Pairing Mardi Gras cuisine with wines is a bit challenging as spicy foods form a large part of this holiday celebration. If you do not chose the right drink, it will spoil the flavor of your dish. Mardi Gras desserts such as king cake, also need to be paired with the right Mardi Gras wines to match the sweetness of the sugar. Follow the wine recommendations we have for you here.
Wines for Cajun Seafood
Cajun cuisine is flavorful, rich, spicy, and buttery. You must avoid pairing Cajun cuisine with wines containing high tannins like Cabernet Sauvignon. Seafood pairs well with crisp and cool white wines like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or Sauvignon Blanc as they do not compete with spicy flavors.
Domaine Du Tariquet Côtes De Gascogne Amplitude (2015) also pairs well with Cajun seafood. Cajun cuisine can also be paired with red wines like Pinot Noir or Shiraz.
Wines for King Cakes
Loaded with sugar, a variety of fillings and colorful frosting, king cakes pair well with a slightly sweet sparkling wine. You can opt for Spanish Cavas or the sweet Moscato d’Asti wines of Italy. Avoid sparkling dry wines such as brut Champagne.
Wines for Gumbo
Gumbo, a Louisiana signature dish, is filled with sausage, shrimp or chicken, pairs extremely well with Sauvignon Blanc. This wine balances the spiciness of this Cajun soup. If you want to opt for a red wine instead, try Pinot Noir or Shiraz as they are low in tannin structure, and also complement a spicy gumbo very well.
Mardi Gras Wine Glasses
You might be aware of the expression “we eat with our eyes first.” So, always ensure that your Mardi Gras food and drinks are presented well. You can buy some Mardi Gras wine glasses for your holiday celebrations on Amazon.
ArtisanStreet’s Mardi Gras Design with Purple Mask Wine Glasses
Click here to buy
Price: $60.00 and FREE shipping
Features:
- These glasses are hand-painted, made to order, and signed by Artisan
- Set of two balloon wine glasses are 8.5 inches tall and hold 18 ounces
- Wash with mild soap and water
- Features a purple mask with colored ribbons in traditional Mardi Gras design
- Wonderful housewarming gift or buy for yourself
Lolita by Enesco Mardi Gras Wine Glass
Click here to buy
Price: $21.59
Features:
- Hand-painted and mouth blown
- There is a unique recipe on the bottom of every wine glass
- Capacity: Lolita Wine Glasses hold 15 ounces
- Dimensions: 8.84″H x 3.38″W x 3.38″L
- All glasses come packaged in a signature gift box
ArtisanStreet’s Mardi Gras Design with Purple Mask Wine Glasses
Click here to buy
Price: $130.00
- Individually hand painted, made to order and signed by artisan
- Set of six balloon wine glasses are 8.5 inches tall and hold 18 ounces
- Wash with mild soap and water
- Features purple mask with colored ribbons in traditional Mardi Gras design
- Wonderful housewarming gift or buy for yourself
Have a happy Mardi Gras 2017!
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Sources:
Slinkard, S., “Pairing Wines With Favorite Mardi Gras Foods,” The Spruce web site, January 14, 2017; https://www.thespruce.com/wines-for-mardi-gras-3510974.
