Delicious and Unique Wine Pairing Appetizers

Photo by Jordan

 

 

Finding the perfect appetizers to serve at your wine gathering can sometimes be a challenge. That is why we have curated for you 5 of the best appetizer and wine pairings. All of the appetizers range from simple classics to some unique and fancy. We guarantee that you will find one you that you will love!

Wine Friendly Recipes

FOOD: ROASTED TOMATO AND BURRATA CROSTINI AND ROSE WINE

WINE: LIQUID GEOGRAPHY ROSE

 

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Serving: 12 servings

 

This delectable appetizer is perfect for any wine pairing party. It is roasted tomato and creamy burrata cheese topped on a crispy bread.

 

This simple appetizer pairs perfectly with a Rose from Spain, our selection, Liquid Geography Rose. Furthermore, it is a dry rosé wine made with Mencia grapes from 53-year-old vines in the region of Bierzo in northwest Spain, granting the perfect palette quencher with this tart and savory appetizer.

 

We always use Inspired by Charm’s recipe for this appetizer. Below are the ingredients you will need and the directions to make this perfect food and wine pairing.

 

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 loaf of baguette bread
• 1 ball burrata cheese
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• Sea salt flakes and freshly ground pepper
• Fresh basil to garnish
• 1 recipe for roasted tomatoes - (recipe linked here)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Begin by slicing your baguette on a slight diagonal into 12-14 slices.
• Place the slices onto a baking sheet and brush them with olive oil. Set your oven to broil and then put your baking sheet of baguettes into the oven until lightly browned.
• Remove from the oven and transfer the crostini to a platter. Top each with a serving of burrata and then about 2 of the roasted cherry tomatoes.
• To finish, drizzle lightly with olive oil and top each with sea salt flakes and freshly ground pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil. Serve immediately 

This wine is a pale pink and not only pairs perfectly with this holiday appetizer, it also looks beautiful when placed side by side. Aromas and flavors of strawberries, red-currant and white pepper show very good clarity and energy. Finishes taut and minerally, with an echo of red berries. And if the flavors were not enough, this wine donates 100% of Liquid Geography's profits in equal parts to: the TJ Martell Foundation in its search for cancer cures, World Central Kitchen an organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters, and Wheeling Forward to help people with disabilities experience life to the fullest. Talk about a wine that gives back to charity!

 

Serve the Roasted Tomato and Burrata Crostini warm and the Rose chilled. This is a great first course to any wine party. If you are throwing a wine pairing party read our latest blog post on how to host the ultimate wine pairing party, inclusive of a 5 course food and wine pairing menu.

Amazing Potato Appetizer

FOOD: POTATO AND PARSNIP LATKES

WINE:  SANTA JULIA ORGANICA CABERNET SAUVIGNON (2019)

 

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Serving: 8

 

Our next wine and appetizer pairing is a Potato and Parsnip Latkes. These parsnip infused latkes provide not only a simple and delicious vegetarian party food option but an appetizer that is on the heartier side.

 

 

 

 

Offer a side of cinnamon applesauce or dill infused sour cream for a little extra touch. We suggest pairing this delicious appetizer with Santa Julia Organica Cabernet Sauvignon (2019). A satisfying, juicy cabernet with currant and plum character, light tannins and a delicious, fresh finish. This bottle is meant to be served chilled a little not too cold but not a toasty room temperature either.  

 

We absolutely love the Country Living’s take on the classic Jewish recipe.

 

 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large eggs, whisked
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/4 lb. russet potatoes, peeled
• 3/4 lb. parsnips, peeled
• 1 large onion
• 1/2 c. matzo meal
• 12 tbsp. canola oil, for frying
• Sour cream and applesauce, for serving

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Place eggs in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Grate potatoes, parsnips, and onion with a food processor or box grater. Add vegetables and matzo meal to eggs and toss to combine.
3. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop 4 (1/4-cup) spoonfuls of potato mixture into skillet; flatten to create even pancakes. Cook, turning once, until browned, 8 to 12 minutes; transfer to a prepared baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with remaining potato mixture, adding more oil to the skillet as needed (when getting near the end of the potato mixture, strain and discard any liquid at bottom of the bowl).
4. Serve with sour cream and applesauce alongside.

