Tis’ the season for cookies, cookies, and more cookies! With all of those crispy, chewy, gooey options on the menu, you’re also going to need a beverage with which to wash them down. Say goodbye to milk and hello to wine with these festive cookies and wine pairing tips, brought to you by the wine experts at Tussock Jumper.
Cookies and Wine Pairing Tips
In order to achieve the perfect pairing, you’ll want your wine to have enough body and structure to match your cookie. If it’s a simple cookie, go for an equally uncomplicated wine with enough acidity to balance the sugar in the cookie.
Another rule of thumb is to pair sweeter wines with sweeter cookies. Typically, a wine that is as sweet-or slightly sweeter-than its food counterpart, with complementary flavors (citrus, spice, chocolate, berries, etc) will create a great pairing.
Almond Crescent Cookies
Almonds have been used by many cultures in cookie making. Because there are tannins in the skins of the nut, it’s best to pair it with something soft and fruit-forward to balance the flavors. An Italian Pinot Grigio has notes of stone fruits and many times almond flower, with softer citrus than a Sauvignon Blanc, makes for a great pairing for almond cookies.
Butter Cookies
Italian butter cookies pair brilliantly with their Italian counterpart, Prosecco. The crisp flavors in the wine cuts through the richness of the cookie, while creamy flavors of citrus and apple complement
Chocolate Chip Cookies
The trick to pairing chocolate with wine is to keep it simple. Chocolate chip cookies tend to be made with semi-sweet chocolate, so try a less intense red, like a Pinot Noir. The complementary flavors of dark berries and spice already present in the wine will pair well with chocolate desserts.
Chocolate Crinkles
Pair this sweet, rich chocolate cookies with wine that is equally sweet, but not overpoweringly complex. A red blend like Tussock Jumper’s Sweet Cat made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Corvina grapes is an excellent choice for pairing with chocolate desserts, and can be enjoyed at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Gingerbread Cookies
A semi-dry Riesling makes for a great pairing with spicy, sweet cookies like gingerbread. Ginger and molasses flavors tend to taste the best when paired with a higher acid wine with some residual sugar, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in Riesling wines.
Jam Thumbprints
One of our favorites, Jam thumbprints or Linzer cookies get most of their flavor from the fruity jam center. For an ideal pairing, a dessert wine with some bubbles will pair best, especially if the flavors mimic what’s found in the jam. A Moscato Rosé from Spain will showcase flavors of strawberries, orange blossoms, along with a bit of creaminess, all of which will complement the cookie.
Snickerdoodles
We can’t possibly talk about cookies without mentioning everyone’s favorite, the Snickerdoodle! Pair this cinnamon spiced cookie with a complementary flavor like orange and lemon cream, found in a Spanish Moscato. The bubbles will make the cookie seem less sweet, and also fill your palate with joy!
If you would like to check out some additional cookie recipes or ideas for your guests, here are some great cookie recipes to try.
