Pairing Nuts With Wine

Nuts and wine pair perfectly for parties, dinner events, and holiday gatherings. But when it comes to pairing nuts or peanuts with wine, figuring out the flavors that work best together can be tricky. This guide offers advice about how to create delicious pairings, and includes specific recommendations for hosting a memorable nut and wine tasting event.

4 General Tips for Pairing Nuts and Wine

Wine comes in a wide range of flavors, from light and fruity to bold and robust. Nuts offer their own spectrum of tastes, from sweet and buttery to earthy and toasty. Here are four general tips to help you bring them both together and to guide you on your nut and wine pairing journey.

1 | Light, crisp white wines pair well with pistachios and cashews. The bright tone of the wine brings out the earthy undertones in the nuts.

2 | Rich, aromatic red wine is the perfect match for just about any type of nut—as long as the nut is toasted or roasted. The depth of a roasted nut or peanut complements the boldness of heady red wine.

3 | Rosé strikes a balance between red and white wine, with fruity flavor and a crisp finish. Try salted almonds or peanuts with dry rosé and pistachios with a sweet version.

4 | The little bubbles in sparkling wines accentuate nutty flavors; whether you choose a dry or sweet sparkling wine, almonds and cashews are clear winners for pairing.

Hosting a Wine Tasting

Hosting a wine tasting is a wonderful way to celebrate any season or special event. Whatever the occasion, a well-curated nut and wine pairing can elevate your next gathering. Some of the most popular occasions for a wine tasting include:

• Engagement party
• Bridal shower
• College graduation
• Bachelorette weekend
• Milestone birthday celebration
• Girls night in

For casual affairs, present a delightful spread of nuts, peanuts, and various wines based on general pairing principles. Encourage your guests to explore and discover their own flavor favorites. For a more formal event, take the experience to the next level by selecting specific complementary pairings and presenting them in individual portions. This personalized approach allows guests to fully appreciate the flavor combinations in each nut and wine pairing.

Top 10 Nut and Wine Pairings for a Tasting

Enhance your next wine tasting with complementary nut and wine pairings. Our list of top 10 pairings offers helpful tips for exploring different flavor combinations. This list provides a variety of options, from classic pairings to unexpected delights.

1 | Cabernet Sauvignon is a robust and bold red wine, making it the perfect pairing partner for earthy, unsalted peanuts.

2 | Merlot features a sweet flavor, reminiscent of ripe berries, that comes from steeping in oak barrels. The best nut pairing for merlot is candied pecans, resulting in an indulgent combination that’s rich and toasty.

3 | Pinot Noir, a beloved rich, red wine, is fruity and earthy, ideal for crunchy roasted almonds. But if you’re looking for a bit of a kick, try pairing it with chipotle honey peanuts, which can amplify this bold wine’s flavor.

4 | Zinfandel can be fruity, spicy, and occasionally smoky. Pair this wine with spicy Cajun peanuts to enhance the peppery notes and create a bold flavor sensation.

5 | Chardonnay is made for sweet or spicy peanuts. A sweeter chardonnay wine pairs well with a salty-sweet peanut; a crisp chardonnay works better with a salty, spicy black pepper peanut.

6 | Sauvignon Blanc is zesty, herby, and acidic, with flavors ranging from lime to tart green apple. Opt for pistachios when creating a spread of nuts and wine for an event.

7 | Riesling, whether dry or sweet, is vibrant and acidic, which balances sweetness beautifully. Pair this wine with sugared nuts or honey roasted peanuts.

Note: If you opt for a very sweet Riesling wine, choose buttery, sweet cashews for an elegant treat.

8 | Sparkling wines and champagne are crisp and bubbly, ranging from dry to sweet in profile. Any sparkling wine from Asti to prosecco works well with cashew nuts, whether salted or sugared.

9 | Dry rosé pairs well with subtly sweet roasted almonds that accentuate its crisp, acidic finish. Note: For sweet rosé, choose roasted, salted pistachio nuts to match the fruitiness of the wine.

10 | Pinot Grigio is crisp and acidic, making it the ideal wine for pairing with salted Virginia peanuts.

We hope this guide inspires you to explore the delightful world of nut and wine pairings. Browse our blog for additional tips and inspiration, including peanut news and recipes.