Wine Chips

I like wine.  I clearly like chips.  Yet I have never thought of pairing wine + chips.  That is, I never thought of it, until I was introduced to Wine Chips.

"We made Wine Chips because we love wine and we love cheese (who doesn't?) but realized that putting the cheese IN the wine was a bad idea for both.  So one evening in 2017, over a glass of wine (ok maybe two), we wished for something simple, portable, dip-able, endlessly snack-able, cheese-ladened and delicious.  And just like that (ok, it took a lot of work, a lot of samples, a lot of wine and the dedication of more than a few passionate oenophiles, exuberant chip connoisseurs and mildly lazy party guests) the wine chip was born."

Hmm.  Chips crafted specifically for wine pairings.  The concept is unique as far as I know, and hey, I'm always up for trying a new snack, even if it sounds a bit like a gimmick.  

Wine chips come in different "collections".  The primary product line is the "Estate Collection" of cheese flavored chips.

"Wine Chips are hand-made, lattice cut, extra thick, gourmet potato chips, all with distinctive flavors designed specifically to pair with wine."

Besides the unique aspect of the chips that is the central concept, wine pairing, the other notable thing about the chips is the form factor.  The chips are thicker than any other chip I've ever had, at least 3-4 times thicker than standard chips.  I was never quite sure if I liked that or not - it made them eat pretty heavy, and almost more like a cracker.  I never tried it, but I suspect they'd work great as dip chips as they have so much integrity, or, perhaps used like a cracker with cheese (and wine, of course)? 

The Charcuterie Collection.  

"At the center of the Wine Chips vision is the cheese board.  But alongside that iconic wine pairing we have always sought out the ideal complementary charcuterie flavors that would take the vision to the next level."

The charcuterie collection contains three flavors:

• Dry Aged Ribeye 
• Spicy Calabrese
• Billionaire's Bacon
  

Available as a collection of one tube + one refill of each for $46.99, or individually in 1 ounce bags for $4.49 each.

These flavors are generally available for Diamond Private Reserve Club members only.  I was able to try all three.

Spicy Calabrese.

"This delicious Wine Chip offers those special flavor notes that you would expect to discover on a delicious charcuterie board: a tanginess, saltiness, meatiness, and spiciness that will conjure up the sensation of pairing your wine with gourmet charcuterie while relaxing at a sidewalk cafe."

The spicy calabrese was the first flavor of wine chip I tried.  And wow, it was intense, and a bit of an acquired taste.

First though, the base chip: a thicker cut, ruffled chip.  A decent chip, the only remarkable aspect was that it was a bit thicker than normal, and the ridges helped hold in the seasoning.  I was glad they weren't thin crispy kettle style chips.

And then the interesting bit: the flavor.  What *does* a calabrese chip taste like?  And, what is even on them?  No, there is no actual meat used in these chips.  They are vegetarian. But what is on them is "spicy calabrese seasoning", or, I suppose, the spices generally used in the sausage?  Onion, garlic, salt, cayenne, and of course "natural flavors", sugar, and interestingly, red wine vinegar and yeast.  The red wine vinegar left a slight tang, but otherwise they were deeply savory, almost kinda like bbq in nature.  Certainly unique, and they reminded me a lot of chips like those I've discovered in other countries where my brain somewhat struggles to know what I'm eating (and, correspondingly, they have crazy names).

And because these are "wine chips" after all, of course I was provided with wine pairing suggestions:

"In terms of pairing, the Zinfandel grape is closely related to Primitivo, which is primarily grown in Southern Italy. These cousins are loaded with jammy fruit and peppery spice. More broadly, the traditional flavors of spicy Italian charcuterie are amplified by rich reds."

Since I generally each chips with my weekday lunch, and don't go for a glass of wine then, I didn't take them up on this pairing idea, but I can see how it would work really well.  I think they'd go great with some brie too.

I did like these, but found I really needed to be in the mood for them, and, a little went a long way given the strong flavors. ***+.

Dry Aged Ribeye.

"Crunching on a Dry-Aged Ribeye Wine Chip is a different experience.  One is initially drawn to its thick, robust crunch, but its pepper, onion, and garlic notes combine with a potpourri of spices to elicit the distinct flavors of a meaty steakhouse cut.  When you pair it with a robust red wine, you'll think you're eating a crispy, delicious steak!"

