I discovered this in my post college broke years.
My fellow Americans, have you ever opened a bottle of wine that fits your budget and then it’s harsh with some overpowering off notes? If so, read on…
I’ve always found nice (for me, expensive is $15+) wines that are great with a savory main must be finished before dessert. A once a month splurge, then. A typical rich and sweet dessert clashes on your palate and that fine, expensive wine stops tasting good.
So with desert, you have to drink something else, right? Hold it right there as I relay this story from my past.
I once had a neighbor in my apartment complex bring over some brownies, and I had nothing to offer them but a bottle of two buck chuck I was going to use for cooking. Brownies, and Charles Shaw Merlot, I think it was. Popped it open, yuck, a nasty wine, munch a bite of brownie, and my goodness the angels sing from the heavens, this wine is amazing. I’m told I’m somehow a genius for putting the two together.
Anyone find something similar?
Cheap wine pairings that actually work
byu/peoplemerge inFrugal
Posted by peoplemerge
17 Comments
You gotta check out Sam the sommelier on instagram. This is her niche.
Kalamata olives taste like candy when paired with red wine. Phenomenal.
There’s no such thing as a wine pairing. It’s all fake marketing. Just drink what you like
Does anyone else remember wine pairings with Girl Guide cookies? This sounds similar.
From extensive testing i can confirm this does not work for white wine
Obviously you need a membership or a friend with a membership but Costco (Kirkland) has some really knock out wines for short money. They have a French red for under $7 a bottle and it’s not vinegar I swear. Pairs well with red sauce and red meat.
White cheddar and walnuts.
Really gotta try the trader joes brand wine
If you are near a grocery outlet they sell decent wines at cheap prices
The problem with wines like 2 buck chuck was not the taste but the wicked headaches it wound give me after one glass. The additives in cheaper wine makes it unenjoyable. There are definitely some cheaper wines that I don’t have this problem with, but that’s the real find for me.
Cava and chicken fried
Yes, a strong flavored red can go well with sweet chocolate.
I’m no elite, but I don’t drink Chuck. I also don’t use bad wine for cooking. If a wine doesn’t taste good for drinking it won’t add anything pleasant in cooking.
Trader Joe’s stuff is actually nice
lol, Sounds awesome! I’ll have to check her out for more budget-friendly pairing tips. Thanks for the heads up.
Aldi in my area has been having a brand called “California Heritage” and the ones that I’ve tried are amazing at $6
I agree, I bought a $6 bottle of overly acidic cabernet and a slice of dark chocolate cake. Sipped it after a bite and it suddenly tasted smooth and rich, like it was made that way on purpose.
Check out the “Reverse Wine Snob.” Frugal wines that are good!