Pairing Wine With Hot Dogs

The phrase “hot dogs and wine” may seem slightly absurd at first. On one hand, an enduring image of fast-food, competitive eating, and baseball stadiums. On the other, an image of fancy restaurants and savoring each mouthful. There is no need to treat wine as something precious though, and pairing wine with hot dogs can be a delicious culinary experience. Hot dogs are rich and smoky, usually served with sharp vinegary condiments, such as mustard and ketchup, and the earthy tang of fried onions. There is a wealth of wines that you can pair with this flavor profile.

Wine Characteristics To Pair With Hot Dogs

Characteristic	Detail
Sweetness	Dry to Off-dry
Acidity	High
Tannins	Smooth to Medium
Body	Light, Medium or Bold
Tasting Notes	Rich, tangy fruits, red berries, citrus, smoke and sweet spice.

In addition to the flavors of smoke, meat and vinegar, hot dogs can be quite salty and fatty. Ideally, you want a wine with high acidity to cut through these qualities and cleanse the palate. It’s also best to avoid wines that are overly tannic, and focus on refreshing options, with hints of sweetness to their fruit profile. Citrus notes will match with hot dog condiments, while wines with elements of smoke and sweet spice will match the flavor of the meat beautifully.

Best Red Wine To Drink With Hot Dogs

Since hot dogs are essentially a sausage sandwich, red wine makes a lot of sense. The bolder flavors will match the grilled meat, and there are a lot of red wines with enough depth to match any number of hot dog toppings.

Zinfandel

A long-time favorite for pairing with grilled meats and smoky cheese, Zinfandel’s bold fruit-forward character is a perfect match for hot dogs. It is relatively low in tannins, and often shows some underlying flavors of tobacco smoke and comforting, sweet spices. All of these qualities will round out the flavors of your hot dog dish, and it is versatile enough to pair with more adventurous hot dogs, like those with chili and cheese.

GSM Blend

GSM is a complex blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, made in the Rhone Valley, and often labeled under Côtes du Rhône. You could pair hot dogs with any single-varietal versions of those wines, but a quality GSM blend brings the best characteristics of each. The meatiness of Syrah, bold fruits of Grenache, and leathery, smoky Mourvèdre are all present. GSM’s are full of warm spices and strong, vibrant fruits, perfect for matching with any twist on the classic hot dog recipe.

Barbera

Barbera is one of Italy’s most fun, food-friendly wines. It’s low in tannins and high in acidity, so it’s ideal for cutting through hot dogs’ salt and fat. It is bright and juicy, so it will match the tanginess of mustard and ketchup, but also contrast wonderfully with the inherent earthiness of fried onions. On top of all this, Barbera is usually pretty cheap. The most famous Barbera is the Italian made Barbera d’Asti, but you can also look for a Californian Barbera, if you want an extra fruity punch.

Rosé

For dishes like hot dogs that are easy to eat, easy drinking wine makes a lot of sense. Rosé’s are usually packed with refreshing citrus, vibrant red fruits, and hints of sweetness. They will go particularly well with hot dogs that have a bit of heat, like those topped with chili. You can even combine the ideal fruit profile of GSM blend with something more refreshing, and look for a Rosé made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Aside from that, pretty much any rosé is going to be a delightful pairing with hot dogs.

Best White Wine To Drink With Hot Dogs

The meat in a classic hot dog is usually on the lighter side, so there’s no reason not to enjoy it with a white wine. The more prominent citrus notes in white wine are also a fantastic match for the sharp, vinegary toppings that typically go on hot dogs.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is a prime example of a wine with refreshing, tart fruit flavors. It has more than enough acid to stand up to a hot dog, and if the hot dog is loaded with mustard and onions, Sauvignon Blanc is a match made in heaven. Its subtle vegetal and herbaceous notes will interplay wonderfully with fried onions, sauerkraut, or pickles. Any Sauvignon Blanc will be fine, but if you want an extra fruity profile, look for one from a region in New Zealand.

Riesling

Riesling is widely grown in Germany and Austria, so it’s common to find it paired with some kind of sausage. Part of the reason why the pairing works is the intensely acidic nature of Riesling, which contrasts the fattiness of the meat. Riesling is also very versatile, so you can pick and choose depending on your toppings. An off–dry version might be better for a chili dog, while a dry Riesling will be tart enough to match the salty, tangy taste of a classic hot dog. You can look for German and Austrian Rieslings to keep it traditional, or you can get a New World example from Washington or Australia.

Best Wine To Drink With Hot Dogs

Hot dogs and wine are an unusual pairing, but one that we absolutely recommend. Beer seems like the classic choice with hot dogs, but wine will leave room in your stomach for so much more. These are our top varietals for pairing with hot dogs: