Pairing wines with beloved cupcakes easy as pie

I am asked many questions about wine — you name it, I’ve most likely been asked about it. But recently I received a rather interesting, if not a little odd, food and wine pairing question, one for which I really enjoyed researching and exploring the answer. Who wouldn’t? It involved cupcakes!

A friend recently texted about her lifelong love and slight obsession with cupcakes. (Most of us agree.) Cupcakes are perfect, she said, (I’m paraphrasing) because one is the ideal size and they’re available in any flavor imaginable. (Again, I think most of us agree.) Her question was, have you ever thought about what wines would pair best with cupcakes?

Over the last several weeks I have tasted a few, baked a few and went back to some old cake pairing notes to come up with this easy reference list. One last part of her question was “and can you just tell me value wines. Not looking to splurge.” This week’s recommendations will just be a value.

This food and wine exploration will brighten anyone’s week.

For cupcake flavors not listed here, sparkling and Riesling are good options.

VANILLA AND CHOCOLATE/ SPARKLING

NV Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs, California (about $20) NV Toso Sparkling, Argentina (about $12)

NV Freixenet Cuvee Cava, Spain (about $13) BANANA/CHARDONNAY 2018 Sean Minor Four Bears Chardonnay, California (about $12)

2018 Cellar No. 8 Chardonnay, California (about $9)

2018 Edna Valley Paragon Chardonnay, California (about $13)

2018 Leese-Fitch California Chardonnay, California (about $11) LEMON SAUVIGNON/BLANC 2018 Bonterra Sauvignon

Blanc, California (about $14)

2018 Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand (about $12)

2018 Bell Sauvignon Blanc Lake County, California (about $15) 2018 Franciscan Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, California (about $16)

SALTED CARAMEL/ PINOT GRIGIO

2018 Kris Pinot Grigio, California (about $12)

2018 14 Hands Pinot Grigio, Washington (about $11)

2018 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, Italy (about $12) 2018 Estancia Pinot Grigio, California (about $12)

ALMOND AND PEANUT BUTTER/RIESLING

2018 Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Washington (about $15)

2018 Rudi Wiest Riesling, Germany (about $12)

2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, Washington (about $13) 2018 Schmitt Sohne Relax Riesling, Germany (about $12)