Next, I went for the dry aged ribeye.  The chip form factor was the same, a thicker style, rippled chip, and just like the spicy calabrese, I found I really needed to be in the mood for them, and a little went a long way.  When you think of a wine as an everyday drinking wine vs one that is bigger, bolder, and you need to be in the mood for it and have the right pairings lined up, imagine that, but for chips.  You don't just grab a handful of these to snack, or to have with your regular lunch.  But, if you are in the mood for intense chips, and have your cheese, charcuterie, wine, etc lined up, they work really well.

This flavor, much like the spicy calabrese, was ... confusing.  Really just different from other kinds of chips I've had, and my brain always struggled a bit with them.  I was never sure how much I actually liked them, and the flavor was hard to describe, but, kinda like the rub on a dry aged steak?  Lots of black pepper, some onion and garlic, a bit of a grill flavor ... just, and odd, and intense, mix of flavors.

"Designed by our Master Sommeliers to pair with your favorite full-bodied Red Wine or ....... even a beer! Yes, on fathers day, a beer would work really well."

The pairing suggestion was with a big bold red, which I think is necessary given how intense and bold the flavor of the chips is. 

I liked these less than the spicy calabrese.  **+.

Billionaire's Bacon.

"It’s a tangy, sweet & savory Wine Chip that tastes like a crispy piece of maple-glazed bacon, only it’s actually a hand-made vegetarian gourmet wine snack! "

And finally, the one I was most excited for, the "Billionaire's Bacon", designed to taste like brunch favorite Billionaire (or Millionaire) Bacon.   Like the others, it was a thick style of ridge cut chip.

Did it taste like bacon?  Uh, no.  Did it taste kinda sweet and smoky?  Yes?  I think.  It was another complex, complicated flavor, somewhere in the direction of BBQ, but just far more interesting. 

"Pair our Billionaire’s Bacon with rich, ripe reds, port or your favorite dessert wine!"

I generally had the chips at lunch, so I wasn't pairing with ripe reds nor port, but I do see how that could work.

I think these were my favorite, but also, it is possible I've just learned what to expect from such intense, bold chips.   Plus, I'm a sucker for anything bbq like. ****. 

The Estate Collection.

The Estate Collection features 5 cheeses flavors:

• Smoked Gouda
• Asiago
• Blue Cheese
• Manchego
• Serrano Cheddar

Available as a collection of one tube + one refill of each for $75.99, or a "Starter Kit" of one tube + two refills of a single flavor for $21.99.  I only tried one of these.

Smoked Gouda.

"Smoked Gouda’s smoky, sweet saltiness are a perfect match for the wine lover in all of us. Our custom Smoked Gouda flavored chip pairs well with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio or a festive sparkling wine like an exotic Metodo, Cava, Sekt, Espumante or even a great Rose."

I saved the smoked gouda for last, thinking they were the ones I'd like the most.  They weren't.

On the positive side, I've really grown to love the form factor of Wine Chips, with the thick slices and ridges.  And they were incredibly well coated in seasoning.  However, the flavor of the seasoning didn't do it for me.  Something just tasted a bit off about them, and I didn't get the promised smoky quality.  They were lightly cheesy, and considerably less zingy than the others I had tried, where the others all sorta reminded me of more sophisticated versions of bbq chips, these did not.

My least favorites, and I didn't even finish the bag. *.

Update Review: I didn't finish that first bag, but a few months later, I found the refill bags, and gave them another try.  I went in with low expectations, thinking I'd quickly ditch the bag and ... well, um, I devoured nearly a full bag in one sitting.  I guess I was really in the mood?  As with the other chips, they had the same thick form factor, with ridges to catch all the seasoning.  I love this form of chip, and don't understand why more brands don't make such thick chips.  A+ to the chip itself.  The flavor, while not zingy or in the bbq direction like the others, was quite cheesy.  A sophisticated cheddar flavor, or, well, I guess, gouda.  I still did not really taste the smoke, but, the gouda was there, and I was in the mood for a cheesy, savory snack, and these delivered.  ***+.