Wine Line-Up for your Football Tailgate Table #SundaySupper

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Wine Everyday

USNA March On
Meadowlands, NJ
October 23, 2010 Navy v. Notre Dame

Fall, the most wonderful season of all; crisp cool air, sunshine and football. I was raised on football, The New York Football Giants to be specific. My father began taking my siblings and me to games in the early 60’s and we’ve been going ever since. But, now that I live in Annapolis, Maryland we cheer for our home team; The United Sates Naval Academy. My family’s naval roots run deep; my father, uncles, cousins and in-laws have served in the Navy, which makes cheering for the USNA football team all that more special. Tailgating at Navy games involves both pre and post game menus. Since the Midshipman march on to the field in formation, they miss out on the pre-game festivities in the parking lot. After the game though ~ watch out! Hundreds of Midshipmen invade the parking lot looking for a meal, so you better be ready with some really great food. I think we’ve done a particularly good job at our tailgates, because we still have former Midshipman, now Naval and Marine Officers, make their way back to town for a tailgate or two each season.

Now on to the Wine and Food!

To choose wine for an event where everyone is bringing a different dish is challenging. There are folks that no matter what food you serve, will only drink sweet whites, and others that only gravitate to dry reds, be prepared and bring some of each. I was fortunate to get a sneak peak at some of the dishes featured in today’s Sunday Supper line up, they are magnificent and are well deserving of some special wine. And, please don’t forget to sample the Bloody Marys and cocktails that, along with some beer, truly round out a tailgate!

White Wines

2010 Roland Lavantureux
Petit Chablis
100% Chardonnay

For the creamy dishes and dips: Roland Lavantureux 2010 Petit Chablis I know, you are saying ‘what? that’s too fancy a wine for a tailgate!’ I say ‘If you think you want an unoaked Chardonnay, choose a Chablis!’ This wine, imported by Kermit Lynch, is a very affordable and utterly quaffable wine with orange blossom aromas and a crisp clean finish, this wine is excellent and a great value around $20 | 750 ml | 100% Chardonnay | stainless steel fermentation.

2011 Big House
White Wine

For the spicy dishes and for those folks that require a bit of sweetness in their wines: 2011 Big House ‘White Wine’, a blend of over 10 California white varieties, this wine has aromas of floral and fresh linen breezes, honey suckle flavors, with a slightly sweet and refreshing finish. Priced at $10 | 750 ml | really, you can’t go wrong. And, if your tailgate starts at the wee hours of the morning (as ours sometimes have) this is a great breakfast wine for pastries and fruit platters.

Red Wines

2011 Innocent Bystander
Pinot Noir
Victoria, Australia

For the chicken dishes and sandwich platters: Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir, Victoria Australia, a remarkably affordable, well made Pinot Noir. Bright cherry fruit throughout with spice flavors that last through the finish. A great entry level Pinot Noir and priced around $15 | 750 ml | will satisfy the red wine lovers who don’t want to go too dry.

2006 Small Gully Wines
The Formula Robert’s Shiraz
Adelaine Plains, Australia

For the sloppy joes, bowls of chili and charred grilled meats that can stand up to a stronger red: 2006 Small Gully Wines ‘The Formula’ Robert’s Shiraz, Adelaide Plains, Australia. Strong aromas of tobacco and chocolate lead to a mouthful of juicy red fruits and spice on the finish. This is a crowd pleasing Aussie Shiraz that is both food friendly and great to sip on its own. I stumbled upon this at my local wine shop for $15 | 750 ml |

2006 Cosentino Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa, California

For those that head straight to the dessert table: 2006 Cosentino Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa County, CA. I got a sneak peak at the Peanut Butter-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies by Chocolate Moosey and one of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon immediately popped into my head. Dark fruit, pencil shavings and tobacco elements throughout, with sturdy tannins and a sexy finish. I love this wine with chocolate! 2006 vintage retails $40 | 750 ml | I paid under $20

Warre’s Bottled-Matured LBV Port, Portugal. Late Bottled Vintage ports are a more affordable alternative to Vintage ports, priced around $20 and ready to drink, they pair very nicely with nuts, cheese platters, bonfires and cigars.

