In our book, any event that gets people together outside to enjoy great food also needs a few bottles of wine to keep the party rolling. Why should a tailgate be any different? Wine Spectator asked nine sommeliers from football-loving towns across the United States which wines they’d pour into a red Solo cup. They suggested everything from Barbera to Beaujolais and even Champagne. Switch out the keg for a magnum this season!
Wine Spectator: What’s the best wine to take tailgating?
Tamara Quillam, wine director of 2023 Award of Excellence winner Landrace TX, San Antonio, Texas.
Living in Texas, tailgate parties in December can be warm in the 80s or absolutely freezing in the 20s (extremely cold for us). You won't know what the weather is going to bring until the day of the event. The one thing you can count on is the food; barbecue grills can be seen smoking from all over the parking lot. The smell of burgers, hot dogs and always Texas BBQ ribs and brisket will be wafting through the air.
My wine tote will be full of perfectly chilled Willamette Pinot Noir, the earthy cherry notes pairing perfectly with the sweet and spicy BBQ sauce Texas is known for. Although generally a lighter-bodied wine, Pinot Noir stands out as the perfect tailgate wine due to its versatility and all-around amazing ability to please all wine lovers. If you see me at a Cowboys game, come say “hi,” and I will pour you a glass!
Bobby Domenick, wine director of Best of Award of Excellence winner Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia
What a fun question! The wine I would bring tailgating would all depend what type of event I was tailgating for. Is it a summer concert or a late-fall football game? For both events, I would try to find a magnum so I can share it with my tailgate crew.
For the summer concert, I would bring La Spinetta Toscana Rosé, in the freshest vintage available to me. The alcohol content is a modest 12.5 percent, and the wine is tart, juicy and super-refreshing. For the late-fall football game: Braida Barbera d’Asti Bricco dell’Uccellone 2018 in magnum. This is a big and ripe expression of Barbera with loads of berry fruit matched by fairly high acidity. The alcohol is elevated and will help warm you up on a cold afternoon. It will also pair well with the typical tailgate food.
Hunter Ham, wine director of 2023 Award of Excellence winner Porters, College Station, Texas
Tailgating with wine? Well, there’s a fun twist! For me, the quintessential tailgate wine has to be Vinho Verde. It’s the ultimate “patio pounder”—light, crisp and effervescent enough to dance on your palate while you’re cheering on your team. With its vibrant zesty notes and a touch of sparkle, it’s akin to sunshine in a bottle, making every outdoor gathering feel like a mini-celebration. Think of it as the MVP of the wine world; it elevates the game while staying refreshingly humble.
Brian Hider, wine director of Grand Award winner the Pluckemin Inn, Bedminster, N.J. (both the NY Giants and NY Jets actually play and train in New Jersey)
Good Champagne. Everyone loves good Champagne, including me. When entertaining with friends, I always serve it. Even the friends who say they don’t like it find a way to have a few glasses.
Ryan Todd, wine director of Best of Award of Excellence winner Embers Wood Grill, Gainesville, Fla.
Living in the heart of football fanatics, tailgating with the proper beverages is a must. These events tend to be an extended two- to four-hour event here in the South.
For daytime tailgating, clean and refreshing tend to be the themes. Light white wines with citrus, floral and off-dry notes are the best. Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, sparkling wine, Alsatian Riesling and Gewürztraminer are always great options as crowd- and budget-pleasers. Oregon and New Zealand Pinot Noir for a social daytime red are always a good choice.
Our favorite pairing for tailgating is barbeque and Zinfandel. Smoky, spicy and rich cuts of meat go great with the bold flavors of New World Zin. The added alcohol content of the varietal is often a tailgating plus as well. For evening events and as the weather gets cooler later in the season, wines need to gain body and depth. Look for white wines like New World unoaked Chardonnay or Chablis. The best red wines for crowd-pleasing enjoyment and grilled food pairings are Malbec, lower-tannin Cabernet blends, Cabernet Franc and Rioja wines. Keep plenty of tailgating wine on hand and choose clean-finishing and palatable wines. Your tailgates are bound to be a success!
Brandon Smoot, wine director of 2023 Best of Award of Excellence-winner Dakota’s Steakhouse, Dallas
A tailgate party will be loud and full of distraction, so you might think I’d recommend something that requires no thought, but in fact I think that gives you your own cubby of mental space to just drink what you really, truly like, from very casual to contemplative. Nobody is going to make a production of what you’re drinking, so let the wine speak for itself.
That doesn’t mean you should choose utterly without bias: If you enjoy bubbles at all, they are a no-brainer. The food will likely be little bites, some of it spicy, and probably all over the map, potluck-style. [That] gives a notable edge to bubbles, which are transcendent rule-breakers when pairing. Moreover, bubbles don’t lose their integrity when ice-cold chilled in a chest cooler, won’t stain your outfit when you get rowdy, and will be more than “choice” when hopefully there’s something to celebrate during the game!
Jason Irving, wine director at Grand Award winner Topper’s at the Wauwinet, Nantucket, Mass.
Tailgating can involve a lot of situations: chilly fall concerts, cold snowy football games, warm spring baseball games, hot summer beach concerts, etc. If I had only one choice to match all events, it would be cru Beaujolais from France. Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py, if you’re willing to spend a little more, and Domaine M. Lapierre Morgon if you’re looking for value or on a budget. Cru Beaujolais Gamay is delicious with burgers and hot dogs, cheese and charcuterie, sausage and peppers. I bet you can get your friends and family on board with this friendly, approachable red, no matter what the tailgating occasion.
Michael Holmes, wine director of Best of Award of Excellence winner Pierpont’s at Union Station, Kansas City, Mo.
The wine I would bring to a tailgate is Louis Picamelot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé. This sparkling wine from the Burgundy region of France is 100 percent Pinot Noir and tastes wonderful. For a wine to be this good at such a reasonable price in a world where the price of everything has gone up just lifts the soul. From the first sip to the last, this wine creates the stars that shine in your eyes. It’s easy to drink by itself or pair with your favorite tailgate fare. Sparkling wines are often thought of only for special occasions, but should really be considered for every day.
