Most people probably would not pay too much attention when it comes to pairing wine with nuts. After all, it is just a nut. How much impact could it have on your wine? Quite a bit, actually. There are over 50 different types of nuts and countless ways to prepare them; raw, smoked, roasted, candied, salty, sweet, spicy, you name it! Delicious as they may be on their own, pairing your nuts with the right wine can completely change your snack game.
Pairing Wine With Nuts For Beginners
Most food and wine pairings have definitive rules you should follow to make the most of your experience. With nuts, you can have a bit more fun and a lot of it comes down to personal preference. Roasted nuts tend to match well with rich, red wine, whereas raw nuts prefer something lighter, but you may find you enjoy a hearty Malbec with your raw almonds. One item to remember, red wine can bring out the bitter notes in nuts so go easy on the tannins.
If you are nervous about making a misstep, try to pair the wine from the same region the nuts were grown. If they come from the same earth, they will share common flavor elements. We also have some tried and true pairings for your perusal below.
Pairing Wine With Various Nuts
Pairing Wine With Pecans
Pecans are slightly sweet which makes them a perfect match for Pinot Noir. You could also try a Beaujolais or Grenache.
Pairing Wine With Almonds
Raw almonds need a crisp white. Try an unoaked Chardonnay or Champagne if you like bubbles. Toasted or Roasted almonds need something less acidic. Try a Pinot Noir here.
Pairing Wine With Peanuts
Beer is what usually comes to mind for perfect peanut pairings, but a sparkling wine like Prosecco or a buttery Chardonnay can make for a wonderful match, too.
Pairing Wine With Hazelnuts
The citrus and berry flavors of Rosé perfectly complement the sweet and woody notes of the Hazelnut.
Pairing Wine With Macadamia Nuts
Macadamias have a buttery richness. A dry sparkling wine like Champagne will take these nuts to the next level.
Pairing Wine With Walnuts
If there is one nut that can stand up to a bold red, it’s the walnut. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Malbec all pair nicely with this complex, earthy nut.
Pairing Wine With Pistachios
Pistachios are mild in flavor but can be a little sweet. A bright, zesty white such as Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, or Sancerre will enhance these tasty, green nuts.
Pairing Wine With Cashews
Cashews are universally loved, and rightfully so; sweet, buttery, and salty, they pair well with almost anything from a crisp Pinot Gris to a dry Rosé or a smooth Pinot Noir.
Pairing Wine With Candied Nuts
With candied nuts, you can go one of two ways; match the sweetness of the nut to the wine, or balance the sweetness with acidity. For sweet wine, a Gewurztraminer or Moscato will be good bets. If you want the acidity, try Chenin Blanc or Riesling.
Pairing Wine With Spicy Nuts
You will want to avoid reds and wines with high alcohol content for spicy nuts, as these can be an unpleasant combination. Stick with sweet whites like Sauternes or Moscato.
Pairing Wine With Smoked Nuts
A medium-bodied red will be a lovely complement to smoked nuts. Pair these nuts with a Barbera or Sangiovese.
