Food & Wine Pairing

    Pairing Wine with African American Cuisine

    Soul Food Meets Sommelier: From fried chicken to candied yams, discover perfect wine pairings with Black-owned wine recommendations and nutrition details.

    The Soul of Southern Cooking Meets Wine

    African American cuisine is rich with history, flavor, and cultural significance. From the smoky depth of BBQ to the comfort of mac and cheese, these dishes deserve wines that honor their complexity—including wines from Black-owned producers.

    Classic Soul Food

    Southern Fried Chicken

    Crispy, golden perfection with buttermilk brine and seasoned flour crust.

    Sparkling Brut / Champagne

    Alt: Dry Riesling

    GI: Low
    Diabetic OK
    Dry

    Black-Owned Pick

    McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Sparkling Brut

    Collard Greens

    Slow-cooked with smoked ham hocks, onion, and vinegar for depth.

    Pinot Noir

    Alt: Gamay (Beaujolais)

    GI: Low
    Diabetic OK
    Dry

    Black-Owned Pick

    Maison Noir Bottoms Up Pinot Noir

    Black-Eyed Peas

    Traditional New Year's lucky dish with ham, onion, and spices.

    Grüner Veltliner

    Alt: Albariño

    GI: Low
    Diabetic OK
    Dry

    Black-Owned Pick

    Maison Noir Other People's Pinot Gris

    Comfort Favorites

    Macaroni & Cheese

    Creamy, baked comfort with sharp cheddar and buttery breadcrumb top.

    Oaked Chardonnay

    Alt: Viognier

    GI: Low
    Diabetic OK
    Dry

    Black-Owned Pick

    Maison Noir Other People's Pinot Gris (lighter style)

    Candied Yams

    Sweet potatoes glazed with brown sugar, butter, and warming spices.

    Late Harvest Riesling

    Alt: Sauternes

    GI: High
    Sweet

    Black-Owned Pick

    Pair with McBride Sisters BGM Sparkling for contrast

    BBQ & Grilling

    BBQ Ribs

    Smoky, sweet, and tangy with caramelized sauce and fall-off-the-bone meat.

    Zinfandel

    Alt: Petite Sirah

    GI: Low
    Diabetic OK
    Dry

    Black-Owned Pick

    Brown Estate Napa Valley Zinfandel

    Sides & Breads

    Cornbread

    Golden, slightly sweet with crispy edges and fluffy interior.

    Moscato d'Asti

    Alt: Gewürztraminer

    GI: Medium
    Sweet

    Black-Owned Pick

    Love Cork Screw Sweet Red

    Cajun/Creole

    Gumbo

    Rich, complex stew with andouille, okra, and the holy trinity.

    Côtes du Rhône

    Alt: GSM Blend

    GI: Low
    Diabetic OK
    Dry

    Black-Owned Pick

    Brown Estate Chaos Theory Red Blend

    Sunday Dinners

    Oxtail Stew

    Braised for hours until falling off the bone with rich, gelatinous sauce.

    Cabernet Sauvignon

    Alt: Merlot

    GI: Low
    Diabetic OK
    Dry

    Black-Owned Pick

    Theopolis Vineyards Estate Petite Sirah

    Desserts

    Peach Cobbler

    Warm, bubbling peaches under golden, buttery biscuit topping.

    Moscato d'Asti

    Alt: Brachetto d'Acqui

    GI: Medium
    Sweet

    Black-Owned Pick

    McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Rosé (chilled)

    Red Velvet Cake

    Velvety chocolate cake with tangy cream cheese frosting.

    Ruby Port

    Alt: Brachetto d'Acqui

    GI: High
    Sweet

    Black-Owned Pick

    B. Stuyvesant Champagne (for celebration)

    Fried Favorites

    Fried Catfish

    Cornmeal-crusted, golden fried fish with hot sauce and lemon.

    Sparkling Wine

    Alt: Sauvignon Blanc

    GI: Low
    Diabetic OK
    Dry

    Black-Owned Pick

    McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Sparkling Brut

    Get Personalized Pairings at WINEVERSEiQ.com

    Our iQ Sommelier can suggest perfect wines for any dish—with nutrition info and options from Black-owned producers.