There’s no need to reserve wine pairings for special occasions and gourmet meals. A fantastic red or white wine can elevate your favorite takeout dish, turning a guilty pleasure into a delightful indulgence. A great wine pairing enhances the food’s flavors, so you can fully appreciate its greasy goodness. So, whether you're craving a bucket of fried chicken, stir-fried noodles, or a slice of pizza, take your takeout up a notch with a well-paired wine.
Fried Chicken
Crispy, salty, and decidedly indulgent, fried chicken begs for a bright, palate-cleansing wine. For the full picnic-style experience, pair a deep-fried wing with a slightly sweet wine to counteract the sodium. Sparkling wine is a perfect choice; the bubbles feel refreshing and light, balancing the fat and salt of the fried chicken. If you aren't in the mood for bubbly, try a dry, acidic Riesling.
Best Wine for Fried Chicken
Pizza
Pizza and wine are always a satisfying pairing, whether you're ordering a takeout slice from the corner pizza joint or an elegant wood-fired pie. A medium-bodied red blend complements the acidity of a pizza slathered with tomato sauce. If your slice is topped with spicy pepperoni or sausage, try a fuller-bodied Cabernet or Chianti. When it comes to the delicate flavors of white pizza, it's hard to go wrong with white wine, either sweet or dry. If you must have a glass of red, Pinot Noir adds body without overwhelming the pie.
Best Wine for Pizza Pairings
Tacos
Make the most of a taco with an equally intense wine. Look for a red with a bit of pepper, such as a Syrah (Shiraz) or a Grenache — the spicy flavors enhance the cumin and chili in the tacos for an exciting and extremely aromatic result. Malbecs’ dark fruit flavors and smoky finish also make a great pairing for your takeout tacos, especially if you're adding a dollop of sour cream.
Best Wine for Tacos
Chinese Food
The best Chinese food and wine pairings depend on the sauces and seasonings of the dish. Balance sweet, sticky sauces with a refreshing Moscato. Try a Sauvignon Blanc with a soy-heavy dish such as lo mein. If you're ordering an extra-spicy meal, an off-dry Riesling has high acidity to cleanse your palate between bites and a touch of sweetness to calm the spice.
Best Wine for Chinese Food
Burgers
Fast-food burgers, with their thin patties and relatively light flavors, pair well with sparkling wines. If you’re planning to drench the burger in ketchup, opt for a sweeter sparkling wine like Moscato d’Asti. For a fun high-low pairing, enjoy your burger with a glass of Champagne. Gourmet burgers with decadent toppings like bacon and blue cheese call for a fuller-bodied wine such as Syrah, or even Cabernet Sauvignon, for a more balanced pairing.
Best Wine for Burgers
Indian Food
Indian food and its rich, spicy sauces can be quite the riddle when it comes to pairing wines. While sweeter wines work well with spicy food, the most important thing to keep in mind is alcohol and tannin. Wines with higher ABVs or lots of tannins will make the dish seem even spicier.
Off-dry Rieslings are a classic pairing because of the slight residual sugar. But fresh, dry white wines can also work well. Grüner Veltliner is a great option that has lots of acidity to soothe the spice of the dish and complement the flavors. If you want to pair a red wine, opt for something with softer tannins such as Merlot or wine with peppery flavors like Zinfandel.
