Celebrate “Galentine’s Day” with Outside-the-Chocolate-Box Pairings
Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler’s character from Parks and Rec, first popularized “Galentine’s Day,” an unofficial holiday, as a specific day set aside for “ladies celebrating ladies.” Galentine’s Day, along with Valentine’s Day, is right around the corner, and WineShop At Home, the nation’s premier direct to consumer wine company, has you covered whether you’re going to gather your gal tribe for brunch, lunch, dinner, popcorn and a movie, or a more traditional Valentine’s Day. Whether your tastes range from the traditional to the trendy, wine is the perfect accompaniment to any gathering of either girlfriends or heart-mates. The company’s Winemaker, Alex Reble, shares some ideas for outside-the-chocolate-box wine pairings—beyond the usual chocolate and cheese—to find your bliss.
Brunch
Wine with waffles? Absolutely!
Knope’s number one menu item for Galentine’s Day was waffles. Alex Reble says, “Waffles can be dressed up in a number of ways with different types of toppings, syrups and sauces. They’re a dish that is usually going to be high on the sweet scale, demanding a wine that is sweet enough to complement, like the Ceres Goddess (fit for every goddess) or Cookie Cellars Snickerdoodle.”
Egg items also often make a showing at brunch, says Reble. From frittatas to quiches to deviled eggs and more, pairing wine with an egg dish will require some consideration of the key ingredients and foremost flavors. “Frittatas, which can be on the spicy side, pair well with a brunch must-have, the le Cadeau Semi-Seco Sparkling,” Reble says. “Deviled eggs demand a wine to awaken the palate, like the aromatic, flavor-packed Adagio 2016 Minuet. In general, though, you can’t go wrong with an off-dry white wine.”
Finally, if fruit parfaits are more your style, Reble recommends an off-dry white blend like the Joy Cellars 2017 Merriment, a blend of Muscat, Thompson, French Colombard and Chardonnay.
A Little Wine with Your Candy
Reble notes that wine and chocolate pairings are common, “but have you ever thought about what kind of wine might pair perfectly with those Valentine conversation hearts?” Reble recommends le Cadeau Rosé Sparkling. Pink and bubbly, what’s not to love?
Of course, if you lean more toward chocolates, which pair wonderfully with wine, your optimum choice might depend on what’s inside those chocolates. “Creamy fillings go well with a smooth, balanced Syrah like the Monarch 2017 Syrah. Caramel and a classic Muscat like the Ceres 2017 Muscat pair well. Fruity fillings are complemented by a fruit smoothie-like wine like the Revel Vin Rouge.” And, if you’re a chocolate-chocolate fan, Reble recommends a sweet red blend like the Gemme Cellars 2016 Ruby, a “dark, luscious blend of 65% Ruby Cabernet, 25% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.”
Popcorn and a Movie
If your Galentine celebration leans more toward popcorn and a movie, you might be wondering what kind of wine works best with buttery popcorn. Reble recommends an easygoing white like the Table White. And, if you like to jazz up your popcorn with various flavorings, you’ll want to keep these flavors in mind as well. With white Cheddar, consider a crisp, medium-bodied wine like the Mariana Vineyard 2016 Verdelho from South Eastern Australia. If you lean more toward a nacho or jalapeno-flavored topping, Reble recommends a sweeter white blend like the Panache Lane Flamboyant.
Of course, these days, the perfect wine to go with any food should be driven more by your personal preferences. Whatever you like to pair your favorite foods with is the perfect pairing.
Whichever way you choose to celebrate—Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or both—remember, a little gifting can go a long way. Take a look at some WineShop At Home suggestions for some gift-giving ideas to fit every budget.
Featured photos provided by: @kelciwineshop, @artisantastings and @wineshopwithkat.
