What Are the Best Snacks to Go with Red Wine?

Red wine is known for its rich, bold flavours, making it a perfect companion for a wide variety of snacks. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or enjoying a quiet evening at home, pairing the right snacks with your favourite red wine can elevate your experience and enhance the flavours of both the wine and the food. But with so many snack options available, it can be tricky to know which ones work best with different types of red wine. See our range of wine inclusive gourmet hampers which have been perfectly packaged with a range of cheeses and artisanal treats.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best snacks to pair with red wine, from classic cheese boards to unique gourmet treats. We’ll also break down which types of snacks complement specific varieties of red wine, ensuring you’ll have the perfect match for every occasion.

Why Pairing Snacks with Red Wine Matters

Pairing snacks with red wine is not just about filling the table with tasty treats – it’s about creating a balance between the flavours of the wine and the food. The right pairing can enhance the wine’s natural aromas and flavours while also making the food more enjoyable. Red wines, in particular, tend to have bold, complex profiles with notes of fruit, spice, and sometimes earthiness, so choosing snacks that complement or contrast these flavours can make for a delightful tasting experience.

When selecting snacks for red wine, it’s important to consider the weight, acidity, tannins, and sweetness of the wine. For example, a full-bodied Shiraz pairs well with bold, hearty snacks, while a lighter Pinot Noir may be better suited to milder, more delicate foods.

Cheese: A Classic Pairing

It’s hard to think of a better pairing than red wine and cheese. The creamy, rich texture of cheese balances the acidity and tannins in red wine, creating a harmonious combination. However, not all cheeses pair well with every type of red wine, so it’s important to consider the characteristics of both the wine and the cheese.

Soft Cheeses: Soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and goat cheese work beautifully with light to medium-bodied red wines, such as Pinot Noir or Merlot. The smooth, creamy texture of these cheeses provides a nice contrast to the light tannins and fruity notes of the wine. Goat cheese, in particular, has a tangy, earthy flavour that can complement the subtle fruitiness of a Pinot Noir.
Hard Cheeses: Hard cheeses, such as aged Cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan, are more robust and pair well with full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Malbec. The intense flavours and firmer texture of these cheeses can stand up to the bold tannins and strong flavours of these wines. Aged Cheddar’s sharpness complements the rich, dark fruit notes in wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, while Gouda’s nutty undertones balance the peppery finish of a Shiraz.
Blue Cheese: For those who love a bit of funk in their cheese, blue cheeses like Roquefort and Stilton are excellent choices. Their pungent, salty flavour can handle the full-bodied intensity of wines such as Port or Shiraz. The sweetness of a Port can counterbalance the sharpness of the blue cheese, creating a complex yet satisfying flavour combination.

Charcuterie: Meat and Red Wine

Charcuterie boards are another excellent choice for pairing with red wine. The variety of cured meats, such as salami, prosciutto, and chorizo, offer a range of flavours that can enhance the richness of red wine.

Salami: Salami’s spiced and savoury profile pairs well with medium to full-bodied red wines like Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon. The fat content in the salami helps soften the tannins in these wines, allowing the fruit and spice notes to shine through. A peppery salami works particularly well with the bold spiciness of a Shiraz.
Prosciutto: Prosciutto, with its delicate, salty flavour and silky texture, is a great match for lighter red wines like Pinot Noir or Chianti. The saltiness of the prosciutto brings out the fruitiness and acidity in these wines, while the wine’s soft tannins complement the prosciutto’s richness.
Chorizo: Chorizo’s smoky and spicy flavours are a fantastic match for robust red wines like Syrah or Tempranillo. The spiciness of the chorizo enhances the peppery, earthy notes in these wines, while the wine’s acidity cuts through the fat, creating a balanced, flavourful pairing.

Nuts: A Crunchy Contrast

Nuts are a simple yet effective snack to pair with red wine, offering a crunchy contrast to the smooth texture of the wine. Certain nuts work better with specific types of red wine due to their varying levels of richness, sweetness, and earthiness.

