My girlfriend is a fan of kicking off a casual evening with friends by serving a delicious bowl of nuts for everyone to munch on. While she does this, I’m normally making cocktails and pouring glasses of wine. Between the two of us, we’ve put together a few delightful wine-and-nut combos to try the next time you gather friends:

Peanuts
One handful of peanuts has a way of becoming two or three, so to refresh yourself between bites, sip something with a little fruitiness to contrast the salt. Many Washington and Oregon Rieslings will do the trick. For something drier, reach for Cava. This refreshing, and often inexpensive sparkling wine from Spain fits right in with the sorts of easygoing gatherings (i.e. tailgates and bowl-game parties) where casual jars of peanuts are right at home.

Cashews
Match the cashews’ irresistible buttery richness with a wine that has some luxurious oaky weight. Many Australian and California Chardonnays, especially those that have been barrel fermented, offer just that. Or, go in the opposite direction with a lighter style of Chardonnay, one that’s labeled “un-oaked.” With this match, you’ll be contrasting the nut’s creamy flavor with the wine’s bright, refreshing fruit.

Walnuts
Walnuts mesh well with dried fruit flavors (think figs, apricots and raisins), so it’s no surprise that the nut will go beautifully with little glasses of tawny port – a wine that’s rife with the aromas and tastes of dried fruits and nuts. Though it’s often served as a dessert wine, tawny port also makes an inviting aperitif when lightly chilled.

There are, or course, more nuts out there to pair with wine. If you have a pairing suggestion, let me know.

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