Wines to Pair with Comfort Foods

There is nothing better on a cold, rainy, snowy, icy, damp, or just long and stressful day than a plate of steaming hot comfort. Extra homemade bread and butter please! Sure, sipping a glass of Pinot Gris with foie gras is the epitome of elegance - but sometimes, we just want some of Mom’s famous mac & cheese or Pop’s pasta al fredo. What are some great go-to comfort food and wine pairings?

Wines to Pair with Comfort Foods

Speaking of mac & cheese - creamy, goey, satisfying mac & cheese - pour a glass of cabernet franc. The dry red has notes of raspberry, strawberry, bell pepper, and chili pepper. The complex notes pair perfectly with this classic noodle dish, adding a smooth tone that’s not too heavy and not too light.

If you’re looking for the perfect meatloaf wine pairing, don’t be afraid to go bold. A strong red, like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, or shiraz will be able to stand up to the hearty meat and mashed potatoes (because you are required, by law, to have mashed potatoes with meatloaf). They’ll taste even better if you use tomato sauce or paste in your loaf. 

Pot roast is another dish where red wine rules: try a merlot. Heck, you can even add some while you’re cooking it to infuse dynamic flavor into the meat. 

Some of our other favorite wines to pair with comfort foods:

Riesling and chicken pot pie

Pinot gris or pinot grigio with grilled cheese and tomato soup

Chili and pinot noir

Riesling and Chinese takeout (what’s more comforting than food you don’t have to cook!)

Chardonnay with turkey and all the fixings 

Off-dry riesling with BBQ pork and potato salad

Cabernet sauvignon or shiraz with sloppy joes and fries, burgers, or pastas with meaty, red sauce

What are your favorite comfort food and wine pairings?