Wine Pairings for Restaurant Takeouts

For a lot of people, deliveries and take outs are among the things that helped them keep their wits during the pandemic. They can’t compare to the experience of dining out but they made do when restaurants were forced to close their dining halls and people were discouraged from going out. The thought of professionally-made food can really be exciting and enjoyable for many even if they can’t be outside of their homes to feast on them.

However, there are tons of perks in enjoying takeouts. For one, you can take them to the next level by pairing your favorite drinks with them. Lots of eateries, especially the fast casual ones, may not necessarily have your favorite wines and liquors on their menu. At home, you can just pair them up whenever you feel like it.

If you want to give this concept a try, allow us to give you some of the perfect pairings for your favorite reds and whites with some of the most popular fast casual restaurants’ menu items.

Chicken Wings from Buffalo Wild Wings

Beers are the most popular drinks to pair with wings but certain wines can do a better job if you know which one to get. According to experts, you should choose according to the drink’s ability to quell the heat, complement the spice, and accentuate the acidity of the flavors available.

So how do you pair them with wines? Here are some suggestions:

• Zinfandels with bold, fruity, and slight sweetness and Rieslings, Gewürztraminer, and Vouvray work best with the classic spicy buffalo wings. The trick is, the hotter the wings, the sweeter the wine should be to balance things out.
• Pinot Gris, Chenin Blanc, and Zweigelt are great for sweet and spicy wings. Whether they’re of the Thai or Korean variety since they can cut through the spice and acidity.
• Chablis, dry Riesling, Californian Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc for lemon pepper wings. The citrusy flavor of the meat should be met with the same amount of flavor and acidity so these are great options. Steer clear of the bolder varieties, however, so as not to overwhelm the flavors of your chicken.

Various Items from Red Lobster

Seafood dishes tend to be special occasion meals for lots of households so it’s also a good excuse to pop a bottle of wine open. If you’re getting something from your local Red Lobster, here are some good pairings to try.

• Chardonnay, Riesling, Chianti, Rose, or Sauvignon Blanc for the Ultimate Feast. The selection is rather varied but their flavors are all guaranteed to suit the taste and texture of lobster and other seafood items.
• Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Moscato with the Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp. The mild and fruity flavors of the mentioned beverages will nicely complement the texture and unique taste of the dish.
• Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay for the Shrimp Linguini Alfredo. These crisp and versatile whites will nicely complement the mild flavor of the pasta.

Breakfast Items from Denny’s or Waffle House

Who said you can’t get breakfast food at any time of day or with wine? If you want to indulge a little, get a few items from Waffle House or Denny’s and enjoy a bottle with your order. Here are some fun pairings you can try.

• Sparkling Shiraz, Lambrusco, Prosecco, or Chardonnay with chicken and waffles. The grease and starch of the meal will nicely match with the sweetness and fizziness of the drinks.
• Prosecco, Vinho Verde, Rose, Champagne, and Torrontes with bacon and eggs. The touch of sweetness of these drinks will nicely complement the flavors of the eggs and bacon.

Cheesecakes from the Cheesecake Factory

A lot of people go out for desserts and snacks so why not get some slices of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory to enjoy on a cozy night in? They have lots of amazing options available and they’re nicely priced so they’re the perfect place to order from. Here are a few nice pairings that you can try:

• Sweet and dry reds like Ruby ports with any of their sweet chocolate-flavored cheesecakes. They have plenty of options available and chocolate lovers get to take a pick from their wide selection.
• Sweet Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc of the late harvest variety would work great with the classic Original Cheesecake.
• Late harvest Riesling, sweet Champagne, and Muscatels work great with their bestselling Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake. These are also great with other berry-topped cheesecakes.
• Moscato and extra dry Proseccos for lemony cheesecakes like the Key Lime Cheesecake and the many lemon-based cheesecakes on the menu.

Give these pairings a try and take your take out meals to the next level.