How to Pair Iconic Bravo Dishes with Wine

A Ph.D. in Bravo may not land you much besides a trivia night trophy from your local bar, but it makes this writer uniquely qualified to help pair classic Bravo cuisine with some sexy and unique sips. (That’s a Vanderpump Rules reference—hopefully you’re off to a good start catching the Bravo nods.) For this exercise, our real-life Tasting Department steps into the shoes of Bravolebrities favorites, imagining what wines they might pair with some of the more iconic dishes featured on the network. Stay with us.

Your (Not Real) Reality Tasting Panel

• Scheana Shay, Vanderpump Rules: Heart of gold, sensitive, performer
• Giselle Bryand, The Real Housewives of Potomac: Feisty, speaks her mind, nurturing
• Shep Rose, Southern Charm: Hyper-intellectual, always up for a good time, reformed party boy
• Dorinda Medley, The Real Housewives of New York City: Self-possessed, a boss, sensitive side
• Reza Farahan, Shahs of Sunset: Bright, funny, lavish

Note: All Bravolebrity wine pairings are recommendations from the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Department and not the individuals themselves.

Eggs à la Française

If the Countess of Cabaret makes a morning meal, chances are it’s this. Any
opportunity she gets, The Real Housewives of New York City star Luann de Lesseps
crafts this take on the classic French breakfast typically made with butter, heavy
cream and chives—especially as a hangover cure.

Gizelle is having: Baron de Ley 2018 Gran Reserva Tempranillo Blend (Rioja)
Bold, attractive and intense, this Gran Reserva Rioja’s hints of saffron do wonders for these eggs.

Reza is having: Domaine Chavy-Chouet NV Blanc de Blancs Brut (Crémant de Bourgogne)
The epitome of elegance, delivering fine bubbles and great balance, Chavy-Chouet’s Crémant remains
approachable with notes of citrus and apple.

Dorinda is having: Alta Vista 2024 Torrontés (Mendoza)
With an intensely floral nose, this refreshingly acidic Torrontés has no trouble making its presence known.

Baked Potato with Caviar

The incomparable Kathy Hilton of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is an expert on all things decadence, so naturally any baked potato served in her presence comes topped with caviar. Such was the case at one lunch with her (very confused) sister and castmate Kyle Richards, who couldn’t parse if it was an appetizer or entree. Hilton’s serving method involves a classic caviar setup complete with a mother-of-pearl spoon, plus chives and sour cream. It’s all served on a TV tray—but, like, the nicest TV tray you’ve ever seen. It’s that kind of high/low pairing that makes Hilton an endearing enigma.

Reza is having: J Vineyards & Winery 2015 Late Disgorged Sparkling Blend (Russian River Valley)
J Vineyards’s 2015 bottling, aged for seven years before disgorgement, is complex, classy and refined, able to satisfy even the pickiest palates. It’s the perfect pairing for caviar.

Dorinda is having: Domaine Martin Clerc 2022 Viognier (Condrieu)
With bold notes of stone fruit and wild honey, combined with more subtle hints of ginger and brown butter, the complexity of this Viognier resolves in a gentle finish.

Scheana is having: Nicolas-Jay 2022 Affinités Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)
With a more gentle acidity than previous vintages, the 2022 Affinités is vibrant and fresh, but its texture and minerality keep it elevated. Though approachable now, with some aging, this wine will reveal its
true complex colors.

“Cheap” Sprinkle Cookies

We don’t recommend bringing these to anyone’s house for an event. Definitely not to your estranged sister-in-law’s, and especially not if your estranged sister-in-law is Teresa Giudice. While these cookies were deemed an insult when Melissa Gorga gifted them to Giudice on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, there is something to be said about a warm grocery store sugar cookie with sprinkles. (Sorry, Teresa.)

Scheana is having: Jermann 2021 Ramat Pinot Grigio (Friuli)
Intensely aromatic with a persistent flavor, this release from Jermann is a lovely blend of fruit and minerality.

Gizelle is having: Freakshow 2021 Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi)
Taking a varietal known for its boldness and spice, Freakshow has managed to imbue this
release with grace, poise and complexity.

Reza is having: Côté Mas NV Brut (Crémant de Limoux)
Notes of almond, pear and lemon lead the way for this refined, yet crisp and approachable sparkler.

Fesenjoon Stew

To know the characters of Shahs of Sunset is to love their ornate and decadent table spreads. Picking just one classic Persian dish from the many that regularly appear on the show is a steep task, but Fesenjoon stew would likely land approval from castmates Mercedes “MJ” Javid and Reza Farahan. The spiced chicken stew relies on a fragrant blend of ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses and spices like turmeric, cinnamon and cardamom to land a perfect balance of salty and sweet.

Scheana is having: Trestle Thirty One 2022 Riesling (Finger Lakes)
Rich and bright, this Riesling boasts white floral and honeyed fruit notes that make
for a refreshing and balanced knockout.

Shep is having: Bodega Noemia de Patagonia 2020 Malbec (Patagonia)
Due to the warm 2020 vintage, this Malbec offers balance while maintaining bold hints of chocolate, violet and spice.

Gizelle is having: Gran Clos 2020 Finca El Puig Priorat Red Blend (Priorat)
Deep in color and intense with herbal aromas of sage and lavender, the Gran Clos 2020 Finca El Puig release leaves a lasting impression.

Goat Cheese Balls

SUR Restaurant and Lounge in West Hollywood, co-owned by Vanderpump Rules star Lisa Vanderpump, serves a “sexy and unique” version of this classic appetizer. (SUR stands for Sexy and Unique Restaurant, get it?) Despite the show’s tacit suggestion that they’re best enjoyed by waitstaff on a
break in the alley over a secret cocktail, they can actually be consumed at a table.

Dorinda is having: Mud House 2024 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
Showcasing the bouquet of New Zealand’s Marlborough wine district, this wine boasts tropical notes of guava and passion fruit that give way to ruby red grapefruit and lime, creating a mouthwatering and seductive vibrancy.

Shep is having: Valle dell’Acate 2022 Zagra Grillo (Sicilia)
Though Grillo might not have the name recognition of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, the varietal has plenty going for it. With deep citrus flavors and a refreshing minerality, this is a wine to keep an eye on.

Gizelle is having: Thistledown 2022 She’s Electric Old Vine Single Vineyard Grenache (McLaren Vale)
With distinctly wild notes of strawberry and cherry, more subtle layers of spice lie underneath. This wine’s energy and verve would pair beautifully with goat cheese balls.

Tasting notes by Jacob Abrams

This article originally appeared in the May 2025 Film issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine. Click here to subscribe today!

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