Beef jerky is great for a portable snack, for long hikes and camping, and for a lovely night with a glass of wine.
Besides the simple pleasures of having a relaxing glass of wine with food, there’s actually a scientific reason why wine pairs so well with meat.
An essential component to the flavor of a wine is its tannins (or the body) – the more tannins a wine has, the more bitter or astringent a wine will taste. These tannins have the ability to soften the fat in meat, which allows for the flavor to be more readily released on your taste buds. This combo of wine and meat even enhances the presence of subtler flavors in both the meat and wine.
The sweetness of wine also makes a difference – sweeter wines can help balance bold flavors and prevent flavors from being overwhelming to the palate.
If you’re looking to have a classy night with a glass of wine and your favorite Chomps meat sticks, here are some great pairings to try.
Wine Pairings for Your Favorite Chomps Beef Sticks
For these beef jerky and wine pairings, we list examples of which wines work and why so that you can get the best experience out of your pairing.
Original Beef
Wine to Try: Merlot, Shiraz
Why it Works: Merlot and Shiraz wines are red wines that have a high concentration of tannins, as well as a rich, full-bodied flavor to complement the beef. Merlot typically has notes of chocolate and cherry in its flavor, while Shiraz wines feature notes of berries, pepper, tobacco, and smoked meat.
Jalapeno Beef
Wine to Try: Argentinean Malbec, German Riesling
Why it Works: These wines were chosen because they complement spicy foods. Argentinean Malbecs and German Rieslings are low in tannins, have a full body, and have a sweet and fruity flavor that contrasts with the heat. Spicy foods typically increase the bitterness of wine, so you want to be careful.
Italian Style Beef
Wine to Try: Italian Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon
Why it Works: Italian Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon are two wines that work well in Italian foods. In particular, these wines pair well with foods that have red sauces or with pizza. Chomps’ Italian-Style Beef has flavors of oregano, basil, onion, and garlic to remind you of your favorite Italian foods. The rich and bold flavors of these wines are a perfect match.
Cranberry Habanero Beef
Wine to Try: Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
Why it Works: These wine pairings are all about balance. Just as the sweet cranberry flavor balances out the habanero in Chomps Cranberry Habanero Beef sticks, these white wines do the same thing. Pinot Gris, Rieslings, and Sauvignon Blanc are wines that are fruity, aromatic, dry (or off-dry) to complement the spiciness of the habanero.
Sea Salt Beef
Wine to Try: Pinot Grigio, Rosé
Why it Works: These wines were chosen for what they don’t have, as much as for what they do have. Sommeliers and chefs know that wines that are too high in tannins and oaky flavors can exacerbate the saltiness of your food and completely clash with the flavor. Pinot Grigio and Rosé wines are typically more acidic, fruitier, lower in tannins, and sweeter to cut down on the saltiness of food. You can also try a nice sparkling wine for good balance.
Some wines pair better than others for different types of meats and flavors based on the dryness, alcohol content, tannins, aging length, and underlying flavors of a wine. What we’ve provided here isn’t an extensive list, but these wines are a great place to start!
