This weekend, we’re excited to partner with the 19th Annual Chili Cookoff hosted by Historic Columbia & The Palladium Society, at the Music Farm. Whether you’re headed to the Music Farm on Saturday for the event or whipping up a batch at home, a comforting bowl of chili deserves a drink that can stand up to its big flavor. Today our wine buyer Mike van Beyrer proves that beer isn’t the only choice — check out our favorite wines that make the best chili pairings.
Leitz Riesling QBA 2015 ($11.99)
This bright, invigorating wine is a perfect match for the signature spice of chili. Luscious yet tart, it has notes of peach, cherry, and rhubarb seemingly suffused with salt.
Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rose 2016 ($9.99)
Moulin de Gassac Guilhem is fresh, vivid and fruity, coating the mouth to pair extremely well with chili.
Ionis Primitivo Ater Italian Red 2012 ($19.99)
This wine displays an exceptionally fruit forward bouquet of cherry and strawberry. It has a dark plum red color and is full bodied with hints of chocolate and black cherry. A decadent choice for a meat-heavy chili.
Francois Montand Blanc de Blanc French Sparkling ($10.99)
The creamy essence of this choice is a nice offset to chili’s heat. Wine Spectator describes this choice’s flavors with notes of pear, quince and ginger, with a lingering hint of walnut to balance a heavy chili.
Cheers!