There maybe no better pairing in existence than macaroni and cheese. Or is it wine and cheese? Or is it wine and pasta? Actually, forget the hierarchy of pairings and have all three together, because cheesy pasta and wine are an undeniably perfect trio. And getting fancy with your noodles is totally unnecessary when it comes to a wine and pasta night in. Boxed mac and cheese on your menu du jour? The cheese powder sauce and character shapes will go well with a blanc de blanc. Seriously.
“A fun trend in wine enjoyment is ‘slumming it’ with cuisine and an ordinary and delightful wine,” says
Matt Deller, Master of Wine and chief wine officer at
Wine Access. “Even the most basic food can be elevated with delicious wine.” Red, white, pink and even sparkling wines all pair well with cheesy noodles, so elevate your boxed mac and cheese to a meal worth pairing wine with. Here are some of Deller’s bottle suggestions to enjoy with your next bowl of orange-coated elbow noodles:
2015 Mario Schiopetto Collio Friulano DOC
Italians may not approve of your box of Kraft for dinner, but this unoaked Italian white wine is nonjudgemental. “[This wine] delivers deliciously exotic flavors and juiciness that brings mac and cheese to life,” says Deller.
$30, WineAccess.com
2016 Chateau La Mascaronne Quat’Saisons Rosé
Pink and orange are a natural match. ”Rosé is en vogue right now, and this one is super versatile with food, making any dish pop,” Deller says.
$20, WineAccess.com
NV Michel Turgy Reserve Selection Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Brut
You could of course class up mac and cheese night with a homemade version, but whatever cheesy noodle you’re eating will benefit from a few intermittent sips of bubbly. “This Grand Cru Champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay is fresh and lemony, keeping the palate fresh from mac and cheese grease,” Deller says. Pop a cork and pop some spiral noodles on your spoon.
$50, WineAccess.com
2015 Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes Cuvee Unique
As easy as mac and cheese is to eat, this wine is to drink, perhaps making a bottle of this French red a dangerous combo. “This Rhone red has all the softness, spiciness and juiciness to work with mac and cheese,” Deller says. $27, WineAccess.com
2016 Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand
“This fantastic Sauvignon Blanc from Baron Benjamin de Rothschild’s vineyards in Marlborough, New Zealand has the zingy, juicy acidity to elevate mac and cheese,” Deller says.
$22, WineAccess.com
