28 Best Snacks With Red Wine For Evening Nibbles

If you like to enjoy some appetizers before dinner with a glass of red wine then you’ve come to the right place! Below you’ll find 28 of the best snacks to enjoy with red wine. 

Red wine is one of the most famous drinks in the world, and with its rich flavor you can easily see why people like to enjoy a glass with some delicious appetizers. 

If you want a creamy, light snack we would recommend a Pinot Noir, but if it’s something spicy you’re after, we recommend complimenting that with Cabernet Sauvignon. Meanwhile, steak bites will go with any kind of red wine! Is your mouth watering yet? 

Snacks To Enjoy With Red Wine

If you’re throwing a dinner party then you may want to think more carefully about your wine pairings, but if you’re just having a night-in with your partner or having a casual night-in with friends, you can mix up your wines!

Of course, some wine pairings will enhance the taste of your snacks better than others. Plus, you can always experiment with different foods. So let’s take a look at some food pairing suggestions for your indulgent night-in, before we get into some specific recipes. 

Cheese, crackers, and summer sausages are beloved snacks, since they go with practically all kinds of wine. It might be a good idea to serve a range of cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, and Roquefort with some salted crackers to boost the taste. 

Vegetables and hummus is another beloved snack, and it’s great for vegetarians, vegans, and those with other dietary restrictions that prohibit dairy and meat. You use a variety of veggies like carrots, cauliflower, celery and cucumber, and a range of homemade hummus too. 

Trail mix like almonds, cashews, peanuts, and pistachios is another awesome snack to enjoy with a glass of Beaujolais. To boost the flavor add some dried fruit like raisins and cranberries with a hint of sweet, roasted coconut.

If you’re not a fan of popcorn, then why not try potato chips instead? You can go for barbecue, onion, or spicy flavors and mix them with wines like Moscato, Port, or Riesling. If you have salty chips however, we recommend drinking a sweet wine to ward off thirst.

Deli meat such as chicken fingers, chicken wings, chorizo, ham slices, Prosciutto, and salami are a great pairing with fruity wines like Barbera, Merlot, and Syrah. 

Practically any kind of pizza pairs well with wine, especially if it’s spicy and with a range of toppings such as anchovies, bacon, Gorgonzola, mushroom, olives, and sausage. 

Tortilla chips and dip like avocado aioli, creamy tahini, roasted garlic red hummus, salsa verde and spinach artichoke make a great pairing with Port.

Lastly, if you’re having a romantic night-in, then you can’t go wrong with wine and chocolate! Practically all Cadbury chocolate is an amazing snack to eat with Pinot Noir, but if dark chocolate is for you, then Merlot, Syrah, or Zinfandel is the way to go.

Recipe Ideas For Red Wine Snacks

1. Ham And Cheese Roll-Ups

Ham and cream cheese roll-ups are the ideal dinner party appetizer as they’re simple to make. They’re basically a small breakfast sandwich that has less bread but more meat! However, they’re so fancy that your dinner party guests are sure to be impressed.

2. Marinated Cheese

Marinated cheese is one of the most indulgent, savory cheeses you’ll ever taste. The longer the cheese marinated, the better, but if you just can’t wait you can definitely eat your cheese straight away – we won’t judge! 

Serve it alongside celery sticks, the crackers of your choice, or French baguette for a totally memorable appetizer that will have your tastebuds delightfully dancing. 

3. Sweet And Sour Meatballs

These sweet and sour meatballs are juicy and tender, and are a great way to build up to the meal ahead. This is the definition of feel-good food that we recommend pairing with a rich, dry wine such as a Cabernet Sauvignon. 

4. Black Truffle Brie

This will definitely be the creamiest appetizer you’ll ever have! French brie, mascarpone, and truffle paste come together to create a cheesy, rich dish that is undeniably heavenly. Black truffle can be a bit on the expensive side, but it’s totally worth the money.

Try this black truffle brie wheel to discover for yourself!

5. Cheesy Sausage Wonton Bites

These cheesy sausage wonton bites are super crispy and packed with sausage filling, making them great canapés you can pop in your mouth. The outside is crunchy while the inside is chewy and soft. The whole thing is just delightful!

Plus, the light seasoning gives the bites an extra boost of flavor that lets the tasty sausage shine.

6. Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Cucumber Appetizer

Smoked salmon cream cheese cucumber appetizers make for a light, elegant dish that is great for a summer dinner party. This creamy yet crunchy snack is refreshing, as well as being quick and easy to make. 

