The 2014/2015 NFL season has finally started. Technically it started on Thursday, September 4, 2014, but September 7th is the first full day of football. My husband has been counting the days until football’s triumphant return.
The one thing that goes great with football is delicious food. Sometimes I think the football games are just an excuse for people to go all out and cook a scrumptious assortment of foods.
One food you might find at a tailgating party is chili. Just like football, some people take their chili seriously.
There are plenty of chili recipes, each with its own secret ingredient. When I make chili my secret ingredient is sugar. That’s right – I add sugar to my chili. Ideally brown sugar but I have made it with white sugar with an equally delicious result.
If your chili is legendary and you have people begging for me you might want to consider entering Riunite’s Ultimate Chili Challenge.
Riunite offers consumer’s Italian wines.
I haven’t heard of Riunite until recently when the company sent me a bottle of their Lambrusco wine and some goodies to make my favorite chili recipe.
According to the Riunite website the Lambrusco is…
…an Emilian wine, bright red in color, sparkling, made from the grape variety of the same name.” In fact it would be more accurate to state “grape varieties of the same name,” because at least six different types of Lambrusco are cultivated, in addition to all the grape varieties such as Lancellotta which are traditionally an integral part of the Lambrusco blend.
The wine is very flavorful. It has a deep, rich, fruity taste. Its sweeter then other red wines that I have have experienced.
Although the wine is made from a variety of grapes you can also sense other types of berries in both the scent and the flavor. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is that I taste and smell but there is more to it then just grapes.
The Lambrusco also has a bit of a fizz to it. I was surprised when I opened the bottle and heard it fizz. There is also a light effervescence that tickles your tongue as you drink it.
Because of it’s bold taste this wine could go with a lot of bold, flavorful foods – like chili. I think that is why Rinute has created the Ultimate Chili Challenge.
Rinute is asking cooks across the country to whip up their favorite chili recipe then snap a photo and fill out the information on the contest’s website for their chance to win the ultimate prize – a trip the the Super Bowl, aka, “The Big Game”.
You can find out more about the contest and upload your enter at www.RiuniteTailgate.com. You have until September 20th to enter.
The reason why I didn’t post my personal chili recipe here is because I am entering the contest and I didn’t want anyone to copy my recipe. I would LOVE to win the grand prize and take my hubby to the Super Bowl. That would be a dream come true for him, especially if his team makes it to the Super Bowl.
In addition the brand will be hosting regional chili cook offs too.
Throughout the campaign you’ll find coupons attached to Riunite bottles in retail stores that can sae you up to $4 on Riunite, Del Monte Tomatoes, and Louisiana Hot Sauce, ingredients you might need to create your ultimate chili.
Honestly, I wouldn’t think to pair red wine with chili but I tired the Riunite Lambrusco with my chili and it actually went very well together. My chili is both hot and sweet and the wine has a bold, fruity taste.
Up until now I would never think about serving wine at a tailgating party or get together but now that I’ve tried it I think I’ll do it again. After all, not everyone likes beer or soda. Sometimes you just want a sweet, fruity glass of wine.
You can check out Riunite on the social media sites – Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The official hashtag for the contest is #RiuniteChili.
Do you think you’ll be entering the contest? Feel free to share your thoughts.
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample and other goodies in order to do this review/post. There was no other compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.