master-cooks | Why Sparkling Wine Goes So Well With Fried Food

Sparkling wine and fried food make an unexpectedly delightful pairing, primarily due to the contrasting yet complementary qualities they bring to the table. The high acidity in sparkling wine acts as a palate cleanser, cutting through the richness and greasiness of fried foods. This acidity refreshes the mouth, providing a crisp balance to the often heavy and oily texture of fried dishes. Additionally, the effervescence in sparkling wine contributes to this harmonious pairing. The bubbles provide a textural contrast, enhancing the sensory experience by adding a lively element that lifts the flavors of the dish. The carbonation also helps in breaking down fats, making each bite feel lighter and more refreshing. Another factor is the subtle sweetness often found in sparkling wines. Whether it's a brut or a slightly sweeter variety, this hint of sweetness can complement the savory and sometimes salty nature of fried foods, creating a balanced interplay of flavors. Furthermore, sparkling wines tend to have a lower alcohol content compared to other wines, making them a versatile choice that can be enjoyed throughout a meal without overwhelming the palate. Together, these characteristics make sparkling wine an ideal partner for fried food, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Pairing sparkling wine and fried food

Bubbles and fried foods make for a delightful combination. The beauty of this pairing is that it’s casual, budget-friendly, and suitable for any meal or snack. Plus, it’s quite trendy! During New York Champagne Week (NYCW), held in November in the city, a variety of creative tasting events feature the pairing of fried treats with Champagne. At the 2024 closing party, attendees savored fried chicken nuggets alongside Pol Roger white champagne. During the pandemic, NYCW collaborated with Goldbelly to host a virtual Fried Chicken and Bubble Bash, delivering the ingredients for crispy fried chicken and waffles from chef Marcus Samuelsson's Red Rooster Harlem to food lovers nationwide.

For Camille Parson Goldstein, the appeal of this pairing goes beyond the acidity of sparkling wine; it’s also about the refreshing crispness. "Sparkling wine is typically dry and vibrant!" she notes. In this way, sparkling wines serve as a palate cleanser, with their bright citrus and fruity flavors acting like sherbet or fresh fruit between bites of fried food.

To experiment with this pairing, look for a dry sparkling wine (don’t hesitate to ask for suggestions at the store). For instance, Moscato is usually sweet, soft, and low in acidity, unlike a dry spumante or Champagne, which have distinct characteristics that are important to recognize. A dry sparkling wine will provide the crispness and clarity you want to complement that perfectly crispy homemade tempura. Remember to enjoy the process of discovering new flavor combinations: consider pairing Prosecco with French fries or a rosé brut Champagne with Doritos.

Why Sparkling Wine Goes So Well With Fried Food

Pairing sparkling wine and fried food

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