Potato Chips
light and crisp Pinot Gris (or the Italian Pinot Grigio) will balance the oil and salt of chips. Merlot is delicious with onion-flavored chips, or with chips and sour cream dip. Zinfandel stands up nicely to barbecue chips.
Popcorn
A light Chardonnay (or Macon blanc from France) has a nice fruit and tart acid balance which is great with popcorn-especially cheese-flavored or buttered popcorn.
Pretzels
A fruity wine with a little sweetness, like White Zinfandel, makes a nice counterpoint to the salty pretzel, and works even better as a complement to pretzels and a tangy mustard dip.
Nuts
Mixed nuts and nuts with dried fruit are especially good with a soft, fruity red wine like Beaujolais, Chianti, or a Sangiovese. They all work well whether the nuts are roasted, raw, or salted.
Vegtables & Dip
smooth and fruity Merlot balances the herbaceous veggies, but for those who want to accentuate the flavors, a crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc will fit right in with your snack and please your palate, too.
Pizza
The ultimate party food is also the most wine-friendly snack imaginable. You can't go wrong with Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, and red wines like Chianti, Syrah (or shiraz) and Zinfandel should be in every pizza-lover's pantry.
Tortilla Chips & Salsa
It's hard to beat a fresh glass of Chardonnay with its supple fruitiness as a complement to a lively salsa. If nachos are your variation on a theme, a spicy red wine like Zinfandel or Syrah will be a delicious match.
Chinese Take-Out
open those white boxes of intensely flavored delights (or just microwave the egg rolls) and pour a cool, white wine with lots of fruit to balance the spice. Riesling fills the bill very nicely, but White Zinfandel works well, too.
Courtesy of wine Market Council. For more information, visit www.wineanswers.com