Welcome to the ultimate guide on sipping and snacking! We all love lounging on the couch with a glass of wine and a bag of chips, right? It’s a classic combination that brings us joy and comfort. But why settle for ordinary when we can elevate these pairings and take snacking to new heights?

We’ve got some expert tips from Sande Friedman, the beverage program manager at Di Bruno Brothers in Philadelphia. She knows a thing or two about pairing wine with everyday snacks for maximum enjoyment. And for some added inspiration, we’ve also picked up “Big Macs & Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World” by sommelier and writer Vanessa Price.

According to Sande, when it comes to regular potato chips, go wild with whatever unique wine strikes your fancy at that moment. Or if you want to jazz up your palate, try a skin-contact pétillant-naturel (or “pét-nat”) from Bloomer Creek in upstate New York. These unfiltered sparkling wines are dry, earthy, and have lively bubbles that elevate the snacking experience. On the other hand, Vanessa Price recommends pairing classic potato chips with champagne, because who needs an excuse to drink the good stuff, right?

Now, let’s talk about BBQ chips. Sande suggests pairing them with a medium or fuller red wine, like a soft Merlot-based red. But for those who want to be more adventurous, she recommends Mariotti Smarazen Bianco dell’Emilia, a fizzy blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes that has a peachy flavor reminiscent of peach barbecue sauce. Vanessa Price agrees and suggests Central Coast Pinot Noir as another excellent pairing with BBQ chips.

When it comes to vinegar chips, Sande admits it’s a challenging pairing. The strong vinegar flavor requires a wine that can handle the intensity. She recommends a still rosé made with Gamay grapes, like Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Gamay Noir Rosé. If you can’t find Gamay, a dry rosé will also do the trick.

Now, let’s indulge in some splurging. Sande loves Bichi’s Pet Mex Tecate, a rosé pétillant made from a wide blend of grapes. It balances the cheddar flavor of Doritos with its delightful sweetness and frothy-peachy taste. Sande also suggests off-dry wines like Riesling, Muscat, or Gewurztraminer-based wines as alternatives to balance the cheddar goodness.

Lastly, the junkiest of chip options, Cheetos. Sande recommends pairing them with a chilled light red wine like Fossil & Fawn’s annual ‘Do Nothing’ red blend. It’s a casual pairing that never disappoints. Vanessa Price also mentions Cheetos in her book and suggests pairing them with Sancerre, a crisp and dry white wine made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the Loire Valley.

So there you have it, fun tips on sipping and snacking from the pros. Remember, don’t be afraid to experiment and let your taste buds guide you to your perfect pairing. Whether you’re indulging in classic potato chips, BBQ chips, vinegar chips, Doritos, or Cheetos, there’s a wine out there that will enhance your snacking experience and take it to the next level. Cheers!

When it comes to snacks, we all have our favorites. Whether it’s a bag of sour cream and onion chips or a can of Pringles, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a salty treat while kicking back and watching a movie. But have you ever thought about what wine would pair best with these delectable snacks? Well, wine expert Sande has some suggestions for you.

Let’s start with the classic sour cream and onion chips. Sande recommends pairing these with a French Chardonnay. Look for one that is unoaked and medium weight, as this will provide the perfect balance for the bright lemon profile of the chips. The sour cream dust that coats the chips calls for a fairly substantial white wine, so something too light won’t do the trick. This pairing would also work well with salted potato chips and French onion dip.

Next up, Pringles. These iconic potato chips call for a fairly neutral palate, so Sande suggests going with a Chenin Blanc. This honeyed white grape from the Loire Valley in France is a favorite among wine geeks and complements the all-American chip perfectly. Specifically, Sande recommends Hobo Wine Co.’s Folk Machine Chenin Blanc.

Now, let’s talk about pretzels. The instinct might be to go with a red wine, but Sande recommends trying a Zweigelt-based wine instead. This will bring a little peppery flavor to the malty and wheaty taste of the pretzels. Sande also suggests experimenting with something funky, like a Jura white wine. These wines have an oxidative and aromatic profile, similar to sherry, and could be a unique and delicious pairing with a hard dark rye-style pretzel.

Moving on to sweet potato anything, Sande believes Pinot Noir is the red grape of choice. Whether it’s a sweet or savory sweet potato dish, Pinot Noir is the way to go. For a fancy option, Sande recommends Amelie Berthaut’s entry-level Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. If you’re looking for something with a bit more spice, the Copper Pot Pinot Noir from Thorne & Daughters in South Africa is a great choice. It has brambly and spicy notes but still maintains elegance and grace.

Finally, we come to the catch-all fun pairing for chips – Champagne. It’s not wrong to pair chips with Champagne, but Sande thinks if you’re splurging on real Champagne, you should also indulge in a luxury-flavored chip. Sande’s dream splurge includes Moussé Fils ‘Spécial Club’ Brut Champagne paired with Torres Truffle Chips. And why stop there? Sande suggests dunking the chips in some really ripe Harbison or Amontillado cheese for the ultimate indulgence.

So, the next time you’re craving a snack and a glass of wine, consider these expert recommendations. Who says chips and wine don’t go together?