Move over espresso martinis — red wine season is officially back, and it’s bringing an unexpected twist with it. The latest trend sweeping social media? Red wine poured over ice cream.
The indulgent mash-up has become a foodie phenomenon, with Google searches for the combo surging by 68% in the past month. And now, Lidl’s Master of Wine, Richard Bampfield, is giving his expert seal of approval to the viral sensation.
“Whilst pairing red wine and ice cream might seem unusual at first, I can see why it works — and I like the adventure of it,” says Bampfield. “After trying it myself, I am completely sold!”
Why Red Wine and Ice Cream Actually Work Together
According to Bampfield, the appeal of the combo lies in the contrast of textures and temperatures. “It’s all about the sensory experience, with the dryness of the wine emphasised by the ice cream,” he explains. “As the ice cream melts into the wine, it sweetens the drink, intensifying its flavours.”
The Master of Wine adds that the pairing works especially well with vanilla and salted caramel ice cream, thanks to the oak-aged, creamy notes found in many red wines. “Vanilla often appears as a tasting note in red wines, while oak aging gives flavours of toast and caramel — making it an intriguing match for a salted caramel ice cream.”
Lidl’s Top Red Wines for the Trend
For anyone keen to try the trend at home, Bampfield recommends some of his favourite bottles available at Lidl UK:
-
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC (£5.49), Deluxe Argentinian Malbec Uco Valley (£6.29*), & Puglia Primitivo (£6.49*) – “Fruitier reds like Valpolicella are perfect, adding a bright cherry flavour to both vanilla and chocolate ice cream.”
-
Deluxe South African Pinotage (£7.49) – “A warming red that brings through its innate smokiness into vanilla ice cream.”
-
Deluxe Barossa Shiraz (£7.99) – “It’s not always easy to pair wine with chocolate, but this Shiraz’s spice complements chocolate ice cream deliciously.”
A TikTok Trend Worth Trying
From wine influencers experimenting on TikTok to foodies posting their own late-night creations, this surprising pairing is fast becoming the treat of the season. And as temperatures drop, it’s a fun way to keep red wine season feeling fresh — and just a little bit rebellious.
