Olympics and Wine: Gold Medal Pairings

Let the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics begin! Events start July 26 and will continue until August 11. Whether you’re watching the games live or watching replays any chance you get, there’s something you need with each event: a refreshing beverage that pairs perfectly with your chosen sport. Don’t worry, we won’t include any spoilers in case you are trying hard to avoid all Olympics news until you can watch them yourself. Turn up the volume, cheer on your favorite team, and take a look at our suggested pairings to join you on your Olympic journey. GENERAL Champagne – I mean…it seems obvious, right? If you’re going to drink one thing to celebrate this year’s Olympics, Champagne should be your beverage of choice! ARCHERY/SHOOTING Rheinhessen Riesling – Two sports that require intense focus and accuracy need a wine with, as Delectable user Lee describes the 2011 Weingut Keller, “laser-like precision”. Don’t lose focus while watching unless you are reaching for your glass of Rheinhessen Riesling. ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS/RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS Napa Valley Chardonnay – From floor to vault, gymnasts are looking for that perfect blend of power and energy. From bars to balance beam to pommel horse, gymnasts have to watch out for deductions with every detail. It goes without saying that they definitely need balance. A Napa Valley Chardonnay that is bold and full of energy will work wonders here. ARTISTIC SWIMMING Pét-Nat Rosé – A sport that requires immense amounts of creativity needs a dreamy wine that you’d also want while sitting by a pool. A multi-dimensional sport calls for a multi-dimensional wine such as Pét-Nat Rosé. ATHLETICS Brut Champagne Blend – Athletics is the broad category for track, field and road events. To cover all the events, you need a wine with lots of vibrancy. Nothing like the energy of bubbles to get you through multiple events. Make sure all the bottles of Brut Champagne Blend are chilling as you watch. BADMINTON/TABLE TENNIS/TENNIS Dolcetto d'Alba – If you’re watching all three of these events, then you’re going to need some snacks in-between. What about a table wine (come on, perfect for table tennis) that pairs well with food passed around the room. We think you should give Dolcetto d'Alba a try. 3X3 BASKETBALL/BASKETBALL Sonoma Red Blend – A sport that we are all familiar with should be paired with a wine most are also familiar with. A game focused on running up and down the court, we think you should pop a bottle that matches the energy of constantly scanning across the court. Choose a wine that offers a bit of back and forth, such as a Sonoma Red Blend. BEACH VOLLEYBALL Finger Lakes Sauvignon Blanc – Is it too obvious to pair beach volleyball with a beach wine? What about a wine with hints of sand? Before you get nervous, the wine itself doesn’t taste like sand, but as user, Severn points out on a 2017 Field Sauvignon Blanc Blend, “Nose has wet lemon slice, cold lavender, lemon grass freshly chopped, white/yellow flowers, honeydew melon and dry beach sand.” The smell of the sand may make you feel like you’re watching the sport in person! BMX FREESTYLE/ BMX RACING Bandol Mourvedre Blend – From the creativity of freestyling to the exciting racing finish, you’ll need a wine to match. A Bandol Mourvedre should be the right combo for these BMX events. Get your bike ready because you’ll want to try out all these exciting tricks. BOXING Mosel Spätburgunder – What’s better to drink while watching boxing than a wine that packs a punch? A Mosel Spätburgunder offers the depth you’ll need to anxiously sit through your favorite match. BREAKING Rioja Tempranillo – The ultimate dance battle. If our 10-year-old selves knew Breaking would be in the 2024 Olympics, we would have practiced those dance battles in our heads a little bit more. Breaking involves combining power moves and interesting/impressive improvisation to the beat of the DJ’s music. For a bold sport with complex moves, you need a wine to match. And Rioja Tempranillo is a great choice. CANOEING/KAYAKING Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend – These events are all about strategy and navigation. While watching the athletes on screen navigate the waters, you should grab a wine that you’ll have to find your way through the palate. A Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend should present the best challenge. Pick a wine that keeps you on your toes. DIVING Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend – You won’t be diving into the pool alongside these athletes, but you can take a deep dive into the depths of this wine. Pick up a bottle of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend and take notes as you dive in. EQUESTRIAN Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay – Just how the rider and the horse need to be a perfect pair to win gold, we’re recommending a wine that would join them on the podium. The rider and the horse must be in sync and complete harmony during their routines, so why not open a bottle of Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay that creates harmony within the glass? FENCING Vouvray Chenin Blanc – Does anyone else immediately think of Lindsay Lohan fencing against herself in The Parent Trap? Just us? While that movie gave us the iconic peanut butter and Oreo pairing, we’re here to bring you a fencing and wine pairing. We recommend a striking wine to match the sword strikes. How about a Vouvray Chenin Blanc? Pour a glass and watch out for those swords. FOOTBALL White Bordeaux Blend – For all of our US drinkers out there, we’re talking about soccer. Football is without a doubt a team sport, so you should probably pick a wine where all the elements work as a team to bring you an event in a glass. We’re pairing football with a White Bordeaux Blend. Cheer on your team and the team in the glass! GOLF