As the excitement of football season energizes Miami this September, tailgating becomes a regular weekend activity for fans of our Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes. While the casual nature of this weekly event usually means beer reigns supreme at these gatherings, why not elevate your game-day experience with carefully selected wines? From crisp whites to robust reds, we've put together the ultimate guide to enhance your tailgating festivities with a touch of sophistication. Break out the wine glasses and enjoy each touchdown toast with these game-changing wines.
THE RED ZONE
(Courtesy of Winebow)
Lini 910 produces some of the most iconic Italian Lambrusco.
The Hurricanes play Florida A&M on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m., so let’s kick off the start of football season with some bubbles, though not the kind you may be used to. How about a bottle of Lini 910 Labrusca Rosso? This is a distinctive sparkling red wine from the Italian region of Emilia Romagna. Lini 910 is a fourth-generation family-owned and operated winery founded in 1910 producing iconic Lambruscos. These sparkling red wines are renowned for their fresh, dry characteristic. Featuring big, bright red fruit berry flavors, classic minerality, and a clean finish, Lambrusco is a versatile wine for pairing with many diverse dishes, from Italian cuisine to all-American favorites. If your tailgate feast includes hamburgers and barbecue pork on the grill, it’s the perfect time to pour a glass of chilled Lini 910 Labrusca Rosso.
$17.99 at Total Wine
THREE-POINT CONVERSION
On Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars face off, and early games call for bottles that offer the ultimate refreshment. Try one of Gérard Bertrand’s new cloudy Trouble xp wines. There are three different styles, white, red, and rosé. All are unfiltered, so they have a cloudy look and velvety texture that makes these bottles unique, but it’s the fruit that shines in the Trouble wines. Each one is fresh and clean.
(gerard-bertrand.shop)
Trouble XP wines by Gérard Bertrand are organic/NOP, vegan, and unfiltered.
The white wine is a blend of chardonnay, grenache blanc, and viognier, and it is full of tropical fruit flavors, including pineapple and mango, as well as the citrus flavors of lime and grapefruit. A perfect addition to a hot September afternoon tailgate, this bottle may smell like a tropical smoothie, but these wines are all dry, meaning no sweetness, just delicious fruit flavors.
The rosé is a blend of syrah and grenache and has delicate floral notes with flavors of ripe strawberries and peaches. Grenache and syrah take center stage in the red, which is structured and elegant with delightful red and black fruit on the palate. This is the ultimate chilled red and can easily be a season staple at all tailgates.
(Courtesy of Beronia)
Beronia Reserva is made from the best grapes from the oldest tempranillo vines, plus a little graciano and mazuelo.
$24.99 each at Whole Foods
NOSE TACKLE
It’s sunny Miami versus chilly Buffalo on Thursday night, Sept. 12, when the Dolphins play the Bills. For this later game, we’ll need a more serious dinner wine for the steaks and veggies on the grill. Let’s consider the Beronia Reserva 2018 tempranillo from Rioja, Spain. Reserva wines spend more time in oak, at least 18 months in mixed French and American oak barrels distinguishes this classic Beronia style. The extended aging gives the wine more complexity and richness, as well as flavors of baking spices and coconut.
On the nose, this wine displays rich aromas of dark fruits such as plum, along with nutty characteristics, spices, and a touch of chocolate. Beronia Reserva is full-bodied and flavorful with concentrated fruit flavors and grippy tannins that pair perfectly with smoked meats and hard cheeses at a pre-game dinner tailgate.
$18.53 at MrDWine.com
ICING THE KICKER
You’ll want to rosé all day on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 14, when the Hurricanes take on Ball State. Rumor Rosé will enhance any game day experience during football season, and this refreshing rosé from Provence delivers delicate strawberry, peach, and citrus flavors, perfect for sipping under the hot afternoon sun. A fresh and crisp profile makes it an ideal companion for lighter tailgate fare, such as pasta salads, grilled chicken, and seafood. The elegant, sophisticated bottle design also adds a touch of style to your tailgate setup. With vibrant acidity and a clean, fruity finish, Rumor Rosé ensures an enjoyable and elevated game day experience as you relish the afternoon excitement with friends and fellow fans.
$19.98 at Finding.wine
GRILL GOALS
(Courtesy of Planeta)
This white wine is perfect as a fresh aperitif and ideal with fried vegetables, fish, pasta with seafood, or mozzarella.
When the Hurricanes play Virginia Tech on Friday, Sept. 27, it's time to get the meat back on the parrilla for this night game, and Catena Malbec is a fantastic choice for tailgate parties. This Argentine favorite offers a robust profile with rich flavors of dark fruits, plum, and a hint of spice, making it a perfect match for grilled meats and other classic tailgate fare. Smooth tannins and balanced acidity ensure it’s enjoyable on its own or paired with a variety of dishes. Plus, Catena Malbec's approachable price point allows you to impress your friends with quality wine without breaking the bank. As you cheer on our Miami Hurricanes to victory, raise a glass of Catena Malbec and savor the game night culinary experience.
$15.97 at Total Wine
TOUCHDOWN
Planeta’s La Segreta Grillo, 2021 from Sicily, is a terrific choice on Monday, Sept. 30, before the Dolphins play the Tennessee Titans, especially if seafood is on the menu. This Sicilian white wine boasts bright notes of citrus, pear, and a hint of Mediterranean herbs, making it an excellent match for grilled shrimp, oysters, ceviche, and other seafood dishes. The crisp acidity and refreshing minerality of La Segreta Grillo enhances the flavors of the sea, and its balanced profile ensures it pairs well with the lively atmosphere of a nighttime tailgate, adding a touch of Sicilian charm to the evening’s festivities.
$14.99 at Total Wine
Jacqueline Coleman is a wine and travel writer and Star Wine List’s ambassador in Miami. She is also a contributor to Luxury Guide USA magazine, a co-editor of WineGuideMiami. com and a regular guest host on Linda Gassenheimer’s “Food, News & Views” podcast.