (Κτήμα Χατζημιχάλη)

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Greece, Greece

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Saint M Riesling NV

Riesling

Germany

Louis M. Martini

Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Sonoma County, USA

Duc de Romet

Brut Prestige Ay Champagne NV

Blend

Champagne, France