Football and Wine: A Perfect Pairing

One of the best traditions of football season is gathering to watch the big game, whether it’s tailgating in a parking lot or packing into a living room with too many wannabe couch coaches yelling at the television. Regardless of the location, watching the game offers an opportunity of conviviality in which people indulge in platters of chicken wings, bratwurst, barbecue, casseroles, buffalo chicken dip and of course, alcohol.

When most people think about football and imbibing, wine isn’t necessarily the first choice; for many, it’s called upon about as much as the third string quarterback, but it should get more credit for its versatility. Wine pairs with most if not all football-related fare, and it doesn’t weigh you down like a six pack of cold ones. Football wine should be quite quaffable, highlighting its best qualities so that you don’t need food with each glass to enjoy it. You also don’t need to overspend as there are plenty of affordable options worth sharing with others that hit the right notes. Aim for bright and fresh flavors with lower tannins and alcohol in most situations, but as the season progresses and temps start to drop, deeper, juicier red wines paired with barbecued meats become a touch more appetizing.

Football is about as American as it gets, and in that spirit, this list features domestic vintners that produce world-class bottlings, all of which can be found in local shops throughout Northeast Florida. These wines are made by smaller-production, family-owned wineries who focus on thoughtful farming and a light use of the hand in the cellar, resulting in end products full of personality that truly showcase the authenticity of vintage and vineyard. I suggest putting a slight chill on the reds (pop in the refrigerator or dunk in ice for 20 minutes) for maximum drinkability and enjoyment. 

Cruse Wine Co. Cruse Tradition Sparkling Wine, California NV

Sparkling wine should not be designated only for special occasions. The best part about sparkling wine is that it pairs with virtually every single cuisine out there – think fried chicken to burgers, 7-layer dip to classic Lays potato chips – and there are many options available that won’t break the bank. This blend of chardonnay and pinot noir is an affordable price, but it drinks like a champagne and is formulated using the same process.

Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling, Seneca Lake, New York 2021

Forge is a very small producer on the southeastern side of Seneca Lake in Upstate New York. On a crisp fall day there is no wine I yearn for more than a Forge dry riesling. It pairs well with grilled veggies and raw oysters, but is also quite delectable on its own. Look for notes of white peaches, grapefruit and honeysuckle with a racy freshness that makes this wine chuggable.

Pax Trousseau Gris Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard, Russian River Valley, California 2022

Pax Mahle sources fruit for this bottling from the Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard, which is home to the last Trousseau Gris plantings (a French grape variety) in the United States. This wine sings with notes of peaches and orange peel mixed with juicy red berries and white flowers. Drink this by itself or with grilled chicken and portobello mushrooms. A cool novelty, the “Pax” on the label turns pink when it's at the perfect temperature.

Ovum Big Salt Orange Rose, Oregon 2023

This blend from Ovum in Oregon is composed of equal parts riesling and pinot gris, and the latter gives off a light pink hue from the grape skins (hence “Rose” in the name, but it’s actually an orange wine made in the Italian ramato style). Orange wine just seems to taste better in the fall. Try pairing this with jalapeño poppers or anything that has a spicy kick. On the palate, it screams citrus fruit and melon with a really pretty salted-honey note.

Swick Wines Only Zuul, Oregon 2022

Labeled as an American red wine, this bottling from Joe Swick is actually made from two white varieties, but the resulting color is a light strawberry red. The wine is textural and vibrant with really nice structure for a wine made from two white grapes. With notes of blood orange, grapefruit and rose petals, this wine drinks just as well out of a Solo cup as it does a wine glass, and it pairs perfectly with grilled pork chops, chicken wings and watermelon.

Jolie Laide Gamay Noir, Rancho Coda Vineyard, Sonoma County, California 2022

Gamay is often enjoyed in wines from Beaujolais located in the southern tip of Burgundy, but California is offering up some pretty on-par examples, including this single vineyard bottling by Jolie Laide from Rancho Coda Vineyard in Sonoma County. This gamay pairs perfectly with everything from chicken kabobs to hotdogs to what I really crave with it: a nice, juicy cheeseburger.

Lioco Carignan sativa, Mendocino County, California 2022

Produced from 70-year-old dry-farmed vines, this bottling from Lioco is textural and fruit forward while finishing completely dry on the back end. This red is a step up in body with notes of Morello cherries, boysenberry and lavender, and is quite enjoyable on its own without food. That being said, this wine would accompany a tray of pigs in a blanket, smash burgers or stuffed peppers nicely.

Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! (EWCY!) Marvelous Mourvedre, Contra Costa County, California 2022

Co-owner Hardy Wallace of EWCY! makes a variety of cuvées (first juice pressing) every year, but in super small quantities. He also specializes in Mourvedre, a full-bodied red or rosé wine produced from the grape of the same name, and this old vine bottling has some serious personality with a structure for long-term aging. I first tried this wine with Hardy while eating barbeque at The Bearded Pig in the San Marco neighborhood in Jacksonville, so I can personally attest to how wonderful it is with burnt ends and a pulled pork sandwich.

Arnot Roberts Syrah, California 2020

Duncun Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts started making wine in 2001 under the Arnot Roberts name, and their winery continues to be held in the highest regard by industry pros. Their 2020 syrah is sourced from cool-climate vineyards and the resulting wine is restrained and nuanced with aromas of red fruits, white pepper, green olive and cured meats. When I think of syrah, there is one grilled meat that comes to mind, and it reigns supreme: a saucy, glossy, sticky rack of barbecue ribs.

Ridge 3 Valleys, Sonoma County, California 2021

Ridge has been a stalwart producer of extraordinary single vineyard wines since 1962. A true icon in the wine world, their wines demand your attention. This zinfandel-dominant blend is rich but balanced with notes of blackberry, anise, espresso, dark chocolate and warming spices. When I drink this wine, I want one thing: a grilled ribeye, or even a fun cut like picanha with a nice fat cap, would be absolutely delightful.