This appetizer is the best of two worlds – it’s deceptively elegant with a delicious flavor. 

7. Chorizo, Manchego, & Olive Skewers

These chorizo, Manchego and olive skewers are the perfect balance of crunchy, salty, and zingy. The chorizo is packed with flavor and just the right amount of spice, and the Manchego cheese (which is semi-hard cheese made of sheep’s milk) has a gorgeous nutty taste. 

With a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of slivered almonds, these skewers are a party on your tongue.

8. Pigs In A Blanket

Why compromise with boring old chicken wings when you enjoy these smoky, spicy pigs in a blanket instead? They couldn’t be simpler too. Just wrap some sausage in a blanket of pastry and bake until golden brown.

You can then serve the piggies with maple-dijon dipping sauce or spicy mayo dipping sauce.

9. Mini Quiché

This mini Quiché recipe is a great way to satisfy a craving for a Quiché without ruining your appetite with a regular-sized Quiché. 

These small quiches are made with a flaky, buttery pie crust and a basic egg filling that makes them great for all occasions throughout the day.

It also gives you room to add extra ingredients if you wish such as bacon, ham, mushrooms, peppers, scallion, Swiss cheese, spinach, and more!

10. Blueberry & Goat Cheese Crostini With Herbs & Honey

Who doesn’t love any excuse to enjoy a crostini? And this crostini is packed full of flavors, even with just one bite! The blueberries are juicy and tart, the goat cheese is tangy and creamy, and the thyme gives a slightly lemony and earthy flavor. 

Add a drizzle of honey for a touch of floral sweetness and you’ve got one dynamic crostini!

11. Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

If you would like a delicious, fun dish that’s simple to create and can be made in advance, then why not make these sausage stuffed mushrooms? These mushrooms are packed with a salty, spicy sausage, rich cream cheese, and breadcrumbs.

We bet they’re going to be a crowd favorite. The recipe contains more breadcrumbs than sausages, so it’s a lot less filling than it looks!

12. Caramelized Onion Tarts With Blue Cheese

These caramelized onion tarts are packed with tangy blue cheese and sweet fig jam and have a flaky, puff pastry crust drizzled with honey. This is a classic appetizer that never gets old, especially when eaten warm and fresh from the oven.

But they also taste great at room temperature too! 

If you would like appetizers that pair well with red wine or you want to add a touch of flavor to your next dinner party, then why not try these tasty treats?

13. Antipasto Kabobs

These antipasto kabobs look professional chef-level hard but they’re actually deceptively simple. You just need a couple of veggies, some cheese, and a couple of skewers. 

Begin with cherry tomatoes before adding cheese tortellini and mozzarella balls marinated in rich Italian seasoning, basil, and cubes of cold meat before finishing it off with kalamata or an olive. 

It’s the herbal, cheesy deliciousness of an antipasto platter in a bite-sized, simple treat. 

14. Cheesy Shrimp Scampi Dip

We think you’re going to love this cheesy shrimp scampi dip. It’s cheese, tasty, and the perfect dip for a dinner party. The frozen shrimp scampi is mixed with plenty of cheeses and cream to create an indulgent blend that’s ideal for dipping.

Serve the scampi dip warm with bagel chips, crackers, herbed crostini, or torn bread. 

15. Creamy Prosciutto Cracker

Creamy Prosciutto cracker is a simple yet elegant appetizer that can be ready in minutes and looks totally fancy. It’s a crispy cracker with a decadent creaminess thanks to the cream cheese, as well as a garnish of parsley and honey and small smoky prosciutto curls. 

It’s the ideal appetizer for an elegant dinner party, or even just lunch at home with friends. 

16. Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds

Do you want a salty, nutty, and bitter snack that pairs well with red wine? Then these dark chocolate sea salt almonds are for you! When it comes to pairing food with whine, it’s also good to remember that bold flavors go together. 

So, try complementing your dark chocolate sea salt almonds with a warm, full-bodied red like a Merlot. This kind of red wine has a fruity, indulgent flavor and less tannin than other wines, so it complements the dark chocolate but doesn’t make it more bitter. 

17. French Onion Fillo Bites

These French Onion Fillo Bites are seriously tasty! They have a caramelized onion filling, making it simultaneously savory and sweet. With a topping of sharp cheese you get a melty, gooey appetizer that goes well with a glass of red wine. 

18. Mini Cheeseburgers

Mini cheeseburgers are the ideal addition to a dinner party, especially one that takes place around the holidays. Plus, they’re the ideal size for appetizers that pair well with red wine. 

