We’re thrilled to share a special guest blog by Justine Sterling, the eldest grandchild of Iron Horse co-founders Audrey and Barry Sterling. Justine is the editor-in-chief of Sporked and has spent over a decade writing about food and drinks. She’s also an enthusiastic home cook and dedicated snacker. But don’t worry—she’s not a food snob! Sure, she enjoys a great glass of bubbly, but she’s all about having fun with food and wine. In case you haven’t heard, Sporked.com is an awesome online source for food rankings, product reviews, and culinary commentary. It launched in March 2022 thanks to the creative team behind Good Mythical Morning with Rhett & Link.
We asked Justine to share her favorite easy snacks to serve with sparkling wine, with the theme of Come Over October in mind.
Iron Horse is excited to be part of this global campaign that encourages friends, family, and colleagues to gather, share wine, and celebrate togetherness. It’s the perfect reason to enjoy each other’s company over a glass of wine.
We’re passionate about the way wine brings people together—its rich cultural, historical, and agricultural roots create magic in every glass. So, invite someone over for a sip of Iron Horse and a delicious snack or two, snap a pic, and share it with the hashtag #comeoveroctober and tag us at @ironhorsevyds. Cheers to gathering and good times.
You don’t need a reason to invite people over. All you need is a free evening. And some wine. And some friends. But if you insist on having a formal occasion, then Come on Over October is your go-to reason to pop open a bottle or two this month.
But whatever shall you serve? We have some ideas for delightfully autumnal nibbles that all pair perfectly with some bubbly (we’re looking at a chilled bottle of Iron Horse Harvest Moon right now). Here are seven (extremely easy to make or buy) fall snacks to enjoy with some bubbles.
Apple Slices with Aged Cheddar Cheese
Apple slices and cheddar—a classic combo. But it’s more than just a quick bite. If you get some really great aged cheddar (we’re talking about the stuff with those crunchy crystals of flavor) and a truly crisp-tart green apple or even a red apple, then you’re in for a fall snack that really hits every flavor receptor on your tongue. Pair with a sparkling that offers a touch of honeyed sweetness, like Iron Horse Russian River Cuvée.
Rosemary Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
You’re going to carve a pumpkin in October. It’s practically the law. But be sure not to toss those pumpkin guts when you do. Clean the seeds, then roast them with sea salt and rosemary or a crunchy fall snack. (Alternatively, you can also buy some pre-packaged salted pumpkin seeds, toss them with rosemary, and warm them briefly in the oven.) Pair with a crisp, lemony sparkling like Iron Horse Blanc de Blancs,
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Balls
Cheesy. Earthy. Squashy. Crunchy. Creamy. Butternut squash mac and cheese balls are some of fall’s best appetizers. And you don’t have to make them yourself. You can buy them frozen from places like Trader Joe’s. Pair these decadent bites with an ultra-dry sparkling like Iron Horse Brut X. One sip will instantly refresh your palate so you can go back in for more.
Kettle Corn
Popcorn is the classically easy snack to serve with sparkling wine. But, seriously, if you’re still watching movies with popcorn and soda, you’re doing it wrong. Popcorn demands sparkling wine. But in the fall, you can throw some sweetness into the mix with kettle corn. The fall festival favorite is salty, sweet, buttery, and crunchy—and it tastes great with a dry, toasty glass of sparkling wine. We’re thinking Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut. And if you really want to be super autumnal about it, try maple kettle corn.
French Onion Dip and Sweet Potato Chips
Caramelized onion is an underrated fall flavor. It’s not all pumpkins and spice! Super savory French onion dip is a wonderfully easy snack to serve with sparkling wine —whether you make it from scratch with actual caramelized onions or just stir some powdered mix into sour cream. Give the dip experience an autumnal upgrade by pairing it with sweet potato chips instead of the usual potato chips. And pair it all with an elegant, creamy, refined sparkling like Iron Horse Brut LD.
Sagey Chex Mix
Homemade Chex Mix is an all-star party snack (the secret is to double all the butter and seasonings so you get an extra flavorful snack mix). Add some crispy, fried sage and you’ve got yourself a fall snack that will truly impress. Try pairing the extremely savory, umami-packed mix with Iron Horse Wedding Cuvée. The bubbles of this fruit-forward sparkling will elevate the earthy flavors of the autumnal Chex Mix.
Reese’s Pumpkin
Reese’s Pumpkins are the best Reese’s shape—they have the optimal ratio of peanut butter filling to chocolate coating. And fall is Reese’s Pumpkin season. Don’t hold back. Pair your pile of Reese’s Pumpkins with a magnum of Iron Horse Joy! It’s so toasty, so rich, so cozy (yes, sparkling wines can be cozy), and the bright acidity will help cut through the sweetness of the chocolate treat.