One of the things I learned in my wine education studies (and hey, I’m now officially WSET-2 certified with distinction, wow!) was learning the basics of how to pair wine with food.
But what if we pair wine with cheer up?
I know, I often select a bottle of wine (or other beverage) based not only on what I eat, but also on how I feel.
Here are some fun examples…
- Sun and smiles? Pink time.
- Celebratory vibes after work? Give me bubbles.
- Cold and rainy night? A big, bold red to warm you up.
- Easy, breezy weekend lunch? Mocktail, please.
I eat and exercise intuitively and mindfully (asking myself and my body what I really want and need), and I find that a similar approach to choosing wine and other beverages really brings a lot of joy to my life.
And I am dedicated to choosing joy when I can!
If you’re also looking to add a little joy to your life with drinks, read on for some of my recent favorite drink and mood pairings!
Mood: You feel fancy, but it’s a cold weeknight and you don’t want to leave the house.
Pairing: Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserva Carménère 2019
Why we like this combination: Carmenère is a big, bold grape that simply warms your soul. this bottle It also shows it off beautifully. There are blackberries, plums and black cherries, plus hints of white pepper and herbal notes. The tannins are soft and silky, with a lovely acidity to balance it all out. Which is not surprising, since the wines of Los Vascos are made with the same care as the Grand Crus of Bordeaux and are of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Yes, elegant, but approximately $20 a bottle (disclosure: we are Vivino affiliates), it won’t break the bank.
Mood: When your really loving friends come over and you want to introduce them to something new.
Pairing: Owl’s Brew Spiced Chai Cranberry Alcoholic Tea
Why we like this combination: This fun and festive (in our opinion) drink is not only tastier than your usual hard seltzer, but it’s also made with good stuff, like freshly brewed tea blends flavored with real fruits and botanicals. In flavors like Spiced Chai and Blueberry, Darjeeling Tea and Hibiscus Flower, and White Tea, Raspberry and Lemon, they are never boring. We also greet Owl Brew Being gluten free, vegan and woman owned!
Mood: You want to contribute, but you’re not ready to go to a fancy fundraiser with a big crowd just yet.
Pairing: A bottle from the Humanity Wine Co. wine club.
Why we like this combination: We recently received a shipment of Humanity Wine Co., and not only was it a great way to donate to a good cause, but it was also a fun way to try some new wines. You can see our full tasting experience and thoughts on our Insta story. here, but they sent us four tasty bottles from family-owned wineries and boutique vineyards. And the best part? The company donates 50 percent of its net income to philanthropy, so with every enjoyable sip, you’re giving back. these surprising causes.
Oh, and if you’re looking for a fun game to play. while trying some of these wines, give SipperParty a try! It requires no prior wine knowledge and allows anyone willing to drink and rate to play via an app, in addition to the above benefits. Grab some buds and give it a try!
Mood: When you want a few beers, but you don’t want to feel like you just had a few beers.
Pairing: A can (or two) of Bravus.
What’s good about it? Bravus is that it is not an alternative to beer; In fact, is real beer, only with less than 0.5 percent ABV. Using a proprietary brewing process, they taste like craft beer, but are vegan, dairy-free, low-calorie, low-sugar, and gluten-free. Our favorite was the IPA!
Mood: You want to drink something really good…but you’re at the tailgate.
Pairing: clean and fresh NEFT
Made with just two ingredients (non-GMO, ancient rye grains grown in Lower Saxony and spring water from the Austrian Alps for those who are curious), NEFT It’s a premium vodka that you can take anywhere and it stays cold! Packaged in a portable, unbreakable barrel that looks a lot like a small oil drum, it stays cold for hours.
Mood: You want to drink something fun, but you stay sober.
Pairing: So. Many. Options!
Really good and interesting non-alcoholic drinks used to be few, but in recent years the sober and curious market has solved this problem. Recently, we have received a number of mixers and drinks in our office that are interesting, tasty and totally complex. That we love it!
Curious elixirs (disclosure: I’m also an affiliate because we really like them) are mocktails with adaptogens and complex flavors without being too sweet (yay!). Created by world-class bartenders, herbalists and food scientists with quality ingredients, each blend has its own purpose, ranging from stimulation to relaxation. In fun foodie flavors like Blood Orange Spritz Holy Basil + Gingseng and Juniper Cucumber Collins Lemon +Ashwagandha + Angelica, you won’t feel like you’re missing the party at all.
For wine drinkers, without alcohol. strange wine It’s like nothing we’ve ever had before (and in a good way). Aiming to create world-class, traditionally made wines, these wines are sourced from the finest vineyards in France and Italy and matured for up to 12 months before alcohol is removed using a unique method that preserves flavours. We found that the Oddbird Low Intervention Organic White No. 1, which is a natural white wine produced from the local Vespaiola and Garganega grape varieties, is a little sweet with pear, honey crisp apple, honeycomb and candied lemon, and the Oddbird Low. Intervention Organic Red No. 1, which is a natural red wine from Merlot and Pinot Noir, has flavors of apple, cinnamon, blueberry, and just-ripe blackberry. By far the most interesting NA wines we’ve tried so far!
For those looking for something a little bubbly and sweet, you can’t go wrong with Mix mocktails. Made with natural ingredients and no chemical additives, you can get festive flavors like Cranberry Cosmo, Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Cucumber Melon Mojito, Moscow Mule, and Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa. Offered in standard 750ml bottles or 12oz cans, there’s a size for every occasion.
Some tasty options, right? Now all we need to know is: what is YOUR mood? And what will you combine it with? –Jenn
