Pairing Wine with Fast Food
A night in with a takeaway in front of the box is one of life’s simple pleasures. But just because you’ve given yourself a night off cooking and ordered in, you shouldn’t just wing it when it comes to choosing your wine! Fast food and a glass of vino can be a match made in heaven, so a bit of forward-thinking and planning when it comes to your wine pairing is essential. Follow our handy guide below for everything you need to know about pairing a bottle of the good stuff with your favourite fast food feast.
Fast Food Pairing House Rules
- Wines with higher levels of acidity work well with fattier, greasy foods.
- Always consider what side dishes you are having with your fast food – it’s important the wine pairs with all of the elements.
- Think about the intensity of the flavours in your meal – match spicy, flavoursome dishes with powerful wines.
- If in doubt, sparkling wines are generally a good all-rounder when it comes to fast food.
- It’s important to always consider texture just as much as flavour.
Types of Fast Food
Burger
First up, we are talking burgers. The juicy type that are smothered in melting cheese with mayo dripping down the side, all served up in a sweet brioche bun. With lots of elements to consider, pairing it with the right wine can seem a somewhat difficult task, however that doesn’t have to be the case.
Burger House Rules
- With burgers generally having a high fat content, more acidic wines pair rather well.
- Reds work better with beef, particularly those with a rich flavour and higher tannins.
- Chicken or veggie burgers lend themselves to lighter-bodied white wines.
Best Wines to Try
Reds — Medium-bodied
Malbec, Shiraz
Whites — Lighter-bodied
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
Classic Wine Pairings
Malbec and Beef Burger
Malbec is a good choice when it comes to meaty burgers. The rich flavour of this powerful red can really stand up to the meat. It is also robust enough to stand up to stronger flavours, so if you are a fan of a spicy mayo or a stronger cheese in your burger, this is a dream match.
Chardonnay and Chicken Burger
A lighter-bodied Chardonnay complements white meat well, so it’s a great match for a grilled chicken burger. It won’t overpower the meat but has enough structure to stand up to the rest of the components of the burger, such as the sweet brioche bun and sauce. The noticeable acidity, and the clean, crisp style will also help to cleanse the palate.
Pizza
There is no doubt that pizza and wine are just meant to be enjoyed together. With a multitude of pizza toppings to choose from it can be a difficult task trying to choose the ideal wine pairing. However, keep these rules in mind and you’ll be on to a winner.
Pizza House Rules
- Sweeter wines with bright fruit flavours work well with a traditional style, tomato-based pizza as the acidity in the wine helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Spicy pizzas can handle wines with a bit more attitude.
- Sparkling wines are a great option as these act as a palate cleanser and complement a number of pizza toppings, making it a good choice for your next pizza party.
Best Wines to Try
Reds — Fruity, medium-bodied
Cabernet Sauvignon
Whites — Medium-bodied
Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
Sparkling — Dry, crisp
Prosecco, Champagne
Classic Wine Pairings
Pinot Grigio and Margherita
Pairing Italian wine with Italian food is always a good combination. The zesty notes of an Italian Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the fresh flavours of tomato and Mozzarella, without being overpowering. The dryness also tends to feel lighter and delicate in the mouth, making a refreshing combination.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Meat Feast
With the intense meaty flavours, and spicy notes, a Cabernet is ideal here. The higher tannins pair well with the fattiness from the meat, whilst the powerful fruity notes create an exceptional richness. This wine can stand its ground, creating a formidable flavour combination.
Kebab
For most people, a kebab is associated with a boozy night out rather than sophisticated wine drinking. However, being a British fast food staple, we could not miss it out. Surprising to some, there are some great wine pairings that work wonderfully with a juicy, flavoursome kebab.
Kebab House Rules
- Rich reds with fruity flavours are the best choice as lighter wines can sometimes be overpowered by the flavours of the meat.
- Whites don’t need to be ruled out – those with higher acidity and apple notes work well.
- For milder kebabs, broad-shouldered whites or lighter reds are a good option.
Best Wines to Try
Whites — Off-dry
Pinot Gris
Reds — Medium-bodied
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Classic Wine Pairings
Pinot Gris and Chicken Shish
With this being a milder option, Pinot Gris is the perfect match. The richness and fuller body of a Pinot Gris helps to complement the mild, yet very flavoursome meat of a chicken shish without becoming overpowering. The fruity notes also help to leave a refreshing finish. This works particularly well if you load your kebab up with fresh salad.
