Game Day: Wine & Food Pairings for Your Starting Lineup

Game Day: Wine & Food Pairings for your Starting Lineup

Your next game-day dishes deserve winning pairings; the right wine can turn familiar football favorites into a spread worth cheering for.

Instead of pairing by varietal alone, we're pouring by the way you watch the game. Kicking things off with a crisp pre-game sample, moving into crowd-pleasing favorites, then bringing out the bigger reds at halftime, and keeping something special in reserve in case the game goes into overtime.

Since sometimes an alternate is needed, Castello grape juices become the base for sophisticated zero-proof spritzes and game-day cocktails, giving rivalries and fellow fans alike something interesting to drink.

PRE-GAME POUR:
Whipped Ricotta Crostini + Vermentino

Before the game gets serious, keep the food and wine light.

Whipped ricotta crostini topped with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh herbs and a touch of sea salt is simple enough to prepare before guests arrive but feels considerably more special than chips and dip. Pair it with a well-chilled Vermentino. Its bright acidity and fresh fruit character work especially well alongside creamy cheese, olive oil and herbs without overwhelming the appetizer.

THE PLAY CALL: Make the whipped ricotta ahead of time and assemble the crostini just before guests arrive.

KICKOFF:
Calabrian Chile & Honey Wings + Dolcino

Now it’s time for something with a little heat!

This pairing hits all the right notes: spicy, tangy, savory and just a little sweet. A chilled glass of Dolcino Gewürztraminer has a touch of sweetness and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the Calabrian chile, while the wine’s acidity helps cut through the richness of the wings.

THE PLAY CALL: Keep the wings spicy. Let the Dolcino cool things down.

FIRST HALF:
Sausage, Mushroom & Hot Honey Pizza + Sangiovese

There may be no food better suited to both Italy and football than pizza.

For game day, make one large pizza for the table. Italian sausage, mushrooms, mozzarella and a drizzle of hot honey deliver savory, earthy, spicy and slightly sweet flavors in every slice.

Pour Sangiovese alongside it. Sangiovese's acidity makes it a natural companion to tomato-based dishes, while its red-fruit and savory characteristics complement sausage, mushrooms and herbs.

THE PLAY CALL: Slice the pizza into smaller squares rather than traditional wedges. Guests can grab a piece without committing to an entire slice.

ZERO-PROOF TIMEOUT:
The Italian Grape Spritz

Some of the most interesting drinks at your game-day table don't need alcohol at all. Take a timeout and turn Castello di Amorosa grape juice into a proper game-day spritz.

Muscat Canelli Grape Juice + White Balsamic + Lemon + Sparkling Water

The trick is restraint. Grape juice already provides plenty of fruit and natural sweetness, so use white balsamic and fresh lemon to bring acidity and complexity rather than adding additional syrup.

Pour over plenty of ice and finish with sparkling water.

For something with more bite, experiment with Gewürztraminer Grape Juice, fresh lime, ginger and sparkling water.

How do you make grape juice less sweet in a mocktail?
Balance it with acidity, bitterness, spice or dilution rather than adding more sweet ingredients. Citrus, white balsamic vinegar, ginger, herbs and sparkling water can all help turn grape juice into a more sophisticated zero-proof drink.

THE PLAY CALL: Make a pitcher before kickoff, but add the sparkling water immediately before serving.

HALFTIME HEAVY HITTER:
Italian Beef Sliders + Cabernet Sauvignon

Halftime calls for something substantial. Pile thinly sliced roast beef onto small rolls with melted provolone and giardiniera on the side, the Italian combination of pickled vegetables that brings acidity, crunch and heat to an otherwise rich sandwich. This is when we'd reach for Cabernet Sauvignon. Beef and Cabernet are a classic pairing for good reason. The richness and protein of the meat stand up to a structured red wine, while the giardiniera keeps the whole combination lively.

THE PLAY CALL: Build sliders rather than full sandwiches. Game-day food should be easy to eat with one hand.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Grazing Through the Final Quarter + La Fantasia

By the fourth quarter, no one needs another heavy plate. Bring the game-day lineup back to something fresh, and just sweet enough to keep everyone reaching for one more bite. For those who want to snack through the fourth quarter, break out the cheese and charcuterie with a heavy focus on fresh fruit rather than veg and salty olives. Serve alongside La Fantasia, well chilled. Its lively effervescence and bright fruit complement richness of soft cheeses and salty meats while satisfying those nail-biting last seconds of the game. At just 7.5% alcohol by volume, La Fantasia also makes a fitting late-game pour after an afternoon of sipping and snacking.

THE PLAY CALL: Fourth quarter strategy: lighter bites, chilled La Fantasia, and a grazing board within arm’s reach until the final whistle.

Cheers! And happy game day from the Castello di Amorosa team!

Frequently Asked Questions About Game-Day Wine Pairings

What is the best wine to serve at a football party?

There's no single best wine for game day because the food varies considerably. Crisp white wines work well with lighter appetizers, fruity and refreshing wines can complement spicy foods, Sangiovese is particularly versatile with pizza and tomato-based dishes, and structured red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon pair naturally with beef and other hearty foods.

What wine pairs with pizza?

Sangiovese is an excellent place to start, particularly with tomato-based pizza. Its acidity complements tomato sauce, while its fruit and savory characteristics work with toppings including sausage, mushrooms, herbs and cheese.

What wine goes with buffalo or spicy wings?

Look for refreshing wines with fruit, acidity and relatively restrained alcohol. Chilled sparkling or lightly sparkling wines can be especially refreshing with spicy wings. Avoid assuming that the biggest red wine is automatically the best pairing; alcohol and tannin can accentuate the perception of chile heat.

What wine pairs best with sliders?

It depends on the filling. Beef sliders can pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon or other structured red wines. Italian-style beef sliders with provolone and giardiniera are particularly suited to red wine because the beef provides richness while the pickled vegetables add acidity.

What non-alcoholic drinks can you serve for game day besides soda?

Grape juice can be used as the base of a more sophisticated zero-proof spritz. Balance its natural sweetness with ingredients such as fresh citrus, ginger, white balsamic vinegar, sparkling water or herbs. Serve it over ice just as you would a cocktail.

Should red wine be served at room temperature for game day?

Not necessarily. "Room temperature" historically referred to a considerably cooler room than many modern homes. Lighter reds can often benefit from a slight chill, while fuller-bodied reds should generally be served cool rather than warm. And wines such as Castello di Amorosa's La Fantasia are specifically enjoyable chilled.