Chablis Chardonnay – Contrasting football above, we find ourselves on a more individual focused event: golf. If you were outside in the heat all day, what would you want to drink? Something refreshing that won’t distract from your focus. We think you should give a Chablis Chardonnay a try. HANDBALL Magnum Format – A team sport played on the largest indoor court at the Olympics, Handball should be paired with a larger-than-life wine. What better fits this than a wine served from magnum? Get together with friends, pull a magnum from the cellar, and get ready for handball. HOCKEY Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Remember, this is the summer Olympics so we’re talking field hockey not ice hockey. A team sport that requires high stamina deserves a wine with the stamina to match. How about a Napa Cab? JUDO Skin Contact Wine – A full-combat sport, the goal of Judo is to take your opponent to the ground. This sport first debuted at the Olympics in Tokyo 1964. Is it too on the nose to match a skin-contact wine with a skin-contact sport? We did it anyway! KARATE 2020 Vintage – Karate made its first Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020. This martial art focuses on striking, punching, and kicking. Since it is one of the newer sports added to the event lineup, we think you should drink a young wine (2023 vintage) to celebrate the occasion! MODERN PENTATHLON/TRIALTHLON Languedoc Red – Swimming, fencing, horse riding, pistol shooting and running make up the Modern Pentathlon, while the Triathlon consists of biking, swimming, and running. What drink do you pair with sports that are actually so many events in one? You’ll need a complex wine for these complex games. Pick up a bottle of Languedoc Red and enjoy the journey. MOUNTAIN BIKE/ROAD CYCLNG/TRACK CYCLING Natural Wine – Whether they’re cycling in the mountains, out on the roads, or on a track, these Olympic cyclists are going so fast it must feel like they are in a windstorm. Since two out of the three are cycling through nature, what’s better to pair with these events than a natural wine? You’ll want something a little earthy, a little fruity, and maybe a little funky. ROWING/SAILING Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese – Sports that rely heavily on weather and its constantly changing conditions need to be paired with a wine that isn’t stagnant and always evolving. Give an Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese a try and let us know how its conditions change over the course of a few hours or even days! RUGBY Saumur Cabernet Franc – An intense sport like rugby needs an equally thrilling wine. How about a Saumur Cabernet Franc? Delectable user Erik had a 2018 Château De Fosse-Seche Eolithe Saumur Cabernet Franc and shares, “Whew! What a thrilling ride!” You’ll probably say the same after drinking a glass and watching rugby. SKATEBOARDING Porto Port Blend – Another newer Olympic sport! We’re relying on Delectable user, David for this recommendation. David says about the 2011 Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Porto Port Blend, “Grapes and raisins, cassis berry, skateboard bushing and candied violets inform an incredibly soft nose.” Don’t think we need to explain further. Pick up some Port and buy yourself a skateboard. SPORT CLIMBING Marsannay Pinot Noir – The amount of grip strength these athletes need is incredible. You might be wondering what pairs best with a sport such as this. How about a wine with a strong tannic grip? We recommend a Marsannay Pinot Noir. SURFING IPA – And we’re on to another water sport! Any sport related to the beach makes us wish we were at the beach ourselves. So why not pair surfing with a beverage that makes us feel as if we are there? Grab yourself an IPA and maybe put on some sunglasses for the full effect. SWIMMING Rosé Cava Blend – If there is one word to describe swimmers, it’s fast. Not only do the swimmers themselves need to be fast as lightening to win, the event itself is over almost as soon as it begins. You’ll need a wine that goes down easy and that you can finish in time for the medal ceremony. What about a Rosé Cava Blend? TAEKWONDO Loire Chenin Blanc – Taekwondo offers us another combat sport with kicks and punches abound. We think you should pop a bottle that offers a surprising kick as well. Try fighting a Loire Chenin Blanc and let us know who wins! TRAMPOLINE GYMNASTICS Beaujolais Gamay – Trampoline gymnasts amaze viewers with a variety of twists, flips, and bounces. You’ll need a wine whose flavors jump out at you just like the gymnasts jump on the trampoline. We think you should give a Beaujolais Gamay a try! VOLLEYBALL Spätlese Riesling – As you watch the players spike the ball across the net, why not drink a wine that offers a nice spike of acidity? Maybe a wine of this sort will help you stay awake after watching hours and hours of Olympic sports. Pour a glass of Spätlese Riesling and enjoy! WATER POLO Anderson Valley Pinot Noir – Water Polo involves treading water, swimming, and trying to throw a ball into a goal without touching the ground. Quite a spectacular event that is the only ball sport played in a pool. While the athletes are doing much more than floating in a pool, we think you should pair this water sport with a wine that floats in your mouth. Maybe a bottle of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir? WEIGHTLIFTING Trousseau – Besides watching with your mouth agape thoroughly impressed with how much these athletes can lift, we think you should drink some Trousseau. A wine that has a nice lift to it goes well with admiring the strength of these athletes. WRESTLING Napa Valley Merlot – We’ve done it. We’ve made it to the final event on the list! You should celebrate with a big meal and a large bottle of wine. For our steak lovers out there, why not try a wine that is big enough to wrestle a steak and potatoes dinner? Turn on the tv and pour a glass of Napa Valley Merlot.

