The combination of red wine and Manchego cheese is one of the classics that Spain fans already know for sure. Would you like to get to know new ideas for pairing wine and tapas? And what about tapas that are considered difficult to combine, such as patatas bravas? Which wines go well with it?

We show you 5 exciting wine and tapas combinations that you can easily try at home!

Wine and tapas pairing – our favourites

Jamón Ibérico & Cava

Everyone knows Jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham) and Cava, but hardly anyone has ever tried the two together. Both are among the most famous products of Spanish gastronomy.

It’s a very interesting contrast pairing, combining a wine with a dish that tastes completely the opposite. The acidity of the cava contrasts perfectly with the flavors of the ham and invites you to try more of it. The cheaper and just as good Jamón Serrano (Serrano ham) can also be used for this pairing. When it comes to cava, make sure you choose a low-sugar variety like Extra Brut and Brut. A Reserva or Gran Reserva fits best.

Patatas Bravas & Rose Wine

A beer tastes wonderful with patatas bravas. What about wine? It is not easy to find a suitable wine that harmonises with the spiciness of the dish and the intensity of the olive oil in which the potatoes are fried.

We recommend a fresh and fruity rosé wine made from Garnacha or Tempranillo grapes in combination with patatas bravas. The acidity of the wine balances the spiciness of the Bravas sauce, providing a pleasant taste in the mouth. From our point of view an ideal pairing. A rosé sparkling wine would also be possible if you like it a bit more sparkling.

Banderillas & White Wine

Banderillas are a very popular and great Spanish tapa that is very easy to make at home. To do this, poke olives, pieces of pepper, chili peppers and pickles one after the other on toothpicks or small skewers. Pickled small onions and anchovies can also be added as an option. If you don’t like it that spicy, you can of course omit the pepperoni. By the way, the small skewers also look very pretty on the table!

The banderillas harmonize best with a young white wine of the Verdejo, Airen, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscatel or Albariño grape variety. This refreshes the palate and “sweeps away” the intensity of the hot peppers.

Mushrooms and Red Wine

In Spain, mushroom dishes are very popular and widespread. There are a variety of recipes and uses that vary by region. Very typical are, for example, mushrooms fried in olive oil with ham and plenty of garlic or scrambled eggs with mushrooms.

With these dishes you should choose a young red wine that is in harmony with the mushrooms. A reserva or gran reserva would completely overwhelm the flavor of the mushrooms. The grape varieties Tempranillo, Garnacha, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot harmonize best with mushrooms such as porcini, button mushrooms, shiitake or chanterelles.

Blue Cheese & Dessert Wine

We’ve written about this pairing before, but it’s one of our favorites that just can’t be missed here!

You can use any blue cheese for this pairing. To give it a Spanish touch, we recommend Spain’s most famous blue cheese, Queso Cabrales. This is a semi-hard, blue-veined cheese made in Asturias from raw cow’s milk or a mixture of two or three types of milk (cow, goat or sheep), protected under the Denomination of Origin.

As usual for a blue cheese, it has a very strong flavor and is therefore ideal with a sweet wine to balance the intense and salty notes of the cheese. These are two opposite tastes, but when combined they create a real taste explosion.

The world-famous ultra-sweet sherry labeled »PX« (like Pedro Ximenez) goes wonderfully with the Cabrales cheese. This is made from the traditional white wine variety of the same name that comes from Andalusia. If you don’t get a Pedro Ximenz, you can also try the combination with another dessert wine, such as a port wine.

Have you tried any of these wine and tapas pairings before? Do you have any other combinations that should not be missing? Then leave a comment here, we look forward to your feedback!