Just as Dom Perignon may or may not (probably not) have “discovered” or “invented” Champagne, John Montagu may or may not have invented the sandwich.
The 4th Earl of Sandwich (1718-1792) was a British statesman who also liked to do some gambling. As the legend has it, during prolonged sessions at the gaming table, he would order bread and meat and cheese to be brought to him, and he would use the bread as a “holder” for the other ingredients.
Sounds plausible. Regardless, though, sandwiches caught on over time. Big time. Today, Americans eat an average of 300 million sandwiches each day.
No wonder we now have a National Sandwich Day — which, in 2020, is today!
So order (or make) your favorite sandwich, pour a glass of wine, and celebrate.
To help you pick the perfect wine to pair with your favorite sandwich, here’s a handy guide…
* Philly Cheesesteak — Cabernet Franc or, if you prefer white wine, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
* Sloppy Joe — Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
* Muffuletta — Amarone della Valpolicella.
* Monte Cristo — Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc or Riesling.
* Grilled Cheese — Moscato or Viognier. Add a bowl of tomato soup to the meal, and opt for a rosé-style wine instead.
* BLT — Pinot Noir or sparkling wine.
* Club — A lightly oaked Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir.
* French Dip — Almost any red wine from Italy’s Piedmont region.
* Peanut Butter and Jelly — Rosé sparkling wine.
* Pilgrim — Essentially Thanksgiving leftovers between slices of bread, slathered with some cream cheese, this sandwich pairs nicely with the two essential wines of Turkey Day: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
