In a contentious effort to make as few shopping trips as possible, I’ve been getting creative (desperate) with some of my pantry pairings. For example, this ‘buffalo chicken salad’ featuring chicken nuggets, ranch dressing, blue cheese, a sprinkle of hot sauce — and whatever other vegetables were about to turn in my fridge.

I might be selling it short — was actually pretty delicious, and paired well with ‘Tuff Nut’ Pet Nat from Delinquente Wine Company in Riverland, Australia.

The grape in this wine is Bianco d’Alessano, which is typically from Italy, but Delinquete Wine Company specializes in producing wines from Southern Italian grape varieties which they grow in South Australia.

Pétillant Naturel (Pet Nat) is one of the earliest methods of producing a lightly sparkling wine. Delinquete use native yeast fermentation and this wine is bottled unfiltered.

The production methods allow for just the right combination of funky, bready aromas and flavors, with a savory finish that complimented the tangy and earthy blue cheese.  Bright acidity, citrus and tropical fruit notes speak to the crispy, deliciousness of the fried chicken.  Both the aroma, and flavor, are very vivid and clean for a natural wine.