Merlot and Doner Kebab
Love it or hate it, doner kebab is a popular choice when it comes to takeaways. Merlot is a great option here, due to it being well rounded, medium-bodied, and relatively low acidity. It has a richness that complements the meatiness of the lamb donner. It’s best to opt for a New World Merlot here if possible, as it will be slightly lighter on the palate.
Fried Chicken
A bucket of fried chicken and a glass of vino is a somewhat underrated combination. The aim here is to find something that complements the mild flavour of the meat, whilst cutting through the salty, crispy coating, leaving you feeling refreshed after a deep-fried meal.
Fried Chicken House Rules
- Sparkling wines are a good choice as they are the right balance between rich and refreshing, and help to cut through the greasiness of deep-fried food.
- Wines with higher acidity levels work well as these also cut through the fat and salt in a similar way to sparkling wine.
- Sticking to white wines is a good idea, however if red is your thing be sure go for a lighter-bodied one to stop the meat being overpowered.
Best Wines to Try
Reds — Light-bodied
Pinot Noir, Grenache
Whites — Higher acidity, medium-bodied
Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
Sparkling — Acidic
Champagne
Classic Wine Pairings
Sauvignon Blanc and Fried Chicken Bucket
An Old World Sauvignon is a great match here. Crisp and acidic, this white helps to cut through the fat. This pairs better than a New World Sauvignon as the citrusy notes leave you with a refreshing finish. As with all whites, make sure to chill this one before serving.
Grenache and Spicy Fried Chicken Burger
When it comes to spicy fried chicken, we need something that can stand up against the kick, whilst also work well with the oil and grease. A Grenache can be just the ticket here! Lighter-bodied, with a rich fruity flavour, this is a great choice for mildly spicy foods. We suggest going for an Old World Grenache here as they tend to have slightly lower alcohol, which helps to tame the heat a little.
Curry
Whether it’s a spicy vindaloo or a creamy, mild chicken tikka masala, pairing wine with curries can be a challenge. With a number of factors to consider from texture to spice level, you need to think carefully when choosing the right wine.
Curry House Rules
- High alcohol wines intensify the heat from curries, therefore it’s best to avoid these with spicy curries.
- Crisp, cold whites do a good job at easing heat.
- Avoid sparkling wines as these can leave you with an unpleasant metallic aftertaste because of the spice!
Best Wines to Try
Reds — Light to medium-bodied
Pinot Noir, Beaujolais
Whites — Off-dry
Riesling, Pinot Gris
Classic Wine Pairings
Beaujolais and Chicken Tikka Masala
The acidity of Beaujolais along with the low tannins creates a smooth wine that’s rich but not overpowering. This complements the creaminess of a Tikka Masala but offers enough body to balance the mild spice level. Despite being a red, don’t be nervous to serve this slightly chilled.
Riesling and Vindaloo
If you’re into curries that pack a punch, then something to ease the heat is a necessity here. A well-chilled Riesling can do just that, with citrusy notes and a sweetness that challenges the heat. Rieslings also typically have lower alcohol levels which is the key to complementing anything spicy.
Fish and Chips
Brits spend a staggering £1.2 billion on Fish and Chips every year, so of course we had to include this in our fast food guide! With a variety of fish available, as well as a choice of sides from mushy peas to gravy to curry sauce, there is lots to consider here. However, pairing Fish and Chips with an appropriate wine is actually surprisingly simple.
Fish and Chips House Rules
- When it comes to white fish such as cod or haddock, it’s best to stick to whites.
- For lean, flaky fish go for light and zesty, whilst for meatier fish go for more medium-bodied.
- Sparkling wines are also a good choice as the fizz works well with the salt and the acidity helps with the oil.
Best Wines to Try
Whites — Light to medium-bodied
New Zealand Sauvignon, Chardonnay
Sparkling — Acidic
Champagne, English Sparkling Wine
Classic Wine Pairings
Champagne and Fish and Chips
A classic combination that most people are unaware of. The high acidity helps to balance out the oil and fat from the deep-fried fish, whilst the fizziness and citrus flavours cleanse the palate leaving your taste-buds feeling refreshed.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Fish and Chips
If fizz isn’t your thing, New World, dry Sauvignon from New Zealand is a great alternative. The high acidity works in the same way as the Champagne, helping to cut through the oil, whilst the tropical notes give a satisfying finish. This one is a real crowd pleaser.
