The Sunday Soul Table: Gospel Brunch Wine Pairings
From after-church brunch to evening supper, discover wines that honor the traditions of the Black American table.
There's a rhythm to Sunday in Black American households. The morning starts with the choir, the afternoon unfolds around a table laden with dishes passed down through generations, and the evening winds down with conversation and connection.
Soul food isn't just cuisine—it's memory, resilience, and love made edible. These pairings honor that legacy while introducing wines from Black winemakers who are writing their own chapters in American wine history.
Gospel Brunch
After church, before rest
Chicken & Waffles
Crispy fried chicken atop fluffy waffles, drizzled with maple syrup and hot sauce. The ultimate sweet-savory-spicy trinity.
Brut Champagne
Stuyvesant Champagne (Black-owned)
Bubbles cut through the fried coating while acidity balances maple sweetness
Crémant de Loire
Bouvet-Ladubay
Budget-friendly alternative with bright apple notes
Health Note: Request waffles without syrup; the wine's natural fruit provides sweetness. GI: Low-Medium
Shrimp & Grits
Plump Gulf shrimp over creamy stone-ground grits with tasso ham gravy. Lowcountry meets comfort.
Oaked Chardonnay
Felicité Wines (Black-owned)
Creamy wine meets creamy grits in perfect harmony
White Burgundy
Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages
Mineral notes complement the oceanic shrimp
Health Note: Grits have moderate GI—pair with protein-first eating. GI: Medium
Ham & Biscuits
Honey-glazed country ham tucked into buttery, flaky biscuits. Sometimes with red-eye gravy.
Prosecco
La Marca
Light bubbles refresh against salty ham
Off-Dry Riesling
McBride Sisters (Black-owned)
Touch of sweetness matches honey glaze
Health Note: Skip the honey glaze; the Riesling provides all the sweetness needed. GI: Low
Smothered Pork Chops
Pan-fried bone-in chops smothered in rich onion gravy. The backbone of Sunday dinner.
Pinot Noir
Maison Noir O.P.P. (Black-owned)
Silky tannins won't fight the gravy's richness
Côtes du Rhône
E. Guigal
Herbal notes complement Southern seasonings
Health Note: Onion gravy is naturally low-GI; excellent choice for blood sugar management. GI: Low
Sweet Tea Glazed Ham
Whole baked ham with a sticky sweet tea and brown sugar glaze, studded with cloves.
Gewürztraminer
Trimbach
Lychee and spice notes echo the clove-studded ham
Demi-Sec Vouvray
Domaine Huet
Honeyed sweetness matches the glaze
Health Note: High sugar content in glaze—consider limiting portion. GI: High
Banana Pudding
Layers of vanilla wafers, fresh bananas, and creamy custard topped with whipped cream or meringue.
Moscato d'Asti
Michele Chiarlo
Light, frothy sweetness complements without overwhelming
Late Harvest Riesling
Poet's Leap
Tropical fruit notes harmonize with banana
Health Note: Consider sugar-free pudding recipe; pair with Moscato for lower alcohol. GI: High
Sunday Supper
The evening table
Fried Catfish
Cornmeal-crusted catfish fried golden, served with tartar sauce and hot sauce.
Muscadet
Domaine de la Pépière
Briny, mineral wine from the sea for fish from the river
Albariño
Do Ferreiro
Citrus notes cut through the fried coating
Health Note: Fried coating is moderate GI; protein keeps blood sugar stable. GI: Medium
Collard Greens
Slow-simmered greens with smoked turkey or ham hock, kissed with vinegar and hot sauce.
Grüner Veltliner
Loimer
Peppery spice and high acidity match the greens perfectly
Verdejo
Rueda
Herbaceous notes complement the bitter greens
Health Note: Excellent low-GI vegetable; pair liberally. GI: Very Low
Candied Yams
Sweet potatoes baked with butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows—holiday tradition year-round.
Tawny Port
Graham's 10-Year
Caramel and nut notes match the candied sweetness
Banyuls
Domaine du Mas Blanc
French fortified wine with chocolate undertones
Health Note: Very high sugar—consider small portions or modified recipe. GI: High
Mac & Cheese
Baked macaroni with multiple cheeses, topped with breadcrumbs or more cheese. The ultimate comfort.
Chardonnay
Sonoma-Cutrer
Butter meets butter; oak meets baked cheese crust
Chenin Blanc
Mulderbosch
Bright acidity cuts through rich cheese
Health Note: Pasta is high GI—consider cauliflower mac alternative. GI: High