California Wines Offer Easy Pairing Tips and Recipes for Soul-Warming Dishes
February 25, 2025 (SACRAMENTO, CA) — Anyone who says California has no seasons has probably never spent time in wine country during the winter. You won’t find snow on the ground in most regions, but there is a definite chill in the air. The pace slows, sweaters come out of storage and cozy comfort food takes top billing on restaurant menus and family dinner tables across the Golden State. That’s when California wines really shine. From bright and bubbly to deep and luscious, there’s a wine to match all the soul-warming dishes winter has to offer. Courtesy of California Wines, here are some easy pairing tips and comfort food recipes to keep you warm all season.
Match Styles or Go for Contrast
Matching wine with comfort food isn’t complicated. There are two basic approaches: Pair “like with like” or go for contrasting styles. With a creamy, buttery dish, for example, you might choose an equally rich wine. Or, instead, opt for a wine with vibrant acidity to balance the meal’s richness and prepare your palate for the next bite. Following are some delicious examples, complete with recipes — ideal for sharing with friends, family or “chosen family.”
Roasted Butternut Squash and Fennel Soup with California Chardonnay
Butternut squash and fennel make a compelling duo in this velvety soup. The licorice hints of fennel add an herbal dimension and keeps the squash from tasting overly sweet. Serve the soup in large ramekins as a next-level complement to grilled cheese sandwiches or fill full-size bowls to make it a meal. A rich California Chardonnay makes a delicious match for the dish’s subtle sweetness and creamy texture.
Hearty Beef Ramen with California Rosé
This robust ramen rendition features top sirloin steak and shiitake mushrooms atop a gingery miso broth. California rosé offers a refreshing contrast to the rich and hearty flavors of this dish. While not a traditional pairing, the acidity in the rosé can help cut through the richness of the beef and broth, while the red-fruit flavors add a touch of brightness to each bite.
Mac and Cheese with Peas and Cauliflower with California Riesling or Grenache
This is creamy comfort food with a few surprising additions, including cauliflower and garlicky panko breadcrumbs. The complex flavors in this crowd-pleasing casserole make it an easy companion for a variety of wines. An off-dry California Riesling plays off the saltiness of the cheese, while the brightness of a juicy California Grenache acts as a fruity foil for the dish’s cheesy richness.
Rigatoni with Pork Rib Sugo with California Zinfandel
Baby back ribs aren’t just for summer barbecues; they’re also great for making this succulent and rustic pasta dish. The sauce tastes even better the day after it’s cooked, so this is an excellent make-ahead option when you’re hosting friends. The slow-cooked tomato sugo and tender pork ribs play especially well with the fuller body and natural acidity of a California Zinfandel.
Soft-Centered Chocolate Babycakes with California Port-Style Wine
While Valentine’s Day may have passed, these molten mini-cakes are wonderful all winter long. Served warm with a silky red wine and raspberry sauce, the individual bittersweet treats taste even better with a glass of California port-style dessert wine. If you’re a fan of bubbles, opt for the balancing effect of a lightly sweet California sparkling wine.
For more seasonal recipes and wine-pairing recommendations, visit DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com.
About Wine Institute
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The organization works to protect the economic and environmental health of the state through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing and a partnership with Visit California to showcase California’s wine and food offerings and the state as a top travel destination. To learn more about California wines, visit Discover California Wines.
Funding for the project was made possible by a grant/cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.
