If you’re anything like a typical college kid, alcohol and desserts are your favorite things. However, most of us have no idea how to best combine these. Some wines pair horribly with some desserts.
Fear not: this guide will help you match your favorite desserts to its most complementary wine. We’ve even prepared suggestions for some cheap, but fail-proof wine brands for you. Bottoms up!
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies – Cabernet Sauvignon
Photo by Scott Harrington
The all-time classic chocolate chip cookie goes best with a fruity red like Cabernet.
Our pick: Barefoot Cellars Cabernet ($4.97)
2. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – Pinot Noir
Photo by Taku
Not everyone’s favorite cookie, but still a childhood favorite. The raisins pair perfectly with a red like pinot noir.
Our pick: Woodbridge Mondavi Pinot Noir ($5.49)
3. Brownies – Merlot
Photo by Jeffery W
The deep chocolate in brownies makes the perfect match with a dark red like Merlot.
Our pick: Yellow Tail Merlot ($5.99)
4. Vanilla Cake – Chardonnay
Photo Courtesy of Clever Cupcakes
Vanilla cake is light and simple so it pairs perfectly with the classic Chardonnay.
Our pick: Flop Chardonnay ($4.49)
5. Red Velvet Cake – Red Velvet Wine
Photo by Vnysla
What is better than to pair with a red velvet cake than a red velvet wine?
Our pick: Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet Wine ($13.99)
6. Chocolate Cake – Cabernet Sauvignon
Photo by Jacqs Carroll
A chocolate cake pairs well with the deep notes in a nice Cabernet Sauvignon.
Our pick: Woodbridge Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon ($5.49)
7. Cheesecake – Riesling
Photo Courtesy of Ulterior Epicure
Cheesecake’s creaminess makes it difficult to pair with many wines. But luckily for us, the fruity and light texture of Riesling complements the deeper notes in the cheesecake.
Our pick: Yellow Tail Riesling ($5.99)
8. Pumpkin Pie – Sherry
Photo by Emma Delaney
Pumpkin pie is a classic fall staple. To add some wine to your family gathering, try sherry. Its sweet notes complement the spices in the pie.
Our pick: Taylor Sherry Dry ($6.99)
9. Tiramisu – Champagne
Photo by Alexis Fam
Tiramisu is one of the classiest desserts around, so of course its pairing is champagne.
Our pick: Andre Brut ($4.77)
10. Sorbet – Pink Moscato
Photo by Angela Scheidel Randall
Sorbets are so tangy and fruity that they are ruined by most wines. To make it work, try a sweet pink moscato.
Our pick: Barefoot Cellars Pink Moscato Bubbly ($4.97)
11. Chocolate Ice Cream – Chocolate Wine
Photo by Morgan Schutt
Chocolate Ice Cream is difficult to pair with wine due to its extra creaminess. To fix this, pair it with a chocolate red wine. (Yes this exists!)
Our pick: Red Decadence Chocolate Wine ($10.99)
12. Vanilla Ice Cream – Cream Sherry
Photo by Elana Amsterdam
Vanilla Ice Cream is the jack of all trades; any number of toppings can be poured on top, including cream sherry!
Our pick: Fairbanks Cream Sherry ($8.99)
13. Apple Pie – Moscato
Photo by Winston Wong
The sweetened apples in this all-American dessert call for an equally sweet wine. The perfect light wine to accompany apple pie is Moscato.
Our pick: Barefoot Cellars Moscato ($6.99)
14. White Chocolate – Pink Moscato
Photo Courtesy of lindtusa.com
White chocolate has none of the cocoa solids found in other types of chocolate. This makes it a perfect match with a very sweet wine such as pink moscato.
Our pick: Andre Strawberry ($4.99)
15. Milk Chocolate – Port
Photo Courtesy of hersheys.com
Milk chocolate is the stuff of childhood. When you’re feeling this simple indulgence, try a sweeter Port. We promise it won’t overpower the chocolate.
Our pick: Taylor’s Tawny Port ($6.99)
16. Dark chocolate – Zinfandel
Photo by Siona Karen
Dark chocolate makes a heavenly match with a robust red wine. The dark chocolate goes really well with the deep flavors in Zinfandel.
Our pick: Barefoot Cellars Zinfandel ($4.97)
All prices are from Total Wine and More’s website.