Milk and Cookies Had a Good Run. Try Wine and Cookies.
Wine and cheese gets all the attention, but wine and cookies deserve a seat at the table too. The right pairing can bring out flavors in both the wine and the cookie that you'd miss drinking or eating either one on its own. Whether you're putting together a holiday cookie tray, hosting a casual get-together, or just want a better way to end a weeknight dinner, here's how to pair a few classic cookies with wines from our lineup.
White Wines & Sugar Cookies
2023 Rosanne Rosanne is an off-dry white with rich notes of citrus, and that crisp acidity is exactly what a sugar cookie needs. The wine cuts through the cookie's sweetness instead of getting lost in it, so you end up tasting both the citrus in the wine and the buttery vanilla in the cookie a little more clearly.
Wing Walker & Aerial Our two sparkling wines bring a little more energy to the pairing. Their bubbles and fruit-forward character play well against the cakey texture of a sugar cookie, making this a fun option if you want something a little more festive, especially around the holidays or for a celebration.
Bold Reds & Chocolate Chip Cookies
All of our reds lean bold and dry, which makes them a natural match for a sweet chocolate chip cookie. The balancing act happens when the wine's bold flavor stands up to the sweetness of the cookie, so neither one overpowers the other. If you're reaching for a red, look for something with good tannin structure, like our Cabernet Sauvignon or Tempranillo, to really hold its own against the chocolate.
Easygoing Reds & Oatmeal Cookies
If you want something a little more laid-back, an easy-drinking red like Howling Cow pairs nicely with an oatmeal cookie. The wine's smooth, approachable character doesn't compete with the warm cinnamon and brown sugar notes in the cookie, making this a good pick for a low-key evening in.
A Few Tips for Pairing Wine and Cookies
Match intensity, not just flavor. A delicate cookie can get lost next to a big, bold red, and a rich, fudgy cookie can overpower a light white. Try to match the weight of the wine to the weight of the cookie.
Let acidity do the work. Wines with brighter acidity, like our Rosanne, are especially good at balancing out very sweet desserts. If a cookie feels almost too sweet on its own, a crisp white can bring it back into balance.
Don't be afraid to experiment. Some of the best pairings come from trial and error. If you have a favorite cookie recipe, try it next to two or three different bottles and see what actually works for your palate.
Bring the Pairing to Your Table
Part of what we enjoy at Bar Z Winery is finding new ways to enjoy wine outside of just a glass on its own, and pairing it with something as simple as a cookie tray is an easy place to start. Next time you're baking, or picking up a box from your favorite local bakery, pour a glass of something from our lineup and see which combination becomes your new favorite.
Want to try these pairings for yourself? Stop by our tasting room in Canyon, Texas, just outside Amarillo, or shop our current release online.
