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Well, the holiday season is in full swing, whatever that looks like now. Whereas these December days used to be packed to the brim, it is pretty quiet… at least here in Southern California. We usually have a big Christmas party around this time, but due to the pandemic 1) we won’t be and 2) haven’t even had a chance to meet that many people. We had lived in Los Angeles for less than 6 months before everything shut down.

Keep reading for a closer look at The Wine Party Co. and some french fry / wine pairing ideas!

Wine is one of my favorite things and while I like traditional pairings, I also like more non-traditional pairings that couple it with a few of my favorite things. Earlier this year I did a wine and potato chip pairing and then a wine and movie candy pairing this fall. I knew I wanted to do a french fry pairing next, but had put it off, because it is kind of lot to plan them. Thankfully I had some help with this pairing from The Wine Party Co.!

I love supporting small companies and am so excited to introduce you to the one that helped me with today’s pairing. The Wine Party Co. is an organic wine shop that is making good wine approachable with their wines and classes. Ronda Fraley, the company's founder and sommelier based in Los Angeles, exclusively curates organic wines from small producers around the world for their monthly wine club and wine packs. She also created a virtual class that teaches the basics of wine for everyday so you can master the wine list once and for all. Click here to learn more about The Wine Party Co.

Carly Jean Malibu Top (old, similar here) | Madewell Bandana | Spanx Faux Leather Leggings | Riedel Wine Glass

OUR WINE AND FRIES PAIRING

Like I mentioned, The Wine Party Co. paired this tasting for us! So these are all some of the wines that she currently offers. My personal favorite was the Rhône Blend with the sweet potato fries, but that is also the kind of wine I am drawn to. It’s so fun to taste the specific pairings, but then try with others to experiment. Enjoy!

• Sea Salt Fries

Pair With: Trebbiano d'Abruzzo (ours was by Cirelli)

Why it Works: The bright acidity and citrus flavors of this white wine bring out the best in the classic french fry while the sea salt in the fries makes the wine taste even fruitier. Cirelli is an organic producer that makes a knock-out expression of Trebbiano, a white wine grape native to Italy and known for being light, refreshing, and easy to drink.

Another option that might be more accessible: Champagne

• Cajun Fries

Pair With: Frappato (ours was by COS)

Why it Works: Cajun spice is a big, bold flavor and bears a little heat so you want a wine that lifts up the spices in a way that doesn't compete, but instead complements. Frappato is grape that has a strong structure - tannins and acid - but it brings levity to food with its lighter body and intensity. This wine also adds to the complex flavor story with aromas of red fruits, earthiness, and leather.

Another option that might be more accessible: Pinot Noir

• Sea Salt Sweet Potato Fries

Pair With: Rhône Blend ( ours was by Turner Pageot)

Why it Works: Sweet potato fries bring together a perfect balance of sweet and salty so they need a wine that amplifies those qualities without overwhelming the softer intensity of flavors. A Rhône style blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvèdre brings jammy black and red fruit flavors with a hint of sweetness and spice from oak. The acid and salt keeps your mouth watering for more while the complex flavors make every bite more interesting than the last.

Another option that might be more accessible: You should be able to find a GSM (Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvèdre) blend wherever you purchase wine.

OTHER WINE AND FRIES PAIRING IDEAS

• Cheese Fries

Pair With: Prosecco

Why it Works: With cheese fries, you want a light and bright wine that can cut through the gooey texture while complementing the saucy mix of cheeses on top. Queue: Prosecco. It's a sparkling wine known for having simple, fruity flavors so it won't compete with the flavors happening in the dish but it's got the right amount of acidity to enhance the textures.

• Truffle Fries

Pair With: Barolo

Why it Works: The easiest way to pair food and wine is to go region for region and it works because gastronomy and viticulture develop together over time. Truffes hail from Piemonte in Italy and so does the light yet bold Barolo. This wine has a lot of structure balanced with intense aromas of earthy tar and soft rose petals. It's a match made in Italy.

• Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Fries

Pair With: Gamay

Why it Works: These fries are going to taste sweet so you want to either go with a sweeter wine or go with the most versatile wine to pair with food: Gamay. It's a light red wine with low tannins which makes it work but it's the refreshing acidity and playful aromas of red fruits, krisch, and even sometimes cinnamon that make it great.

• Chili Cheese Fries

Pair With: Syrah

Why it Works: Chili cheese fries might seem like a tricky pairing but it's actually easy if you break it down. The flavors are bold and the texture is hearty. A bold, high tannin wine like Syrah will work like a charm and aromas of ground black pepper will be a little added bonus.

• Poutine

Pair With: Pinot Noir

Why it Works: The combination of gravy and cheese calls for a wine like Pinot Noir. The light body and fresh red fruit flavors work well but it's the lower tannins and higher acidity that really make this pairing work.

• Rosemary Fries

Pair With: Sangiovese

Why it Works: Rosemary is a delicate flavor so you want to be careful to choose a wine that won't overwhelm this style of french fry. A Sangiovese, like Chianti, is a red wine known for having a lighter intensity, fresh red fruit flavors, and aromas of dried herbs - including rosemary - which makes it an excellent pair.

• Garlic Fries

Pair With: Sauvignon Blanc

Why it Works: Garlic is a powerful flavor so it's best to choose a wine with a contrasting yet complementary flavor profile. Sauvignon Blanc has vibrant acidity, notes of lemon and fresh herbs, an intensity that matches perfectly.

One of our favorite things to do is make our own french fries, so that is what we did for our pairing. One reason we love to make them is because we know what all is going in them. For regular fries we just used sea salt and a little pepper. For cajun fries I made this seasoning. For sweet potatoes we just used salt and pepper. Note that you can buy frozen or grab fresh from your favorite restaurant or fast-food place. If I were going to buy them, I’d probably get McDonald’s fries, Five Guys cajun fries, and Hopdoddy sweet potato fries

We had our quarantine crew over (2 of our best friends) and used 4 russet potatoes and 1.5 sweet potatoes to make this batch. It was the perfect amount - we ended up with a little bit left which we snacked on the next day. To balance our wine and fries, I made this shaved brussels sprouts salad and it was the perfect little dinner.

I wanted to shared this on the blog asap, because it is a fun way to have a small gathering this season, or even do over zoom or facetime with your long distance friends and family. Who doesn’t like wine and fries?! The Wine Party Co. is a great business to support, especially during this season when we are buying a little more wine ;) Not sure what to get? You can actually schedule a consultation with the somm! Be sure to get your orders in this week (by 12/18!!) to get them by Christmas. Side note - you can get 10% off your order by joining the Wine Party Co. mailing list!

Have any other pairings you want me to do? Let me know because they are so fun!! I know i’ve had some beer requests.Maybe I’ll make Nick guest post some. Have a great week // holiday season. XOXO

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