4 Wine Pairings that Go Way Beyond Wine and Cheese

When you buy wine in bulk on Boxed, you know you’re getting a curated selection of award-winning wines from around the globe hand-picked by Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson. But the true beauty of #BulkLife is variety and discovering new favorites, so why limit your wine pairings to cheese? With so many different wines to try, it’s time to get imaginative. Whether you’re stocking up for Thanksgiving and looking to go beyond traditional turkey and stuffing or want easy weeknight meals to take you from work to weekend, here are four wine pairings that bring out the beauty of wine — and snacks — in bulk. Cheers.

Mac and Cheese: Prosecco

The wine: Abbazia Cuvee Prestige from The Sweet Life wine collection

The match made in heaven: Cheez-Its, Annie’s Organic Mac & Cheese (also available in single serving cups)

Mac and cheese is the ultimate indulgence, so why not celebrate it with sparkling wine? We can think of no better way to end the day than with this fruity and dry wine made from Glera, the famous Italian prosecco grapes from Lombardy’s Collio vineyards.

Gold Medal Winner, 90 points – 2016 Monterey Wine Competition

Silver Medal Winner – 2016 Critics Challenge Wine Competition

Silver Medal Winner – 2016 International Eastern Wine Competition

Aromas and Flavors: Golden Apple, Spring Flower

Pasta Night: Chianti

The wine: 2015 Villa Amoroso Chianti, part of our International Red Wines collection

The match made in heaven: Barilla Pasta Variety Pack, Barilla All Natural Pasta Sauce

The notes of smoke, clay and peppers in our 2015 Villa Amoroso Chianti are the perfect complement to tomato-based Italian dishes. This wine shines at the dinner table thanks to a joyful blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% regional varietals, creating a foodie-thrilling balance of tart red fruit and spicy herb flavors. This wine is best friend to your pizza, lasagna, and pasta marinara, perfectly balancing the tomatoes’ acidity. Get ready to get cozy.

Silver Medal Winner – 2016 Winemaker Challenge Competition

Aromas and Flavors: Red Fruit, Tomato, Spicy Herbs, Smoke, Clay, Peppers

Taco Night: Tempranillo

The wine: 2016 Kepe Tempranillo, part of our Tempting Tempranillo collection.

The match made in heaven: Old El Paso Taco Dinner Kit, Pace Picante Sauce, Prince & Spring Tex Mex Mix 

Tempranillo is Spain’s signature red grape, creating highly drinkable and versatile wines like this exciting new vintage of multiple award-winning Kepe Tempranillo. This ripe red balances notes of red berries and darker fruits like plum and currant, moving into a satisfying finish. It’s fantastic with a crowd-pleasing meal like DIY tacos or a homemade nacho plate. Long day and no time to cook? Pop open a spicy batch of Prince & Spring Tex Mixand a bottle of Tempranillo for movie night. Bliss.

Silver Medal – 2017 San Diego International Wine Competition

Aromas and Flavors: Red Berries, Plum, Currant

Burger Night: Dolcetto d’Alba

The wine: 2015 Abbazia Dolcetto d’Alba D.O.C from our European Passport Wine Selection

The match made in heaven: Burgers, Heinz Picnic Pack, Universal spice mix from Master Butcher Cara Nicoletti, Kettle Potato Chips

Dolcetto d’Alba has a singular purpose: to be enjoyed, especially with food. This award-winning Italian red has flavors of boysenberry and blackberry that are the perfect compliment to a savory burger covered in Heinz ketchup, mustard, and relish. Dare we say you’ll be relishing each sip?

Bronze Medal Winner – 2016 New York International Wine Competition

Aromas and Flavors: Blackberry, Boysenberry