Almonds: Roasted almonds are a great match for a wide range of red wines. Their slightly sweet, nutty flavour complements both light and full-bodied wines, making them a versatile option. Pair roasted almonds with a glass of Pinot Noir or Zinfandel for a balanced and satisfying snack.
Walnuts: Walnuts, with their earthy, slightly bitter flavour, pair well with rich, tannic wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The bitterness of the walnuts complements the bold, tannic structure of the wine, while the wine’s fruitiness offsets the nut’s earthy flavour.
Pecans: Pecans, with their natural sweetness and buttery texture, are an excellent pairing for sweeter red wines like Port or Zinfandel. The sweetness of the wine enhances the rich flavour of the pecans, while the nutty, caramel notes of the pecans complement the wine’s fruitiness.

Dark Chocolate: A Decadent Pairing

For those with a sweet tooth, dark chocolate is an indulgent snack that pairs exceptionally well with red wine. The bitterness and richness of dark chocolate complement the complex flavours of red wine, especially wines with high tannin content.

Dark Chocolate with Cabernet Sauvignon: The intense, dark fruit flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon are a natural match for the bitterness of dark chocolate. The wine’s tannins are softened by the richness of the chocolate, while the chocolate’s sweetness enhances the fruitiness of the wine.
Dark Chocolate with Shiraz: Shiraz, with its bold, spicy profile, pairs beautifully with dark chocolate that has hints of chilli or spice. The spicy notes in both the wine and the chocolate complement each other, creating a complex, layered flavour experience.
Dark Chocolate with Port: For a truly indulgent pairing, try dark chocolate with a glass of Port. The sweetness of the Port balances the bitterness of the chocolate, while the wine’s rich, fruity flavours complement the chocolate’s depth. This is a perfect pairing for dessert or a late-night treat.

Olives: Savoury and Salty

Olives are another savoury snack that pairs well with red wine. Their briny, salty flavour can enhance the fruitiness of certain wines, while their firm texture provides a nice contrast to the wine’s smoothness.

Green Olives: Green olives, with their briny, slightly tangy flavour, are a good match for lighter red wines like Pinot Noir or Sangiovese. The acidity in these wines complements the tanginess of the olives, while the olives’ saltiness enhances the wine’s fruit notes.
Kalamata Olives: Kalamata olives, with their rich, meaty flavour, pair well with full-bodied red wines like Merlot or Syrah. The bold flavours of the olives stand up to the intensity of the wine, while the wine’s tannins are softened by the olives’ brininess.

Crackers and Bread: A Perfect Base

No wine pairing is complete without some form of bread or crackers to cleanse the palate and provide a neutral base for the other snacks. The crunchiness of crackers or the soft, chewy texture of bread can enhance the overall tasting experience.

Plain Crackers: Plain, unsalted crackers are a versatile option that pairs well with almost any red wine. They act as a neutral base, allowing the flavours of the wine and other snacks to shine. Crackers are particularly useful for cleansing the palate between bites of cheese or charcuterie.
Artisan Bread: A fresh loaf of crusty artisan bread, such as a baguette or sourdough, pairs beautifully with a variety of red wines. The slight tanginess of sourdough, in particular, complements the acidity in wines like Chianti or Barbera, while the bread’s hearty texture contrasts with the wine’s smoothness.

Dried Fruits: A Sweet Contrast

Dried fruits, such as figs, apricots, and raisins, provide a sweet contrast to the bold flavours of red wine. Their chewy texture and concentrated sweetness make them a perfect companion for a variety of red wines.

Figs: Dried figs, with their rich, jammy flavour, pair well with earthy red wines like Grenache or Tempranillo. The sweetness of the figs complements the wine’s fruitiness, while the fig’s natural earthiness matches the wine’s more rustic notes.
Apricots: Dried apricots, with their bright, tangy sweetness, are a great match for light to medium-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir or Merlot. The apricot’s acidity balances the fruitiness of the wine, creating a harmonious pairing.

Final Thoughts

Pairing red wine with the right snacks can enhance the flavours of both the wine and the food, creating a memorable tasting experience. Whether you’re enjoying a bold Shiraz with some aged Cheddar, or sipping on a glass of Pinot Noir alongside a plate of prosciutto and olives, there’s a perfect snack for every variety of red wine. The key is to experiment and find combinations that suit your personal palate. With these snack ideas in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to create the perfect wine and snack pairing for your next gathering or quiet night in. See our range of gourmet hampers which have a selection of nuts, cheeses and other scrumptious artisanal snacks to pair perfectly with the included bottle of red.

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