Magical Pairings: Wines Inspired by the Harry Potter Houses

If you thought I wasn’t going to mix my love for Harry Potter with my passion for wine, you thought wrong! Sometimes when I come up with wine and food pairings, wine and personality matches also come to mind. Each of the four Hogwarts houses are so unique, so I thought it would be fun to come up with wine pairings for them.

Gryffindor

Gryffindors are bold and courageous, so you might think that a bold wine would pair well with their personality. I think otherwise. Gryffindors can be a little arrogant at times, so I think a wine that balances that out is a perfect match for them. Don’t get me wrong, they’re definitely a red wine, but maybe not a bold red wine. For Gryffindor, I’d have to go with Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is a versatile wine that pairs with almost anything, but it adds an excellent balance to any meal or personality in this case. Just like Gryffindor, Pinot Noir is a true classic.

Slytherin

Slytherins are ambitious, outspoken, and impressively sneaky. They are for sure a red wine, but the question is which one. Unlike Gryffindor, Slytherins are going to be a bold red wine. They are a red wine that you wouldn’t typically gravitate towards on a daily basis and something that you wouldn’t expect you would like. I decided to pair Syrah with Slytherin because not all Syrahs are good (in my opinion), but the ones that are good unexpectedly grow on you. Sort of like how not all Slytherins are evil, but there are a few that are. Fun fact: I am a Slytherin!

Ravenclaw

Ravenclaws are the smart ones. They’re critical thinkers and are always looking at both sides of the story. However, they are more book-smart than they are street-smart. A wine that requires a lot of thought into what its flavors and aromas are would be perfect for Ravenclaw. I’d say Ravenclaw might really enjoy a quality Fumé Blanc. If you have ever blind tasted Fumé Blanc, you know it’s kind of hard to guess what it is. I’ve definitely mistaken it for unoaked and oaked Chardonnay and Viognier. If you didn’t already know, Fumé Blanc is actually oaked Sauvignon Blanc. To be honest, Ravenclaws would probably make excellent sommeliers.

Hufflepuff

Hufflepuffs are incredibly loyal and can be hilarious. They also seem to enjoy the little things life has to offer such as great food! A versatile wine that matches well with Hufflepuff is one that highlights all of their good qualities. I have always imagined Hufflepuff as a white wine, possibly because one of their house colors is yellow and they have bright personalities. I’m thinking something that is pale yellow in the glass such as Chardonnay. Chardonnay is pretty versatile (both unoaked or oaked) and pairs well with a variety of poultry, fish, and light vegetables. The good thing about Chardonnay is that it can be enjoyed in all seasons.

Comment down below what Hogwarts house you’re in. Don’t know? Take the Wizarding World quiz!