Gentle Guide ➺ Quick Snacking
Low-Effort Heroes
The best accompaniment to a bottle of wine isn’t always a beautifully considered meal. Sometimes it’s a bag of chips ripped open on the kitchen bench, or olives straight from the fridge, or whatever good thing you forgot was hiding in the pantry. Here’s to the low-effort snacking—and what to open alongside it.
OLIVES
Olives can completely change what’s in your glass. All that salt and brine takes sharp, savoury edges and makes the fruit feel softer and fuller. Bordiga’s Extra Dry Vermouth has plenty to meet them with: fennel, sage, citrus, absinthe and a distinctly savoury streak of its own. Add ice, olives within reach. Aperitivo achieved.
CHIPS
Famous last words: “I’ll just have one.” Salt and fat have a habit of keeping you reaching back into the bag, while something cold, dry and high in acid resets the palate so you can do it all over again. Astobiza Rosé is made for the cycle—strawberries and blossom up front, then a bright hit of lemon and a long, dry finish. Sip, crunch, repeat.
DOLMADES
Outside-the-box snacks call for something equally interesting in the glass. Dolmades bring pickle, herbs and plenty of tang, so they’re happiest with a wine that has acidity, texture and a green, savoury edge. Sierra Reed’s Lessons Semillon is vivid and supple with enough character to get amongst it. Sundowners in Santorini last summer, or yesterday arvo at yiayia’s house. Plastic-wrapped furniture not included.
