How to Pair Wine with Takeout (Because You Deserve Better Than Water with Your Pad Thai)

Let’s be honest—some nights, the stove just isn’t happening. You’re in your sweats, the delivery driver is en route, and all that’s left is figuring out which bottle to pop. Good news: wine and takeout are a match made in comfort food heaven. Whether you’re crushing sushi rolls or digging into spicy noodles, there’s a wine that makes the whole thing feel like a five-star situation (minus the dishes). Here are five iconic takeout types and the wines that love them.

🍕 Pizza + Chianti or Lambrusco
You could drink anything with pizza and probably still be happy, but a medium-bodied Chianti makes each bite feel like a rustic Italian trattoria moment. The acidity cuts through gooey cheese and handles tomato sauce like a pro. Want to have even more fun? A lightly sparkling Lambrusco is criminally underrated and ridiculously good with pepperoni or sausage. Fizzy red with greasy carbs? Chef’s kiss.

🍣 Sushi + Dry Riesling or Brut Bubbly
Sushi is delicate but salty, a little sweet, maybe even a little spicy—so go for a dry Riesling or even a Brut Champagne if you’re feeling fancy. Riesling’s acidity complements soy sauce and tempura like it was born to, and bubbles clean your palate between bites. Plus, popping a bottle of bubbly for a sushi night at home just feels like self-care on a whole new level.

🌮 Tacos + Zinfandel or Albariño
If it’s taco night, think bold but friendly. A juicy Zinfandel plays nice with smoky meats like barbacoa or carnitas, while a chilled Albariño hits the spot for anything with shrimp or limey salsa. Skip the margarita for once—this is the wine pairing you didn’t know you needed. Bonus points if you’re eating out of foil and still drinking out of stemware.

🍜 Thai Food + Gewürztraminer or Rosé
Spicy Thai food and sweet-ish wine? Game changer. Gewürztraminer has enough floral sweetness to tame the heat of curry or drunken noodles without making your mouth feel like a sugar bomb. If that sounds too out there, go for a dry rosé—it’s versatile, refreshing, and goes with pad Thai better than anything you’ve tried from your fridge this week.

🍔 Burgers + Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah
Yes, burgers and Cab. It’s not just a steak wine—Cabernet Sauvignon brings those deep, dark fruit vibes that make cheeseburgers taste gourmet. Got bacon involved? Syrah’s your move. It has a smoky, peppery thing going on that turns drive-thru food into a whole moment. Don’t forget the fries—you’ll want them for “cleansing your palate,” obviously.

So next time you’re scrolling DoorDash instead of meal prepping, grab a bottle that makes the whole night feel intentional. At Boone’s, we’ve got the perfect bottle for every takeout order—and zero judgment if you’re pairing it with a paper plate.