How to pair wine with dogs

Choosing wine based on the dog breed

photo by Rebecca Alison of Cani Romani (Dog Photograher)

I currently live with seven dogs. Over the past 20 years, I have rescued dozens of dogs of all breeds. Primarily seniors and hospice dogs. I have a particular penchant for beagles, I'd love to have any kind of pittie breed, and my current personal dog is Alfonso, my Brittany Spaniel mix I found when he was 50 days old. My heart dogs are Bellone and Chardonnay, named after wine grapes that suit their personalities. I found them in a dumpster near Lago di Nemi 15 years ago, and they have been my life partners since. Eventually, I see myself retiring with some sort of German Shepherd mix, a corgi, a pit bull, and a maremanno while tending to a small vineyard of Bellone. Of course, I'd never buy a dog from a breeder. I have found treasure in others' trash quite literally. But responsible breeding does have its place in this world. You can find your breed choice in a shelter or rescue group. And remember, please spay and neuter your dogs. Dog and cat overpopulation is a real problem worldwide, and the only real solution to street dogs and overcrowded shelters is mass sterilization programs. 

Fermented drinks and dogs are both ubiquitous in the human story. Our relationship with canines dates back at least 15,000 years ago with a relationship with wolves. As humans evolved from small hunter-gatherer groups, they began domesticating plants and animals, and our dog friends were along for the journey. The earliest canine and human relationships were mutually beneficial to wolves and humans alike, but as we developed more complex societies, the dogs we bred evolved with our needs ranging from hunting partners, guard dogs, and simple companionship. 

Around 8000 years ago, Neolithic humans started to make wine with purpose. We made terracotta vessels for fermentation and storage and learned how to domestic grapes to make the most out of this spectacular fruit. Like dogs, our tastes evolved over the millennia, and there is a range of styles. The American Kennel Club recognizes 190 different dog breeds, and it is estimated that there are over 400 breeds around the world, not to mention the variation with mixed breed dogs. Thousands of wine grapes are mind-blowing and give birth to a multitude and range so vast. Dogs and wine have much more in common than we might think. 

Luckily for us, wine and dogs can be broken down into eight styles and types, and I have paired the dogs that match perfectly with wines based on actual studies* and the personality types of dogs and people.  

Non-Sporting Breeds with Sparkling Wines 

This category includes Poodles, Dalmatians, French Bulldogs, Lhasa Apso, and the Bichon Frise. Some dogs were once bred as working dogs and are no longer produced for that purpose. They have the most variety in personality; they can be big or small, high energy or lazy. They don't quite fit into any category and have a broad range. So parents of these furry friends probably have the most extensive range of personalities as well, and therefore the most appropriate style of wine for those of us who love these dogs is sparkling wine. There is a considerable range in flavor type and style in this category. Ranging from dry, complex, vintage Champagne, funky pet nats, easy-to-drink Prosecco, and sweet and aromatic Moscato d'Asti. I can't pinpoint you, but you like what you like. If you have an affinity for the French Bulldog, you just know he is right for you. It is the same with sparkling wine. 

Terriers with White Wines

The terrier category includes Yorkshires, Welsh, and Scottish terriers, and pittie breeds such as Staffordshire bull terriers and the much-maligned American pitbull. These dogs do not know they are dogs. They are feisty, fun, misunderstood, and full of energy; they are also very loyal to their humans. If you are a terrier parent, you are patient and love your dog's extrovert personality. You probably watch Dodo videos and get angry when people don't understand how awesome your dog is. These are fun dogs that can run the gamut of being basic or extremely special. They respond best to humans in their life. People who love terriers also love good white wine. They like chardonnay because they know what they are getting. They want a wine that suits them throughout their meal, and with a range of bodies and styles, white wines are best suited for you. You'll also enjoy a good Albarino, Verdicchio, Pinot Grigio if you love terriers. 

Sporting Dogs with Rosé

The Sporting dog category includes Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Labs, Irish Setters, and Brittany Spaniels. These dogs are multitaskers that like to be outdoors. They were bred to find and retrieve. They are intelligent, super friendly, and some of the most popular dogs. They are also excellent therapy dogs. They are extroverts, expressive, and love a good time.

For this reason, I believe that if you love these dogs, you are a rosé all day kind of person. Rosé wines are expressive and multitaskers, just like this type of dog. You can drink them by the pool or have them with a heavy meal. They are also fun while camping or sipping at a wine bar. They never disappoint, just like a Golden Retriever.  

Herding Dogs with Red Wines 

The herding dog category includes German Shepherds, corgis (yes, corgis), Border Collies, the Caucasus Shepherd, Maremma Shepherd, and more. They are loyal dogs, intelligent, and need intellectual stimulation. They are known to be athletic, easy to train, excellent with large groups of people, and organized. We imagine if you love these dogs, you'd love a game of trivia, your family is important to you, you want everyone at the table to be happy with the wine choice, and you like a wine that gives your reason for pause. You'll enjoy red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Verdot, Saperavi, and Tempranillo. Though there is a lot of variation in these wines, like herding dogs, they are good with crowds and dependable. 

Working Dogs with Orange Wines 

Some of the oldest known breeds include Akitas, Siberian Husky, Great Pyrenese, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, and the Anatolian Shepherd. They were bred for specific jobs, and they did their jobs well. They are durable and need a person with an even temperament. They are great at rescue work. Like Orange wine, these dogs are old world. Orange wine is the oldest known style of wine, and some of these dogs are the closest related to their wolf cousins. People with these dogs are proud of them, enjoy their companionship, and like a mix of culture and history with their wine. Try Orange wines from Georgia, Slovenia, or Friuli Venezia Guilia. 

Hounds with Sweet Wines 

Elvis said, "You ain't nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time." Hound dogs are categorized as scent or sight dogs, the sweetest dogs ever created. They are very agile dogs and can be very obsessed with what they smell. They are great dogs for adventurous and patient people. For this reason, hound lovers will enjoy a vast array of sweet wines. Sweet wines are wines made with dried grapes (passito styles), frozen (Ice Wine), or botrytized. They are often exquisite and can take your nose to new places. They are sometimes made with aromatic varieties that are perfect for a Beagle lover. Sweet wines aren't meant for merely drinking. They have very complex bouquets that open up and change over time. 

Toy Breeds with Fortified Wines 

Small and full of personality, toy breeds include more miniature Yorkies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Pomeranians, Pug, and Chihuahuas. These dogs are often long-lived, require full attention, and are great for introverts who like to spend a lot of time at home. We can just imagine a breezy autumn night with a small glass of port in your hand are your little chihuahua in your lap. These are life companions that crave full attention. Like many fortified wines, toy breeds become much more complex as they age. And, of course, there is a lot of variety, like the non-sporting breeds. These dogs were bred to be much smaller than their origThese are dogs were bred to be much smaller than their original size, often for carrying around. But, like an excellent fortified wine, a little dog goes a long way. 

Mixed Breeds with Vermouth

Mixed breeds are the most common dog worldwide and often the most fulfilling. Since they are outside of an exact definition, vermouth is the perfect wine-based beverage for lovers of a great rescue dog. Vermouth is a fortified wine mixed with various botanicals, herbs, and spices. Every vermouth maker has her own recipe, which makes for an endless world of possibilities. Of course, you take great care of your dog, just as a vermouth maker takes excellent care of her recipe. 

*study by me, a person who rescues dogs, has had every type of dog imaginable, and understands wine.