Wine Pairings for Man Food #SundaySupper

This week’s #SundaySupper theme is all about “man” food.  I find it interesting that just as there are foods that considered “masculine” versus “feminine”, there are wines that are considered “masculine”, and “feminine”.

What is a masculine wine you ask? I think of it a masculine wine as a full-bodied wine rather than a light-bodied or delicate wine.  For example, a Cabernet Sauvignon, or Petite Sirah, or a Port would be considered masculine compared to a most white wines, Rosé, Sparkling wines or Pinot Noir.

But when it come to pairing food with wine, I don’t think of it in male vs. female terms. I stick to one of the most essential wine and food pairing guidelines.  And that is pair the weight of the food with the weight of wine. 

Wine Pairings For Man Food #SundaySupper
Nom, nom, nom! Image courtesy of bbs.barnsleyfc.org.uk

Speaking of wine and food pairing tips here are few more that are especially appropriate for the items on this week’s #SundaySupper  menu:

  1. High impact cooking methods like grilling, and smoking move chicken and turkey over to the “dark” side of the wine and food pairing spectrum.  Think pink or red wine!
  2. Can’t bear a red wine because it’s too hot? Think Pink!  A dry Rosé is very food friendly.  Good Rosés combine the crispness and refreshment of white wine (serve chilled) with unusual and intriguing flavors–some of the red fruits typical of red wine, but also notes of tea, citrus, strawberries, or watermelon. One of my favorites is the Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rosé. 
  3. Finally, if you heavily sauce chicken, turkey, and pork, pair to the sauce rather than the type of meat. 

Check out this week’s fantastic menu of “Man” food recipes put together by the #SundaySupper team, and my wine pairing recommendations.

Manly Starters:

Pair these starters with an off-dry (slightly sweet) sparkling wine.  Bubbly goes with virtually everything thanks to its palate cleansing acidity and effervescence.  It pairs especially well with fried food, and salty foods.  Look for Mumm Napa Cuvee M.  It has a crisp, refreshing, easy to like peach, pear, vanilla and subtle caramel character.  And since it’s slightly sweet it’ll stand up to the spicier starters. 

Manly Mains:

Pair these dishes with Petite Sirah, an under appreciated grape variety that is fabulous with BBQ, burgers, ribs, grilled and smoked meats, and foods with Latin flavors.  Look for the 2011 The Crusher Grower’s Selection Petite Sirah.  It’s a blend of mostly Petite Sirah and Merlot, plus Cabernet Sauvignon and a few Portuguese grape varieties with a bold, full-bodied, blackberry, black cherry, white pepper, smoke meat, and spiced vanilla character. 

Pair these dishes with an off-dry Riesling.  One of my favorites is the 2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen Riesling Columbia Valley Eroica – It’s off-dry with vibrant acidity and a beautiful white peach, grapefruit and mineral character.

Pair these dishes with Chianti from Italy.  A perennial favorite of mine is the 2009 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva. It shows a mouth-filling dried red fruit, sweet spice, and dried herb character with a very satisfying finish. 

Pair these dishes with Pinot Noir.  I recommend the 2012 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir. It shows a supple texture and an enticing plum, tart cherry, cranberry, and spiced vanilla character.  

Manly Desserts: 

Pair these desserts with Port.  Look for Warre’s “Otima” 10-year-old Tawny Port. It’s a rich tawny with a toffee, caramel, honey and dried fruits character. 

Pair these desserts with a Moscato d’Asti from Italy.  Look for the 2013 Saracco Moscato d’Asti. It shows a sweet, fragrant, delicate, floral, tropical fruit, apple and a hint of honey character.  

Happy Father’s Day to the man in your life!


Sunday Supper Movement Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday!
 We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our#SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

62 Comments

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  2. Renee Dobbs says:

    Awesome pairings as always Martin!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks so much Renee. Your pie looks amazing!

  3. Thank you Martin! Always love trying your recommendations! Love having you around the family table this week!!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks Isabel! It’s great to be back around the family table! I love offering wine pairing recommendations for such a talented family of foodies!

  4. Love your pairings and tips!

  5. Run DMT says:

    This is BRILLIANT! What a great list. Thank you!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks so much Denise!

  6. I always learn something new on your site! I had no idea that I should pair a wine with the sauce of a heavily sauced food. Really good to know! And I love the pairing of the champagne with my coconut prawns. PERFECT!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks so much Susan. Yes…bubbly make virtually everything better!

  7. Such handy tips, as always! Happy Father’s Day!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks Sarah!

  8. marbaird says:

    I love all your pairings and I made a dish that you paired up with bubbly, which happens to be my favorite.

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks so much Marlene!

  9. Stacy says:

    Great suggestions, Martin, as always!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks so much Stacy. Cheers!

  10. Thank you Martin. We are new to wine drinking and this really helps.

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks Sherron! If you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out!

  11. akiasi says:

    I get an education every time I visit. I’m very interested in the wine you suggested for the Huevos Rancheros, as we eat that dish a few times a month in our house. 🙂 Thanks Martin!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks Alaiyo. Your kind words mean much to me!

  12. Thanks for the pairing, Martin! Sirah sounds like a perfect bbq wine!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks Cindy. Hope you can find the wine or something similar to enjoy with that great dish!

  13. What a great list! Thank you for sharing these wonderful pairings!!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks for your kind words Marion!

  14. Oh I agree Chianti would have been perfect with my pizza. Can’t wait to be able to enjoy a glass of wine again.

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks Laura! On the positive side…I suppose it’s nice to have something to look forward to!

  15. Martin, you always blow me away with your knowledge on wine. And you always convince me to give roses a try when I wouldn’t have before. Thanks for another fabulous wine pairing with our Sunday Supper meals!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:

      Thanks Nancy!

  16. hipfoodiemom says:

    love all the wine pairings! have you heard of Entwine Wines?! if so, what do you think?

  17. eulalia24 says:

    This is perfect. I would love to learn more about Wine Pairing.

    Thanks for sharing your ideas here.

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