Are you looking for a new, delicious, ritzy way to enjoy your wine? Why not try a cookie pairing? It’s a simple but delicious upgrade, whether entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet night in; pairing your favorite cookies with the right wine can take your dessert game to the next level. However, with so many types of cookies and wines out there, how do you choose the perfect pairing?
I’ll guide you through the top 12 popular cookies and my recommended wine pairings, as well as, the most popular Girl Scout cookies.
Top 10 Cookie and Wine Pairings
1. Thin Mint Cookie and Sparkling Wine
The Thin Mint Cookie is full of peppermint flavor and pairs well with something sweet like sparkling wine. The bubbles in the sparkling wine cut through the chocolatey sweetness while playing off one another, giving them an elegant balance. This can be served any time of the year, particularly in the winter when you’re looking for a quick way to warm up.
2. Peanut Butter Cookie and Port Wine
The peanut butter is a great complement to the dark fruitiness of Port wine. The chocolatey cookie pairs well with fruity wines like Port, while the nutty undertones of the cookie cut through the sweetness of the wine. This pairing is a must-try if you’re looking for something with a little more depth than chocolate.
3. Caramel Apple Pie and Sparkling Wine
The combination of caramel and apple is a classic flavor combination. Still, the spices in this dessert make it a perfect pairing with a crisp wine like the sparkling varietals of California. The flavors of the cookie are enhanced by the sweetness of the wine, which gives it more depth than you would expect from such simple ingredients. Pairing with sparkling wine makes this unique dessert even sweeter.
4. Gingerbread Cookies and Marsala
A spicy cookie like the classic gingerbread mixes well with a bold, flavorful red wine like Marsala. The complex flavors of the wine balance out the spiciness of the cookie, giving you something unexpected and new. This is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a way to make your holiday cookies even better.
5. Peanut Butter Cookie and White Port
If you’re looking for a little more unique flavor, pairing the peanut butter cookie with the white Port is an excellent choice. Citrus notes complement the peanut butter and sugar from the Port. This pair is too unique to be paired with something traditional like wine or champagne, but it does well with the more robust wines of Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley.
6. Chocolate Cookies and Sparkling Wine
If you’re looking for a simple yet refined dessert, the chocolate cookie is a great choice for your sparkling wine. The bubbles complement the sweetness of the dessert in the wine, which makes it an appealing choice for those who like to pair their dessert with something bubbly. You can also try pairing your chocolate cookies with an Italian red wine like Barolo or Barbera to add complexity and depth to what otherwise would be a simple pairing.
7. Sugar Cookies and Ice Wine
A simple dessert like the sugar cookie pairs well with the wines of the Rhone Valley, including Ice wine. The complex flavors of the iced wine and the sweetness of the cake work together to create something a little more special than your typical dessert pairing. Try it with a sweeter sparkling wine like a Blanc de Blancs or Champagne for extra flavor for your dessert.
8. Shortbread Cookies and Champagne
Shortbread cookies are the perfect dessert for any celebration. The classic, flaky texture works well with crisp champagne. If you want a unique pairing to your champagne, consider adding fresh fruit. The tartness of the fruit cuts through the sweetness of the cookie and the wine in a way that will make your party one they’ll talk about forever.
9. Butter cookies and Chardonnay
A dessert like the butter cookie is a great choice if you want something sweet. It works well with Chardonnay, especially when paired with fruits. Try pairing your butter cookies with something light and refreshing, like a crisp, clean Chardonnay or light white wine. This combination is all about enjoying dessert differently by adding fruit to it.
10. Snowball Cookies and Pinot Grigio
If you’re looking for a simple dessert with a sophisticated twist, consider pairing your snowball cookies with Pinot Grigio. This Italian grape pairs well with many popular desserts, including the snowball cookie. The fruitiness of the wine cuts through this rich and creamy dessert in a way that’s different from the delicate white wines. This is an excellent choice if you want something light and refreshing to end your night.
Cookies and wine are a match made in heaven. They taste great together, and many ingredients are very friendly or complimentary. Pairing your favorite cookies with fine wine is a great way to change things up without changing the basic concept of your dessert. With the right combination of cookies and wine, you can create a truly magical dessert experience that will leave you and your guests wanting more.
