If we have mimosas for brunch why not skip the OJ and just enjoy a glass of wine?
Pairing wine with your favorite brunch dish can be challenging only because we don’t usually consider bacon and eggs with a wine pairing.
But if we apply the same principles to brunch dishes that we apply to dinner, the perfect match is easier than you may think.
Chicken and Waffles
Fried chicken and waffles can be found on menus everywhere and especially in the South. It may be an expected pairing but Champagne is an ideal choice. Not only does it offer the indulgence associated with brunch, it has the acidity needed for the crisp waffle and the refreshing bubble to cut the crunchy crust of the chicken.
THE VALUE
- NV Gruet Brut, New Mexico (about $18 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- NV Iron Horse Sparkling Wine, California (about $47 retail)
Blueberry Pancakes and French Toast
These brunch items are generally sweet, so the standard rule applies: sweet dishes need a wine equal in sweetness or slightly sweeter. Moscato d’Asti is an ideal pairing with its light body, delicate bubble and low alcohol.
THE VALUE
- NV Cupcake Moscato d’Asti, Italy (about $13 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- NV Scrapona Moscato d’Asti, Italy (about $16 retail)
Meat Casseroles, Frittatas and Omelets
Robust dishes filled with bacon, sausage and ground beef need a wine with enough body and tannic structure to stand up to these ingredients. The earthy characteristics of pinot noir accentuates the rich savory and smoky flavors of these dishes but also offer a lighter body than most red wines.
THE VALUE
- 2016 A by Acacia Pinot Noir, California (about $14 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- 2016 Presqu’ile Santa Barbara Pinot Noir, California (about $22 retail)
Eggs Benedict
Nothing says brunch like eggs Benedict. There is something about this dish that makes us feel our brunch menu is complete. Because of the weight of the eggs and the robust ham, a rose is a complement to this item. Because rose wines offer the slight tannic structure we find in red wines it enables the dish to not be overpowered by high gritty tannins. It’s also a refreshing addition because of its medium acidity and chilled serving temperature.
THE VALUE
- 2017 Apothic Rose, California (about $12 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- 2017 A to Z Wineworks Rose, Oregon (about $17 retail)