Who doesn’t love Brunch? Whether you’re packing up the family for a relaxing mid-day treat, meeting with friends to catch up over Mimosas and coffee, or sitting down for a romantic meal for two, Brunch is the perfect weekend meal featuring the best dishes of breakfast and lunch. As an added bonus, it’s acceptable and encouraged to drink wine! If you’re looking to upgrade your brunch experience, be sure to check out these food and wine pairing ideas.
Belgian Waffles – Champagne, Cava, Prosecco
Sweet and buttery dishes like waffles covered with maple syrup are great with bubbly wines. You can’t go wrong with a glass of Champagne, but other sparklers like Cava and Prosecco are fine, too. Add some orange juice to make Mimosas – just remember there’s no need to use expensive Champagne if you do.
Spinach and Cheese Soufflé – Pouilly-Fuissé, Viré-Clessé
Baked until puffed and golden brown, this classic French dish calls for a bright, elegant wine. The buttery flavors of pastry, cheese, and spinach are wonderful with a Chardonnay from the southern Mâconnais district, like Pouilly-Fuissé or Viré-Clessé.
Omelets – Beaujolais
A fluffy omelet can be the highlight of any brunch. This dish often includes ingredients like ham, cheese, vegetables, and mushrooms, but feel free to customize yours any which way. A light-bodied, fruity red wine like Beaujolais will work well with a variety of omelets.
Breakfast Burger – Mendoza Malbec
If you’ve got a substantial hunger for beef at brunch, one of these burgers adorned with a fried egg and bacon will fix you right up. This dish is begging for a full-bodied red wine with plenty of fruit and a firm structure. Malbec from Argentina’s Mendoza region is an awesome match!
Caesar Salad – Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The salty, tangy crunch of romaine lettuce mixed with boiled egg, anchovies, croutons, and dressing begs for a crisp, refreshing white wine like Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand’s Marlborough region is the source for many excellent examples.
Crêpes and Fresh Fruit – Medium Sweet or Off-Dry Chenin Blanc
These thin, round sheets of pastry are especially delicious when filled with fruits like berries and bananas. Common toppings include preserves, powdered sugar, syrup, or whipped cream. Try them with a medium-sweet or off-dry Chenin Blanc to match the sweetness of the fruit.
Bagels and Cream Cheese with Smoked Salmon – Provence Rosé
A chewy bagel slathered with cream cheese is even better when topped off with smoked salmon (lox). Some people prefer to garnish with sliced tomato, cucumber, onion, and salty capers. A glass of dry rosé wine is a smart choice here – try one from France’s Provence region.
Hashbrowns – Dry Riesling
Potatoes fried to crispy perfection are one of the classic brunch side dishes. Dress them up with melted cheese and fried onions if you like. A dry Riesling is a marvelous choice to drink with hashbrowns.
Bacon – Australian Shiraz
A plate of salty, smoky bacon is truly one of life’s great indulgences. With dark fruit and meaty/spicy flavors, Australian Shiraz is just the ticket. The fat in the bacon will pair with the tannins in this red wine.