With just 3 days left of the annual Calgary Stampede, Wine Girl has worked out some food and wine pairings with a twist – wines that will pair with some of the offerings on the midway at the Calgary Stampede!

If you aren’t able to make it to the Stampede, rest assured you will find these gastronomic pleasures at a summer carnival near you!

Corn Dogs: For those of you unfamiliar with this culinary delight, a corn dog is a hot dog, which is coated with a cornmeal batter and then deep fried. Champagne would be a good accompaniment, as the bubbles would cut through the grease, and keep your palate refreshed. Corn Dogs with Mustard would mandate an oaked Champagne, while Corn Dogs with Ketchup would be best enjoyed with a Shiraz.

Mini Doughnuts: Nothing compares to miniature doughnuts fried before your very eyes, and then tossed in cinnamon sugar. Best enjoyed warm, and in a bag! These would be great with either a sweeter prosecco, or dunked in Madeira!

Perogies: Found at the Ukranian food booth in the Lower Level of the Big Four building, perogies are boiled dumplings with a potato and cheese filling. They are topped with onions, and served with a side of sour cream. A lighter style of beer, such as XO Lager from Big Rock would be a good match here.

Taco in a Bag: This unique “dish” is a bag of Doritos, which is cut open at one end and then crushed, and then topped with Mexican seasoned beef, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and salsa, and must be eaten with a plastic fork! A lime margarita would be perfect with this Mexican selection, but for a wine, a Sauvignon Blanc would be a great match with the Doritos!

Deep Fried Cheesecake: A slice of cheesecake wrapped in a tortilla and deep fried. A Moscato d’Asti or a Prosecco’s bubbles and sweetness would go well with this.

Cocunut Chocolate Fudge: One of Wine Girl’s Stampde Favourties, this fudge was made by the Old Fashioned Fudge Inc. A Cabernet Franc Icewine would pull the strawberry component.

Beef on a Bun: There are a number of different sauces on offer – so ask for a sample before you commit to the whole sandwich! Depending on the sweetness, a luscious Zinfandel would be a classic match, but for a spicier sauce try a Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Warm Pretzels with Mustard: An oaky chardonnay with lots of malo would be great with the salty, doughy deliciousness as well as the mustard.

Tags: Calgary Stampede, Corn Dogs, Midway Food, Mini Doughnuts