 

Appetizer Comfort Food Southern Style

FOOD: PIMIENTO CHEESE DIP

WINE:  U-TURN UCO VALLEY MALBEC (2015)

 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Serving: 8

 

A southern staple, this luscious dip filled with three kinds of cheese and spicy pimiento peppers is served with veggies, pita or sturdy chips. Also great on buttery crackers with accoutrement of thin radish slices or bacon chunks.

 

Pair this rich dip with the lighter body but deep flavor U-Turn Uco Valley Malbec (2015).   Sourced from Mendoza's high altitude Uco Valley, this blend is meant to showcase the cool climate style of Malbec. Intense floral aromatics, dark fruit flavors, rich texture and a bright, fresh finish. Many might feel an urge to pair this cheese appetizer with a white wine but trust us, once you combine these flavors you understand how we feel.

 

 

 

 

The pimiento cheese dip recipe that we prefer to use year round when hosting wine nights, comes from Woman’s Day.

 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1/2 c. low-fat sour cream
• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• kosher salt
• Pepper
• 1 jar pimientos or roasted red peppers
• 6 oz. sharp orange Cheddar
• 6 oz. pepper Jack cheese
• 2 scallions
• Potato chips
• Pita chips
• Celery sticks

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Fold in the pimientos, Cheddar, Jack cheese, and scallions.
2. Transfer the mixture to a shallow 2-cup baking dish and bake until bubbling and light golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Serve with chips and celery, if desired.

 

The Ambitious Cook’s Appetizer

FOOD: HERBED CHEESE FILLED GOUGERES CROQUEMBOUCHE

WINE: ALLAMAND H (2013) 

 

 

Decidedly easier to eat than to pronounce, these puff pastries are normally found in an artistically spirited tower filled with a sweet pastry cream laced with caramel. This savory twist adds rich gruyere to the pastry, trades the filling for herbed cheese and spikes the caramel drizzle with coarse black pepper.  

 

Keep up the glamour of this dish with a surprisingly lavish bottle of Allamand H (2013). One of the trendiest and most exclusive bottles of the Uco Valley, this wine is a gorgeous black garnet in color. Mature aromas of spring garden, tar, mixed berry coulis, and dark chocolate dipped smoked meats with a lightly tannic, lively, dry-yet-fruity full body and a thought-provoking, long fine leather, terra cotta, plump dried fruits, and cherry cola finish with firm, grippy tannins and moderate oak flavor. An elegant and mature South American cab blend that will drink well for years to come.

 

 

Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens

 

 

This delicious and fancy appetizer is one of our favorites. If you are up for trying your hand at this masterpiece, you will find all the details at Bon Appetit. They give the fullest expression of what is needed to recreate this savory show stopper. This one is sure to make an impression on your guests at your next wine tasting party.

 

A Classic Wine Pairing Appetizer

FOOD: SHRIMP COCKTAIL

WINE: NORTICO ALVARINHO

 

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Serving: Make as much as you need

 

 

 

 

The all time classic shrimp cocktail has made its way onto this list. We cannot help but love this dish. It is simple, easy and absolutely delicious to eat and enjoy with a bright and fun white wine. Furthermore, we just gave you an extremely hard dish to try, we had to follow up with something that everyone can do no matter the ‘foodie’ level.

 

We recommend you pair this classic appetizer with the white wine, Nortico Alvarinho from Portugal. This is a young, fresh white wine with the characteristic bright acidity and aromas of peach and grapefruit. Nortico is light and delicate, lovely on its own to sip on as you wait for your guests to arrive. A terrific seafood wine, it also pairs particularly well with salty, fattier dishes like linguini with clams or broiled oysters.

 

This simple light dish tosses fresh shrimp in with the best homemade cocktail sauce you have ever had.  The nice thing is that you can make the shrimp cocktail sauce in advance, buy delicious, frozen shrimps and in a few minutes you have a party favorite appetizer.

 

INGREDIENTS

• Ketchup
• Fresh lemon juice
• Worcestershire sauce
• Prepared horseradish
• Minced garlic
• Hot sauce (optional)

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small bowl mix together the ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic.
2. Mix in prepared horseradish, tasting and adding more if desired. If you like, add a dash or two of hot sauce for an extra spicy kick.
3. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.

 

Well there you have it ladies and gentlemen, our top five favorite, delicious wine and appetizer pairings. To purchase a case of any of the wines listed above please shop at the only online wine retailer that donates 50% of its net revenues back to charity, Humanity Wine Co. When you purchase more than a case of wine we throw in an extra bonus for you. If you have any questions at all please reach out to our team, Hello@humanitywineco.com