St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on the 17th of March, and was originally commemorated as a religious holiday centered around the patron Saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. In modern times, the holiday has developed into a seasonal celebration of Irish colors, savory foods and green beer. While wine may not traditionally be the drink of choice for your St. Patty’s day celebrations, we’ve compiled the perfect wines for all the beer lover’s out there, for your yearly celebration and beyond. Let’s get into it!
Love IPA? Try Zinfandel
For all the bold, complex IPA beer lovers out there, look no further than the bold, fruity Zinfandel. This bold red wine will surprise you with its complex profile. You can expect every glass of Zinfandel to have flavors of cherry, black fruit, black pepper, tobacco, and even licorice. The origins of Zinfandel hail all the way from Croatia. In current times, this grape is best known for its wines grown in the hills of California. Try pairing your next glass with your next hearty meal.
Alternative selections: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese
Lager Fan? Try Pinot Grigio
When you think of beer, the first thing that may come to mind is a Lager. In the United States, Lager is the largest variety of beer to be mass distributed year after year. Remember those Budweiser Clydesdale commercials? Yup, that’s lager! Lagers tend to be lighter and less bitter than most beers, and the same can be said for Pinot Grigio. White wine lovers everywhere know Pinot Grigio is the perfect light, fruity, and dry wine to sip on. Pinot Grigio origins stem from Europe, specifically in France where it is known as Pinot Gris, and most popularly in Italy where it is Pinot Grigio. Pairings for this light wine include seafood and anything lemon!
Alternative selections: Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño
Pleasin’ for a Porter? Try Syrah
Not to be confused with Stout, Porters are best known for their dark, smoky appearance, but a surprisingly light mouthfeel. The same can be said for the bold, often underrated, Syrah. Known as Shiraz in Australia vineyards, Syrah originally stems from France and is best known for its black pepper, fruit and violet flavor profile. Though it can may seem an intimidatingly bold wine, Syrah is actually a highly popular wine that both advanced and beginner wine connoisseurs can enjoy. Be sure to try it with dark chocolate for a ‘Wow!’ pairing!
Alternative selections: Malbec, Merlot
Fancy Wheat? Try Chardonnay
For the adventurous beer drinkers that enjoy a pint of Wheat beer, swap out your cold glass for a stem of Chardonnay. Wheat beer is known for having a hazy, citrusy, and full mouthfeel. A wheat beer you may recognize is the very popular, Blue Moon. Discover similarly bright depths of flavors with a glass of Chardonnay. Similar to most popular grapes, Chardonnay hails from the hills France. Today, it is best known for its popularity in California, specifically the oaked processed Chardonnays. Whether you’re having an oaked or un-oaked variety of Chardonnay, you’ll notice a full and acidic flavor profile, not unlike your favorite wheat beer. Snack on buttered popcorn with your next glass.
Alternative selections: Viognier, Chenin Blanc
Are you ready to discover your new favorite wine? Chat with your Wine Guide today to find the perfect match.