The White House and the Clemson Tigers - Wine Pairings & Fast Food

In January 2019, the Clemson Tigers football team was invited to the White House. President Trump personally claimed to have ‘paid with his own money’ for an incredible fast food buffet, using the Lincoln Gravy Boats for dipping sauces. Personally, I’m a little upset there was no wine to be paired with the buffet. Here’s what I think what kinds of drinks one should pair with their favorite fast foods.

McDonald’s Big Mac – The Big Mac should be paired with a California Cabernet Sauvignon, clearly. Its delicate and intricate flavors require something a little on the fruity side, but not overbearing. The trick is to wash down that secret sauce with a big gulp of a powerful full-bodied Red.

Burger King’s Whopper – Burger King’s Whopper is undoubtedly more meat based and less of an in-your-face McDonald’s attitude. The Whopper is recommended to be paired with a nice medium-bodied Merlot. Another pairing could be an Italian Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. These two wines really open your pores to maximize that juicy beef patty’s peppery taste. This meal truly is fit for a king.

McDonald’s The McChicken – The McChicken is a meal designed for one with a complex palette. It may seem simple, but its lettuce, mayonnaise, and chicken patty are a formidable combination. For this elegant sandwich, we must turn to Whites. A Sauvignon Blanc typically pairs with poultry. Its simplicity must be paired with an herbal flavored White; In our case, a Sauvignon Blanc’s strong acid finish is irresistible with the McChicken.

Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich – Again, cleanse your palette and thoughts. Now, we move toward a clean Chardonnay. This sandwich throws in honey mustard to sweeten the flavor, so you’d want to try a rich and buttery Chardonnay. Take a sip of water in between chewing as one would not want to get the leaf lettuce stuck in their teeth. This would certainly be an embarrassment and faux paus for the White House diner.