Whether you’re rooting for the Saints or the Colts, we’ll bet chips and dip, chicken wings or chili is on the menu, too. It’s logical to expect beer served alongside them. But how about guests who prefer grapes to hops? With the help of Dry and Earthy, here’s some help in that area.

Comeon and kick it up a notch – match what you’re eating below to our wine suggestions. We guarantee you’ll win “best host!”

In trying to match wine to traditional dips, such as salsa, guacamole and bean, the pairings can be wide ranging. The one constant to keep in mind, however, is the spiciness of the dip.

Salsa:
It has the acidity of the tomatoes to contend with and the level of heat you prefer. For a hot salsa, your best best would be a slightly sweet wine, such as a spatlese Riesling. The residual sugar and lower alcohol level helps tame a spicy dish.

For mild salsa, try a Chianti (or sangiovese) to pair with the tomatoes; or if it’s got a heavy dose of cilantro, try sauvignon blance or vinho verde with the herbs and acidity.

Guacamole:
It can be tame or wild, and varied in the ingredients that you add to the avocado. To match the richness and fat of the avocado, try a fuller-bodied and buttery chardonnay (but not too oaky). Or again, a sauvignon blanc to complement the herbs and any acidity. Even an Argentine torrontés or a light, sparkling wine, such as Spanish cava, might be nice.
In the red spectrum, I think a soft, earthy pinot noir would be a nice match for the soft, earthy avocado.

Bean dip:
To match the heavy fat content with beans and cheese, go back to a fuller-bodied white, such as chardonnay or a pinot gris from Alsace. If the dip dances with rich flavors from various seasonings, then a lush, jammy zinfandel just might carry those revved-up beans.

There are cheese dips and sour cream spreads, but if you’re drinking wine, you can go an extra step – buy some really great cheese for those crackers and dip-chips. Your palate – and your buddies – will thank you for it. The secret here is these will taste great for both wine drinkers and beer guzzlers. You can’t lose with this lineup:

Spreadable cheese: Try Chavrie w/basil and roasted garlic ($5.89 for 5.3 ounces at Publix) goat cheese with sauvignon blanc. Tip: This is a great idea for the women watching the game with you – score points for this match!

For something different and impressive, buy smoked Rambol, a creamy cheese from France ($6.05 for a good-sized chunk, Publix). It’s spreadable at room temperature, has a yummy smoked flavor and goes with nice, medium red wines: a rioja or pinot noir.

Stinky cheese: We talk about stinky cheeses a lot in our column. That’s because those cheeses go well with big, bold wines. The one we recommend is Saga, a bleu brie, made from both bleu cheese and brie ($5.69 at Publix for 5 ounces). Pair with a cabernet sauvignon, a red zinfandel, or a malbec and you’re gold. Be sure to have plenty of chips or crackers with the bolder cheeses, as too much cheese here may overpower the wine.

The other wines that go well with stinky cheeses like Roquefort or Stilton are the dessert wines, French sauternes or ports. If you’ve got party-goers who prefer sweet wines, this is the cheese group for them. In fact, the pairings of these wines with good cheeses could make the party unforgettable, no matter who wins the game.

Chicken Wings: For those celebrating a win, a semi-sweet sparkler is a great match for sweet or spicy chicken wings. Italian prosecco is a delicious and very affordable alternative to champagne that tends to be on the sweeter side.

If you prefer a still wine, try a German or Alsacian riesling. These light and fruity white wines usually have a great balance of sweetness and acidity. They are a nice complement to a sweeter-style wing and a great contrast to spicier fare.

Our Picks: Caposaldo Prosecco Brut, Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Brut, Jean Albrecht Riesling Reserve, Dr. Heidemanns Bergweiler Bernkastel Spatlese Riesling

Chili and Pizza: There’s nothing more American than pizza and football. So why not go with the all-American wine: red zinfandel. Don’t confuse it with the super-sweet cotton candy-colored white zinfandel. Deep, dark red zinfandel is definitely not for sissies.

Just like your favorite lineman, this big, bad California specialty will tackle your taste buds with layers of jammy, juicy fruit and spicy peppery notes. Zinfandels are a great match for hearty-meat based meals and can easily stand up to a spicy bowl of chili.

So put down that wishy-washy lager and toast your team with a wine as big and mean as they are. Real men (and women) drink Zin.

Our Picks: Sobon Estate Cougar Hill Zinfandel, Quivira Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Brazin (B)Old Vine Zinfandel