January 9, 2025
From Hotdish to Snickers Salad: How to Pair Midwestern Food with Wine
When it comes to Midwestern cuisine, the flavors are all about comfort, warmth, and community. Dishes like hotdish, bratwursts, and even the quirky Snickers Salad hold a special place in the hearts of many. Here's our very own Midwest Food and Wine Pairing Guide to elevate these classic favorites with the perfect wine pairing. Enter Rolling Forks Vineyards, renowned for its exceptional cold-hardy grape varietals and wines made with Minnesotan’s in mind. Let’s explore how to pair these wines with your favorite Midwestern dishes for an unforgettable culinary experience.
First on the menu
The quintessential hotdish is a hearty casserole traditionally made with ground beef, vegetables, and a creamy soup base. It is often topped with tater tots and or cheese. For this rich and savory dish, consider our La Crescent, a semi-sweet white wine with bright notes of citrus and apricot. The acidity in the La Crescent cuts through the richness of the hotdish. Meanwhile its slight sweetness complements the dish's savory elements. Alternatively, if you prefer a red, go with Marquette, with its bold cherry and oak flavors, which offers a delightful contrast that enhances the overall meal.
Next, we turn to bratwursts, those deliciously spiced sausages that are a staple at any barbecue. Pairing bratwursts with our Wooden Link Rosé, another standout from our collection, can be a revelation. This wine boasts a balanced profile with fruit-forward flavors. Its pairs beautifully with the smoky and savory flavors of the sausages. For a slightly more adventurous pairing, try our Prairie Edge, a crisp white with green apple and pear notes. This wine is perfect for cutting through the fattiness of the bratwursts.
For the seafood lovers, we present our next course: grilled salmon with a lemon-dill sauce. This dish's delicate flavors and buttery texture call for a wine that can match its elegance without overpowering it. Our Allegro, a light and refreshing white wine with hints of green apple and melon, is an excellent choice. Its subtle fruitiness and crisp acidity enhance the salmon's natural flavors, creating a harmonious balance on the palate.
The pièce de résistance
of any Midwestern potluck: Snickers salad. In Minnesota we often serve salads that aren't really salads. This quirky dessert salad, made with whipped cream, apples, and chopped Snickers bars, calls for a wine that can balance its sweet and tart flavors. Rolling Forks’ Waska White is an excellent choice here. This off-sweet white wine has honeyed floral notes that harmonize with the caramel and chocolate in the Snickers. Furthermore, its acidity refreshes the palate after each creamy bite.
On to the finale,’ a classic Minnesota dessert: wild blueberry pie. Our dessert wine, Lady of the Lake, made from La Crescent harvested at their peak ripeness, provides a luxurious accompaniment. The wine’s luscious honey and tropical fruit flavors meld beautifully with the tartness of the blueberries, creating an indulgent experience that lingers.
Pairing Midwestern food with wine need not be intimidating or reserved for special occasions. No matter the occasion, Rolling Forks Vineyards offers a range of wines that complement the hearty, comforting flavors of Midwest cuisine. Go ahead and enjoy a casual family dinner or host a festive gathering, or fire up the back-yard BBQ for a neighborhood cook-out. Just don't forget to uncork a bottle of Rolling Forks wine to elevate your meal to new heights. Cheers to the perfect pairing!
