“Wine goes with chili” said who? Did you think that chili only tastes well with beer? Think again! Chili is not only for those game nights that you want to kick off those shoes, sit back, relax, and watch the Sunday game. Wine goes very well with chili as well, creating a delicious balance between the tannins and the hearty dish. Here’s an easy guide to what kinds of wines would complement your chili bowl.

Chili is one of those delicious slow-cooked dishes you look for when autumn hits. Its warm, spicy and hearty characteristics are perfect for an afternoon of watching television or a nice dinner with the family. Chili has pretty strong tasting notes because of the many spices in it like cumin, chili powder, paprika and cayenne. It is stewed in tomato sauce with the beans and the meat, making it a little heavy.

To think of what wine to pair with chili could be daunting because of the many flavors of chili you have to consider. Some people would just give up and say they’ll have a soda or beer. If you’re a wine lover, we’ve got the answers for you.

If you’re having chili in the summer, we’re not judging by the way, cravings are cravings; you can opt to pair your chili with white wine. However, if you’re having your chili in the colder seasons, chili and red wine were perfectly made well for each other.

Here’s a list of wines that go well with chili.

1. Malbec

This full-bodied red wine has nice earthy tones, which bring out the best in chili. If you pair it with chili, you’ll discover more notes of it as you go. It has plum and other fruity notes with hints of smokiness. These characteristics are great with chili.

2. Shiraz

Shiraz has fruity notes and good tannin content. These two factors already make it a good pair for chili. The slight sweetness from the fruit notes balances the robust flavors of the chili. The tomatoes and the meat will shine most in this dish when you have it with shiraz.

3. Tempranillo

Tempranillo is a full-bodied wine. It pairs best with spicy and hot dishes and ding ding ding, we have chili! It enhances the flavor of the chili and brings out the flavor of the meat so well, making the entire dish bloom in your mouth when paired with each other. Tempranillo often has the smokey notes and aroma of tobacco so you see why it’s a good match.

4. Cabernet Sauvignon

A cabernet sauvignon with dark berry notes, earthy tones and undertones of slight spice goes so well with chili. It has a polished taste, which balances the spice and the heaviness of the meat. It enhances the flavor of the meat and the beans, making it one of the better pairings with chili.

5. Riesling

If you’re a white wine fan, dry Riesling would be your best bet with chili. Riesling typically has a lingering sweetness to it that isn’t overpowering. That sweetness balances the saltiness and spice of the chili.

6. Cava

Chili has that hearty flavor and kick of spice – that’s why we love it. To balance the flavors of chili in our mouths, a good sparkling wine would pair well with the dish. Cava is the equivalent of Champagne in the Iberian region and it is perfect for chili. The bubbles cut through the spice of the dish and bring out the best in the tomato.

7. Rosé

You didn’t think rosé would make the list for wines that pair with chili, did you? Rosé is often associated with the summer season, balmy afternoons with cold cuts and cheeses. We’ve got news for you. If you have that bottle of rosé in your pantry during winter, go ahead and have it with your chili. Rosé pairs well with meats, if you didn’t know. It’s delicious with red sauce as well. It’s the in-between for whites and reds and both these wines are good with chili.

Fuller-bodied rosé wines match well with barbecues or food with spice. Chili fits the description of a little heavy, a little spicy and a little hearty. Don’t be apprehensive and open that bottles of rosé to have with your chili.