How to Choose the Best Snacks to Pair with Wine

If you’re planning a gathering, and are a bit apprehensive about knowing what goes well with wine, we are here to help your event go smoothly. Here, you’ll find a brief description of food to eat with wine. And, to make sure your get together is a success, we have even included a fantastic yet easy to prepare recipe that goes perfect with Prosecco.

A Quick Note About Pairing

Wine pairings are more than matching the beverage color: red, white, rose, etc, They are actually specific to the grape and character of the wine. For example: Is the red wine bold or sweet? Is the white wine mild or acidic? So, for the sake of simplicity, the following pairings include a specific wine per color category.

Best Red Wine Pairings for Merlot

If you are serving a lovely merlot, grill a steak or even a meatier fish like Ahi Tuna. If you’re serving a fruit and cheese board, consider Parmesan, with a garnish of fresh berries. Are you looking to serve merlot with dessert? Try a rich chocolate cake for a surprise hit.

Best White Wine Pairings for Chardonnay

When serving a chardonnay, try to include items like poultry, fish, and other light intensity foods. Cheeses like Havarti and Asiago are wonderful. For the main course, consider lobster, shrimp, or halibut. Pork is also delicious. For a simpler treat, toasted nuts always pair well with chardonnay.

Best Rose Wine Pairings for White Zinfandel

When pouring glasses of white zinfandel for guests, serve them main dishes consisting of roasted chicken or lamb, or pasta made with a rich, creamy pancetta sauce. For appetizers, try crab cakes. And for a side dish, consider a steamy bowl of delicious homemade creamy clam chowder.

Best Sparkling Wine Pairings for Prosecco

There’s a reason people have always loved sparkling wine and caviar. It’s simply a classic, perfect match. It’s also delicious with shellfish like shrimp, oysters, and lobster. If you want a cheese spread, keep it to smooth, creamy samples like Brie. Salmon is also spectacular with sparkling wine—whether it's grilled as a main dish, served up on a salad, or presented with crackers. As for dessert: You simply can’t go wrong by serving Prosecco with a rich, creamy cheesecake.

Grilled Mango Salmon and Brie Recipe

Ingredients: 3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 4 (6 oz each) Salmon filets 4 oz Brie 2 Tbsp Butter 3 Diced Ripe Mangos Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees Take a large cast-iron pan and coat it with olive oil. Turn the stove to medium-high and sear the salmon—turning once, about 3-4 minutes per side. Then, top salmon with the Brie and cover the pan. Place the pan in the oven for approximately 15 minutes. Check to see if the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Now, melt the butter in a saucepan on the stove. Then, simmer the mango in the butter until the fruit is soft—approximately 15 minutes. Plate the salmon, and top it with buttered mango. Then pour your guests glasses of chilled Prosecco and enjoy! Once you’ve decided on the best pairing for a crisp flute of sparkling wine, pick up a bottle of Zonin Prosecco, and you’ll be all set for a delightful treat. Zonin Prosecco is made from Glera grapes grown in our family-owned vineyard in Italy. We take pride in offering the very best Prosecco available—always staying true to old-world traditions.