Pol Roger

Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne 2002

Crisp, toasty, rich and lingering. Its light pale color belies the aged power within. Fragrant and zesty. This is a great one and in prime drinking territory. — 3 months ago

Ira, Tom and 15 others liked this

Commanderie de la Bargemone

Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Grenache Blend 2020

Opening ceremony Olympics with mom! — 3 years ago

Sharon liked this

Weingut Keller

Abts E de Riesling 2011

Pulsating with energy and ripping acidity. But thanks to an elegant backbone it never gets too much, and its laser-like precision keeps everything in harmony, leading to a long mouthwatering finale. — 3 years ago

Jan, MICHAEL and 6 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

Severn Goodwin Influencer Badge Premium Badge

👍👍👍

Weingut Keller

Troken Rheinhessen Riesling 2018

Pineapple, green papaya, white flowers and almost chalky minerality. Smells tender and lifted...followed by a 100-watt jolt to the palate. Beyond tense, and still the planet’s gold standard for affordable Riesling Trocken. — 6 years ago

Ira liked this

Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017

I haven’t had a lot of experience with Napa Valley Chardonnay but this was most enjoyable. Rich and mouth filling, creamy. Stone fruit and almonds. Barb said white flowers on the nose. Apparently this was picked early and malolactic fermentation was blocked. Oak influence is totally integrated - balanced. I paid $147 AUD in Brisbane in September 2021. A lot dearer than what you might pay in the States I would guess. — 7 months ago

Dawn, Pooneet and 25 others liked this
Byron Hewett

Byron Hewett Premium Badge

US$50-75 here
John Van Trijp

John Van Trijp Premium Badge

@Bob McDonald THE winner of the Paris Tasting
David T

David T Influencer Badge

It is those Aussie US import-export fees. We were going to ship some Standish back to the States from the property and when Standish called us and said the shipping/import fees were are much as the three bottles, we passed. They’re not that had to find here.

Agricolae

Field Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2017

Nose has wet lemon slice, cold lavender, lemon grass freshly chopped, white/yellow flowers, honeydew melon and dry beach sand.

Palate has green melon / white flower mash-up, fresh lemon zest, lavender leaves, slight spice (Gewürztraminer-like) notes, medium finish...very refreshing! Great Effort, 💕❤️Ravines!

Unsure of the exact blend percentages but Morten notes it is a dry blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris & 6% Muscat Ottonel. Fully killing a value wine play at $14.40 per bottle for Wine Club members! Sign up and enjoy. (I get no benefit endorsements, trust me...Probably detrimental to us; as popularity gains so will pricing...but a rising tide lifts all boats, right?)
— 3 years ago

Hugh, Daniel P. and 23 others liked this
Dawn E.

Dawn E.

@Severn Goodwin Sounds delicious!
Angelo Casagrande

Angelo Casagrande

Thanks. I definitely will!

Bruno Giacosa

Dolcetto d'Alba 2019

super high quality Dolcetto. one of my fav producers in Piemonte despite some fall off in Barolo quality over the years. — 8 months ago

Ira and John liked this

Cave Saint Cyr

Pet Nat Beaujolais Gamay Rosé

Love the photo I took because I got my pet and the pet nat in the same shot. How artistic of me! Speaking of artistic, this wine is. Wonderful pink coral color with hints of red on the edges. Lovely bubbles and a perfectly fuzzy mouthfeel. Paints the palate with unripened strawberries and watermelon rind. Long finish. Hard to put down. — 2 years ago

Jillian Varner
with Jillian

Château de Fosse-Seche

Eolithe Saumur Cabernet Franc

Whew! What a thrilling ride! — 4 years ago

Josh, Tom and 3 others liked this
Josh Morgenthau

Josh Morgenthau Influencer Badge

Awesome. 18 is a great vintage for Loire cab franc!
Erik Longabardi

Erik Longabardi

@Josh Morgenthau this wine is stunning now. And will buy more to hold onto. Balanced and focused

Jones Family Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Magnums and the Olympics....go big or go home. — 7 years ago

David and Brian liked this