The best pairings for pancakes

If you’re planning a Pancake Day celebration and haven’t yet decided what to drink here are few ideas.

As with pasta the best pairing for pancakes depends on the topping or filling which can obviously be savoury or sweet. 

And on the occasion you’re eating them which in the case of sweet pancakes could well be breakfast or brunch which might make it less likely you’ll be drinking wine. 

So far as we Brits are concerned the main pancake occasion is Pancake Day which takes place on Shrove Tuesday and is all about a very specific type of pancake, topped with a squeeze of lemon juice and crunchy sugar.

Even though that’s likely to be enjoyed later in the day it’s at least as likely to be accompanied by tea as booze but there are a couple of wines I think work really well.

Simple sugar and lemon pancakes
The classic British way. To be honest I prefer them on their own or with an aromatic cup of tea such as Lady Grey or Orange Pekoe but a sweet sparkling wine such as Moscato d’Asti or Clairette de Die should work if you don’t overdo the lemon. A sparkling ice-wine (the Canadian winery Inniskillin does one) would probably be perfect

Pancakes with fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries or blueberries
A sparkling rosé with a touch of sweetness - cue rosé prosecco - pairs well with this lighter style of pancake topping/filling. You could also try a sparkling framboise made with a raspberry liqueur topped up with sparkling wine.

Pancakes with golden or maple syrup
Tricky especially if the topping is maple syrup and the dish also includes bacon. Black tea or a black Americano coffee for me but them I don’t have a particularly sweet tooth. If you do you could always try an Australian liqueur muscat

Pancakes with Nutella
Black - or white - coffee again, if anything. Or you could echo the hazelnut flavour with a Frangelico

Pancakes with a cherry, apricot or other fruit compote
Very good with a complementary fruit beer - kriek with cherry-filled pancakes, a peach or apricot-flavoured beer with apricot filled ones.

With apple and cinnamon filled crepes you could serve a conventional dessert wine - cooked apples suit most of them but I’d be tempted by a youngish Tokaji

Savoury pancakes with cheese and ham or spinach
Dry or sparkling cider is a great match for Breton-style pancakes, particularly if they’re made with buckwheat. Otherwise a smooth dry white wine such as a Pinot Blanc, Soave or Gavi will all work fine

Smoked salmon blinis
Champagne, sparkling wine or iced vodka

Crispy duck pancakes
Not a traditional Shrove Tuesday treat but while we’re in pancake mode . . .  to beat a good Pinot Noir

Image By Melica at shutterstock.com