These mini cheeseburgers are made with beef and are grilled until they’re tender and juicy. Every bite is a delight!

19. Peking Duck With Mandarin Pancakes

Peking duck with Mandarin pancakes is an iconic dish, and this version is jaw-droppingly good! It’s an essential dish for fans of duck.

The thin slithers of the meat and crispy skin are masterfully carved from the duck and served with Mandarin pancakes as well as condiments such as veggies and sweet and savory sauce. 

20. Seared Pepper Beef Carpaccio

This seared pepper beef carpaccio is tender, succulent, and seared perfectly to seal in the gorgeous flavor of the beef. Plus, it’s accompanied by sharp, salty Parmesan and peppery arugula, a combination that will be a burst of flavor on your tastebuds!

The beef also has a taste that is surprisingly mild, so we would recommend pairing it with a light red such as a Rose, or a medium to full-bodied red like Gamay, Grenache, or Pinot Noir.

21. Lamb Chop Bruschetta

Just one bite of this lamb chop bruschetta will send your mind straight to the Mediterranean! The delicious mix of earthy hummus, lamb, and tart cranberry goes incredibly well with a sweet orange flavor that compliments the meat.

It’s also super easy to prepare this dish yourself, and it may become your new favorite Mediterranean meal.

22. Baked Brie With Figs, Walnuts, & Honey

Baked brie with figs, walnuts, and honey is an incredible mix! The fruity fig compliments the sweet honey perfectly, while brie is a classic cheese that has an earthiness similar to mushrooms and just gets stronger as the cheese matures. 

We recommend pairing this dish with a Pinot Noir to really appreciate the distinctive flavors of the baked brie, and so it won’t be overwhelmed by the lightness or acidity of the wine.

23. Steak Bites With Chimichurri Dipping Sauce

These steak bites are full of flavor, and while you may be tempted to forgo a glass of red to just enjoy your delicious steak bites, resist the urge to do so! The best way to eat this appetizer is with a glass of the red wine of your choice. 

The rich, bold flavors of the steak contrast well with the fresh, clean flavor of the chimichurri sauce. Because garlic is an important ingredient here, it goes particularly well with a fruity wine like Malbec.

But if Malbec isn’t for you, you can pair it with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot too. 

24. Blue Cheese Fig Flatbread With Balsamic Sauce

If you’re a lover of bread, cheese, and red wine, then you’re going to love this dish, which is a delicious combination of all three! 

This appetizer is perfect for when you want to wow your dinner party guests with an elegant and delicious canapé. The flatbread is chewy and soft, and the figs give it much-needed crunch. It’s topped by a drizzle of balsamic sauce.

It’s an amazing way to begin any meal, whether it’s an elegant brunch or an intimate dinner party.

25. Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwich Appetizers

Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwich Appetizers are small treats made with a sliced baguette and mature cheddar. This is a charming, cheesy, and delicious treat! They’re big enough to satisfy your cravings without spoiling your appetite. 

26. Mini Calzones

These mini calzones are so good you’ll want them every day! Each bite is packed with juicy salami, provolone cheese, and rich ricotta. It feels like you’ve bitten right into a crusty, golden brown piece of pizza dough.

We recommend serving these small treats with a fruity, Italian wine that will cut through the acidity of the sauce.

27. Bacon Ciabatta Crostini With Pimiento Cheese & Jalapeño

Bacon ciabatta crostini with pimiento cheese and jalapeño is an elegant appetizer ideal for dinner parties. Plus, it’s simple to make! It’s an easy combination of bread that is brushed with bacon grease and then toasted, before being topped with a candied jalapeño.

What you’re left with is a savory, crunchy treat that is a great pairing with red wine. 

28. Potstickers

These potstickers are a tasty and filling twist on a traditional dumpling. They’re pan-seared to ensure that they have a tasty crisp texture on the outside, and a juicy filling. 

While this recipe calls for pork for the tastiest and juiciest flavor, you can use beef or chicken if you prefer.

Final Thoughts

We hope our article has given you some ideas for snacks to pair with an evening glass of red wine! Ultimately however, what snacks you enjoy with your red wine is really down to you.

There are lots of delicious appetizers you can enjoy with red wine, but it all’s according to your preferences. Whether you love meats, cheese, or veggies, there is a kind of red wine that pairs well with practically any food you can think of. 

The important thing is to discover what you like and look into what red wines go well with your favorite appetizers so you can begin experimenting. 

With the inspiration we’ve provided and a little bit of research, we’re sure you’ll soon be creating a menu of appetizers to enjoy with a glass of red wine.

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