*This is a sponsored post Have you heard of the latest trend of wine and popcorn pairings? Yes, it exists, and it’s the most delectable way to watch your favorite movies. It also turns out that this fabulous food pairing isn’t as new as you may have thought! In fact, it’s several centuries old already, and we can learn a lot from what came before… Chocolate and red wine go together perfectly as they complement one another so well. You can drizzle chocolate over your popcorn, add chocolate buttons in to melt when you pop your kernels, or dip the popped corn in a tub of spreading chocolate. Buttered popcorn is like a warm embrace. It has a toasty, creamy flavor and a fluffy, yielding texture. If you’re going to eat buttered popcorn, you might as well pair it with a buttery Chardonnay for a match made in heaven. A little cinnamon sugar on your popcorn goes well with white sparkling wines like Asti Spumante or Prosecco. The cilantro’s freshness and the citrus’s refreshing flavor will pair perfectly with a crisp Pinot Grigio. Sip some Pinot with your cilantro-spiked popcorn and you’ll enjoy a fresh and zesty sensation with every bite. Zinfandel has a lighter color than popular red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and it boasts hints of black pepper, jam, and liquorice. The Zinfandel’s spiciness pairs well with a fragrant, woody herb like rosemary, so give your popcorn a sprinkle before you settle down in front of the TV. Cabernet grapes are complex, imparting rich, bold, and earthy flavors of black cherry, oak, currant, and plum to the wine. They’re complemented by paprika which has a pungent and peppery flavor as it’s made from ground bonnet pepper. You can top your popcorn with sweet Hungarian paprika or smoked paprika, and pair it with a rich Cabernet. Another great pairing is a dry, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and extra sharp cheddar. The red wine brings out the saltiness and strong cheddar flavors and the crunch of the popcorn adds a great texture. If you season your popcorn with truffle oil or truffle salt, an earthy Pinot Noir will complement the umami earthiness of the truffles. Dip your kernels in duck fat, season with salt, and top with porcini mushroom powder to be transported to a log-cabin adventure. Red Bordeaux wines are medium to full-bodied, with black currant and plum aromas. A red Bordeaux has an earthiness to it that pairs well with an earthy, nutty spice like cumin and the popcorn ties it all together. A dry, red Zinfandel usually has dark jam and black pepper notes. The fruitiness and spiciness tend to complement the jalapeno and cheddar’s saltiness, turning your popcorn into a spicy treat. As a general rule, wine should be sweeter than food to avoid the perception of bitterness and overt acidity. A more sultry, chocolate-flavored popcorn will require a similarly smooth operator. I recommend a Rioja wine for its brambly forest fruits and silky vanilla flavors, or a Malbec wine for darker chocolate flavors to really enhance the taste. Whoever it was that invented the wine and popcorn craze, thank you for elevating the foods we eat when lost in cinematic genius!
The Aztec “popcorn dance” was supposedly taking place when Hernan Cortes arrived in Mexico in 1519, making it some of the oldest evidence of corn being popped. Cortes later ordered the large-scale planting of vineyards to replenish his depleted wine stocks from Europe, implying that popcorn and wine pairing have a long history dating back to the conquistadors!
It’s clear that wine and popcorn are a winning combination that’s stood the test of time. But if you’re going to stick with your favorite movie snack, you might as well do it right.
Choosing the right popcorn for your wine to ensure that your taste buds get the most action while you’re engrossed in a movie is a little bit of an art form, but it’s one that I can teach you quite easily. So, whether you buy your popcorn already flavored or make your own spice blend, here’s how to choose the best vino with your popcorn flavor of choice.Sea Salt And Chocolate Popcorn and Merlot
Add a sprinkle of natural sea salt that brings out the rich flavors of the Merlot and you’ll enjoy a rich yet slightly savory taste sensation as you snack and sip.Buttered Popcorn and Chardonnay
The popcorn brings out the nutty flavors in the Chardonnay, while the wine’s buttery flavors complement the rich-buttered popcorn flavor. Choose a Chardonnay with oaky vanilla and nut notes, as well as the buttery richness produced by malolactic fermentation. A cool sip after a warm mouthful will put you on cloud nine.Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn or Herb-rich Popcorn and Sparkling Wine
If cinnamon isn’t your style, try this herb-infused popcorn pairing. To add a fresh flavor and coating effect, replace cinnamon with herb-infused olive oil. Sparkling wine pairs well with olive oils infused with dill, mint, and thyme. The bubbles lift the grassy notes, and the crisp acidity cuts through the balm of the olive oil. Sprinkle it with parmesan for a salty touch that brings out the wine’s minerality. Choose a low-dosage brut-style bubbly to avoid overpowering the delicate green notes.Cilantro Lime Popcorn and Pinot Grigio
Rosemary Popcorn and Zinfandel
Paprika Popcorn and Cabernet Sauvignon
Sharp Cheddar Popcorn and Cabernet Sauvignon
Truffle Popcorn and Pinot Noir
Meaty and smoky flavors complement earthy Pinot Noir. These wines have a truffle-like decadence, as well as wild herbal notes that bring out the gamey flavor of duck fat, while the high acidity cuts through all the richness for a perfect balance.Cumin Popcorn and Red Bordeaux
Jalapeño Cheddar Popcorn and Zinfandel
Caramel-Coated Popcorn and Ice Wine
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can drizzle your popcorn with sugar melted in corn syrup and a pinch of salt. This warm caramel pairs well with ice wine, which is honeyed and toffee-rich and made from grapes frozen on the vine to extract maximum flavor. It’s the perfect complement to your chewy, sweet treat. The wine’s citrusy, zingy acidity also cleans the palate, tempting you to take another bite.Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn and Rioja or Malbec.
Make Every Movie Night Pop
These are just some of the most delicious popcorn and wine pairings, but the options really are unlimited. So, next time you plan a movie night, pick a few bottles of premium wine, grab your popcorn and spices, and give your taste buds a treat. Doing the popcorn dance is optional.