The Lineup

Pre Game Warm-ups:

Sausage Balls by My Catholic Kitchen
Edamame Hummus by Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Slow Cooker Rueben Dip by The Meltaways
Buffalo Wing Hummus by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Smokey Guacamole with Bacon by Family Spice
Pepperoni & Mozzarella Pull Apart by In the Kitchen with KP
Boneless Honey BBQ Chicken Wings by Juanita’s Cocina
Candied Pecans by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
Crispy Coconut Chicken Strips with Sweet Chili Sauce by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
Swabian Mini Meatballs (Schwaebische Mini Fleischkuechle) by Galactosemia in PDX
Joe Montana’s Touchdown Guacamole by Noshing with the Nolands
Cheddar Cheese Jalapeno Bites by Mama.Mommy.Mom.
Hot & Spicy Popcorn Chicken by My Trials in the Kitchen
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites by Family Foodie
Soft Pretzels with Spicy Beer Cheese Sauce by girlichef
Game Day Loaded Nachos by The Messy Baker
Buffalo Chicken Dip by Home Cooking Memories
Southwestern Spring Rolls by Supper for a Steal
Pepperoni Pizza Puffs by Comfy Cuisine
Roasted Garlic Bacon Dip with Easy Homemade Tortilla Chips by Daily Dish Recipes
Beer Battered Spiced Sweet Potato Lentil Fritters by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Indian Spiced Chicken Meatballs by Soni’s Food for Thought
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers by Real Best Recipe

On the Sidelines:

Anne’s Best Potato Salad with Bacon and Peas by Webicurean
Simple Roasted Purple Potatoes by Ruffles and Truffles
Spicy BBQ Baked Beans by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
Papa’s Potato Salad & Baked Beans by Kwistin’s Favorites

Main Events:

Gluten Free Breakfast Sandwich by Cooking Underwriter
Pollo Adobado con Papas (Adobo Chicken with Potatoes) by La Cocina de Leslie
Poor Man’s Burrito by Shockingly Delicious
Ham and Mushroom Handpies by Vintage Kitchen Notes
Individual Muffuletta Sandwiches by Magnolia Days
Far East Steak Salad by Diabetic Foodie
Italian Sloppy Joes by The Weekend Gourmet
Hot Chicken Chili by Momma’s Meals
Louisiana Sloppy Joes by Sustainable Dad
Hawaiian Chicken Wraps by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Grandpa Sal’s Sausage and Peppers by Daddy Knows Less
Fancy Filet Chili by I Run for Wine
Homemade Italian Sausage by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Jalapeno Crockpot Chili by Mama’s Blissful Bites
Flavorful Fall Marinade by Midlife Road Trip
Moose Chili by Mrs. Mama Hen

Overtime:

Peanut Butter-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies by Chocolate Moosey
Streusel Topped Pumpkin Bread by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Zucchini Cupcakes by In the Kitchen with Audrey
Oven-Baked Churros by Small Wallet Big Appetite
Swirl Nutella Cupcakes by Basic N Delicious
Peanut Butter and Pretzel Truffles by Gotta Get Baked

From the Cooler:

Sparkling Tropical Lemonade by Dinners. Dishes, and Desserts
Strawberry Horchata by Damn Delicious
MVP Bloody Mary Bar by An Appealing Plan
Bloody Mary Gazpacho by 30aeats

Wine Pairings by yours truly: Wine Everyday

Many thanks to Lane Richeson www.SupperForASteal.com for hosting today’s Sunday Supper! Join us on September 9th as we share our favorite tailgate recipes and tips. Hop on twitter at 7pm EST for the live #SundaySupper chat.

About Wine Everyday

Eileen Gross is a 1983 Graduate of Fordham University and retired Financial Professional and Founder of Phillips Charitable Foundation, Inc. Annapolis, Maryland. She is wine lover, traveler, and collector who shares her wine experiences with private wine tastings and on her blog “Wine Everyday." She is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, The Wine Century Club and a contributor the former 12Most.com.

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