What Wine for Nat'l Fried Chicken Day?

July 6th is National Fried Chicken Day! It's probably the most American food after burgers and hot dogs. History says Scottish immigrants brought the method of frying chicken to the South.

More importantly, what wine with fried chicken?

Generally, when people think of wine with chicken they think Chardonnay, but that's boring. Fried chicken is a bit greasy and salty -- that's why it's so good. This sounds like a great match for a sparking wine. We're talking fried chicken so don't spend a lot of money on your bubbly, but for heaven's sake don't get the bulk-processed $5 stuff. Ugh, that junk is just nasty. At least go with Korbel or better yet the Roederer $20 Anderson Valley Brut -- it's a steal.

Oh yeah, with mashed potatoes, peas, and biscuits please
Image from foodgal.com

Another good choice is an off-dry Riesling. Back to Anderson Valley for Navarro's Riesling at less than $20.

If you'd like a beer with your fried chicken I'd go with a lighter, maybe malty, style of beer. A wheat beer or a good American lager. No, not Budweiser, I said a good lager.  

Where to get your fried chicken? If KFC is your only choice, well, so be it. If you live in the South you'll have a much better chance of finding a good chicken dinner. The best chicken in my neighborhood is probably the rotisserie chicken from the Rutherford Grill in Napa Valley, but that's not the same as fried. In Sonoma County you can try the Fremont Diner or Sweet T's for real fried chicken

BTW, July 7th is Strawberry Sundae Day. Fried chicken followed by a strawberry sundae for dessert would be a pretty good dinner!