Classic Wine And Video Game Pairings 

You have probably seen millions of online lists about how to pair wine and food. Or wine with music. Heck, you might even see wine with movies. Where are the video game wine pairings? Morgan Harris is a Master Sommelier who discussed which wines are best paired with what games.

We should first note that pairing wine with game is not an exact science. Combining wine and food results in chemical reactions that alter the flavors. Game pairings are not affected by this. Harris states, “Fundamentally wine is a grocery. This means that it has very few structural overlaps with games, which are a leisure activity.” “At their base, they’re very different things, but there is certainly some overlap and both of them are designed to give pleasure … I would argue that much like games, a lot of the joy of wine is in the discovery. As you explore a new world, wine’s joy is in discovering and tasting novel things. This caveat aside, it is possible to think of types of wine as genres of video games.

These wines can be paired with games to make a great night of gaming.

Riesling & Stardew Valley

German Riesling can be very sweet, yet it is acidic. I think it’s funny that we have a sort of bias against sweet wines – as Americans, we don’t drink that, and yet we love soda, which is the exact same thing. It is very tart, and a little sweet. This is what it feels like to sit down and drink a glass German Rhieling. This is like having fun with something completely mindless.

Barbaresco/Barolo & Darks Souls

Nebbiolo is the most famous wine from Northern Italy. This grape goes into two different wines: Barbaresco and Barolo. They are very, really tannic wines when young. That’s why you feel a drying sensation and high levels of acid. While they are excellent with red meat, they don’t make a great choice for everyday drinking. Their grippy, astringent nature makes them difficult to drink. This is kinda like Dark Souls. You might find it challenging but it is possible if it takes time and patience.

Champagne & Story-based RPGs

In a way, Champagne is like story-based RPGs. You can lose yourself in its little world. With the caveat of wine being a shared drink, champagne is a great way to relax and enjoy single-player story-based RPGs. You can do it at your own pace. Although there are many quest icons around, it doesn’t mean that everyone has to go on that quest. Nobody is rushing you. You won’t be rushed. The whole thing can be done at your pace. You are not dependent on anyone else to do something else. Champagne for me is quite relaxing.”

Sauvignon Blanc & Fighting Games

Sauvignon blanc can be described as a fighting game in that each wine has a very distinct flavor. Some people won’t like it. Some people love it. Some people love it. It’s just too bizarre for many people. It’s like a sweaty, up, down and down feeling that’s appreciated by those who enjoy that kind of thing. The same goes for Sauvignon blanc. It’s either a favorite or a fav. There are many different ways to express it. You can find many sub-genres, such as fighting game sub-genres.

Chardonnay & Shooters 

Chardonnay has a very subtle flavor and is somewhat influenced by the region it’s from. You have Chablis from northern France. It’s lean and has low alcohol. This wine is grown in the northern part of France, so it doesn’t contain any oak. California Chardonnay is the other side. It’s rich, oaky, and buttery. Both are the same grape but their origins can be very different. FPS is, to a certain extent, the same. A looter-shooter like Destiny is bullet spongy. Although it has FPS mechanics, the experience is more RPG-like. There are also CoD games, each with their own flavor, and which may be more popular than others. There are also games such as Counter-Strike or Valorant. These games are all interrelated. It’s possible to view a gunsight from many angles and still shoot people. You can use many different expressions even within one type.

Cabernet Sauvignon & World of Warcraft

MMOs have ubiquity. I believe they go with Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s an experience nearly everyone has had. It’s rare that people have never played one, or even know the name of one. There’s many parallels. I mean, the number of gamers who have not played MMOs – and certainly thinking of World of Warcraft as a principal part of the genre. It’s dependable. It’s reliable. Everyone can find something within it that they love.”

Pinot Noir & Hades

Pinot Noir could be described as “a roguelike, or roguelite.” Pinot Noir is a very, very hard grape to grow. However, when done well it can become one of most extraordinary grapes. This grape has the highest quality, but lowest highs. You could also think of Spelunky and Hades the same way. It’s easy to get discouraged when you first start. But, as you gain more knowledge, the feeling of accomplishment is greater. The same goes for Pinot Noir. To find the perfect Pinot Noir, you have to go through many mediocre wines. It is very difficult to grow. It’s hard work. Producing it takes skill and a lot of deftness.

Ultimate Takeaway 

It’s all about finding structural similarities between grape varieties and wine types when pairing wines with games. But there are no one-to-1s. A bottle of wine paired with a video game will make for a great night.

Harris states that “to some extent, games are a contest.” Harris says, “Even though it’s yourself against others. Wine wasn’t meant to be competitive. It doesn’t really matter how much a Napa Valley Cabernet is worth; it won’t be the wine for you if you enjoy white wines that are easy-going and refreshing. Both are great leisure activities. They’re supposed to be enjoyed together. Like many other things, it’s a great way to have fun with your friends and enjoy wine. Visit their home, purchase a bottle, and have a conversation about the wine. Have fun. Enjoy it.

Be responsible with your drinking!