A glass of wine with your Maccy’s? It might sound like an unlikely combo, but wine expert and founder of Winedrops.com Jonny Inglis, reckons it’s a pairing worth trying. In recent videos online, Jonny has taste tested McDonald’s most-loved menu items and matched them with some seriously swanky wines. The results? Surprisingly delicious.
“Food and wine is a relationship that goes back thousands of years,” says Jonny. “But when it comes to fast food, the usual logic of matching wine with the region similar foods are grown in, doesn’t apply. For McDonald’s, you’ve got to get a bit creative, and that’s where the fun begins.”
Here’s how McDonald’s goes gourmet:
Chicken McNuggets + Cristal Champagne
“It’s surprising more people haven’t put these two things together. That is a match made in heaven”
Price: £4.49 for 9 pieces + £250 for the wine (or £15 for Crémant de Loire)
The iconic nuggets, with their fatty, creamy chicken middle and salty, bready coating, get a luxurious lift with Cristal Champagne. Known for its sharp acidity and hints of brioche and dried fruit, Cristal is a dream match. “Cristal doesn’t just cleanse your palate—it adds depth and complexity, almost mimicking the role of barbecue sauce. It’s a match made in heaven. People are really missing out by not pairing these two,” Jonny says. His verdict? 9/10.
Filet-O-Fish + Puligny-Montrachet
“Butter-on-butter decadence”
Price: £3.99 + £70 for the wine (or £12 for Mâcon-Villages)
McDonald’s cult favourite gets even more decadent when paired with Puligny-Montrachet, an oak-aged white Burgundy. “Filet-O-Fish has breaded pollock, tartar sauce, and processed cheese. It’s a cult classic that’s buttery, creamy, and indulgent,” says Jonny. The buttery and citrusy notes of the wine create “butter-on-butter decadence” with the sandwich’s richness. “It’s like breaking open a freshly toasted croissant, but with fish.”
Big Mac + Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz
“Like having a backyard barbecue on Bondi Beach”
Price: £4.79 + £90 for the wine (or £8 for Yellow Tail Shiraz)
The Big Mac, with its tangy, savoury sauce, gets a bold partner in Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz. “The Big Mac sauce is what makes this pairing tough,” Jonny explains. “It’s tangy, savoury, and a bit sweet—a mix of mustard, white wine vinegar, pickle relish, mayonnaise, garlic, and onion powder.” The unwooded Australian Shiraz, with its jammy, peppery flavours and 14.5% alcohol content, is just the ticket. “When in doubt, go for a big tannic red wine. The Shiraz has enough punch to stand up to the tangy sauce and umami-rich beef patties. It’s like having a backyard barbecue on Bondi Beach,” Jonny says.
Oreo McFlurry + Brachetto d’Acqui
“This is bloody good”
Price: £1.79 + £20 for the wine (or £10 for Lambrusco Rosso)
The McFlurry might seem impossible to pair, but Jonny nails it with Brachetto d’Acqui, a sweet, sparkling red from Piedmont. “Ice cream is notoriously hard to pair with wine because sweetness increases the perception of acidity. You need a wine that’s sweet and low in acidity to keep things balanced,” he explains. The Brachetto’s strawberry syrup-like notes add “nostalgic and indulgent” vibes to the dessert. “This is bloody good. It’s like reliving childhood, but as a sophisticated rich kid!” he says.
Jonny’s experiment shows that you don’t need a Michelin-starred meal to enjoy top-notch wine. “Pairing food and wine doesn’t have to be so complex or intimidating,” he says. “You can experiment, make bold choices, and have fun. It’s all about creating joy on your plate and in your glass.”
TikTok video, chicken nugget pairing: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNeof9S3F/
YouTube video, full McDonalds pairings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM5xT6Fs57M