KFC Wine Pairings
I'm back at the dinner table on National Fried Chicken Day, checking off another one of your favorite fast food joints and this time it's finger lickin' good. Chicken tends to be a fairly easy dish to pair with wines and seeing that we are in full summer mode, it's the perfect time to break out your favorite whites. Chicken's best friend, right?
Well, yes and no. One of the reasons chicken is so wine-friendly is because it's fairly neutral and takes on the character of the seasoning and method of preparation. That should make things pretty straightforward: grilled chicken can take a bigger wine; fried chicken needs bright acidity to combat the grease. It's all cut-and-dried. So which dish went better with the Vouvray, how did the Sauvignon Blanc fare and what about Pinot Grigio? Find out how your favorites did, and what the wild card winner was in our KFC Challenge!
Well, yes and no. One of the reasons chicken is so wine-friendly is because it's fairly neutral and takes on the character of the seasoning and method of preparation. That should make things pretty straightforward: grilled chicken can take a bigger wine; fried chicken needs bright acidity to combat the grease. It's all cut-and-dried. So which dish went better with the Vouvray, how did the Sauvignon Blanc fare and what about Pinot Grigio? Find out how your favorites did, and what the wild card winner was in our KFC Challenge!
In this gallery
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KFC Wine Pairings
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The Wine List
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The Menu
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KGC
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Finding a use for Pinot Grigio!
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Original Recipe KFC
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Fried Chicken Two Ways
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Hot Wings
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Hot wings and...
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Honey BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich
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Two Great Matches
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The Classic Chicken Sandwich
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Not again?!?
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Dipped Wings
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Long Live the King
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Conclusions
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Want to Learn More?
Comments
I've found that a good fruit-forward Pinto Noir works with fried chicken
Jul 06, 2011 at 12:08 PM
I actually did a similar series for pairings on my blog with two local BYO place in Los Angeles, Chego and Starry Kitchen! Both fairly inexpensive, amazing food, and award-winning chefs doing exciting asian-inspired food. Also, don't forget that an off-dry sparkling riesling (riesling Sekt) would probably be killer with KFC food! For Chego's pairings (korean rice-bowl glory by the inventor of the Korean Taco) check out http://eronrauch.blogspot.com/2011/... and for the pairings I came up with for the more subtle Vietnamese influence of Starry Kitchen look at http://eronrauch.blogspot.com/2011/... Keep up these fun posts!
Jul 06, 2011 at 6:11 PM
The funny thing for me was the fact that I was eating dinner while reading this article. Rotiss. Chicken and a J Pinot Gris. Not too far from the KFC experience.
Jul 06, 2011 at 9:54 PM
I can't imagine why anyone would want to eat KFC chicken, therefore I can't imagine why anyone would want to pair it with a wine. Since when did wine and grease pair?
Jul 07, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Leuman
Since when did wine and grease pair?
Oh, don't ever eat lamb again
Jul 07, 2011 at 12:50 PM
ec
This series is so bad, it is good. Great hook.
D
Jul 07, 2011 at 3:53 PM
Live a little folks. Instead of asking why all the time, ask "why not?" ;-)
Jul 09, 2011 at 9:43 PM
Not surprised at all that the Vouvray worked so well with a bunch of the dishes. ;-)
Believe it or not, sparkling Gruner Veltliner, while certainly off the beaten path, is a terrific match for fried chicken, as are a number of sparkling wines and Champagne.
Jul 19, 2011 at 6:32 PM
Dal Piaz
I can see the Sparkling Gruner working well here, and know you'd like the Vouvray, but Champagne? Really? We have finally found a way to make you drink Champagne!
Jul 19, 2011 at 6:43 PM
Here's my "go-to" junk food wine: Chinon. Plenty of acid to cut through the grease, but low tannins to avoid clashing with the food. I refer to Chinon as my "KFC wine".
Aug 04, 2011 at 4:58 PM
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