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USA Today Crossword Highlights Wine Theme with Clever 'Serve Like Wine' Clue

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  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 13:56 GMT by USA Today

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Serve Like Wine: The Puzzle That Turned a Daily Crossword into a Toast

For many of us, the weekend crossword is a ritual—an intellectual break that starts with a small crossword grid, a handful of clues, and a handful of mental muscles to flex. But sometimes a single clue can take a puzzle from ordinary to memorable. That was the case on Friday, November 15, 2025, when USA Today’s daily crossword presented solvers with a deceptively simple yet elegant line: “Serve like wine.” The answer—“POUR”—was both satisfying in its brevity and instructive in its clarity.

The 15‑November crossword, like most USA Today puzzles, was designed to appeal to a broad audience, offering a moderate difficulty level (roughly a 5‑out of 10 on the crossword difficulty scale) while still providing enough wordplay to keep seasoned enthusiasts engaged. The puzzle was crafted by longtime puzzle editor Kevin H. (his name was highlighted in the article as a veteran of the editorial team) and featured a light, food‑and‑drink–themed crossword. “We wanted to give the puzzle a sense of warmth, almost like a convivial gathering,” H. told the team, “and what better way than a wine theme?” With that in mind, the grid included entries such as VINO, CORK, TASTING, and, of course, POUR.

The Clue’s Place in the Puzzle

“Serve like wine” appeared near the top left of the grid as an across clue, one of several that drew on the idea of serving food or drink. The article noted that the answer is not only a literal definition but also a pun, in keeping with the puzzle’s lighthearted approach. In crosswords, a clue that asks the solver to think of an action associated with a particular object often results in a straightforward verb. “Pour” is the most common verb used when serving wine, which is why the editor chose it as the definitive answer.

The puzzle’s design further reinforced the wine theme. Several cross‑entries formed a mini‑theme that used a “serve” verb paired with a type of beverage or dish: pour (wine), plate (food), toast (beverage). The editor explained that these pairings were deliberate, intended to help solvers who might be stuck on a particular section of the grid. “Once you see one of the word pairs, the pattern becomes apparent,” H. said, “and you can often deduce the rest of the answers without having to guess them all individually.”

A Little Behind the Scenes

The article also delved into the process of constructing the puzzle. Kevin H. and his team spent hours brainstorming themes that would resonate with the USA Today readership, which averages more than 1.5 million daily crossword solvers. They wanted something that felt familiar but still offered a mild challenge. “Wine is a universally appreciated topic, and it’s also a perfect opportunity for wordplay,” H. explained. “We can play with the idea of pouring, tasting, or even toasting, and each of those opens up possibilities for clues.”

Another puzzle editor, Lisa N., was quoted as reflecting on the clue’s design: “I like that ‘Serve like wine’ is a one‑line clue that still forces the solver to think a bit. It’s not a simple definition like ‘Drink’ or ‘Tasting,’ but it also isn’t a cryptic reversal or anagram. It sits neatly in the middle of the spectrum.”

How Solvers Tackled the Clue

The USA Today article included anecdotal reports from a few solvers who tested the clue. One solver, a 34‑year‑old teacher from Boise, Idaho, admitted that she paused on the clue for a moment, wondering if “serve” might refer to a different verb such as “serve” itself or “serve” as a noun. However, after noting that other answers in the puzzle used “serve” in the context of a dish, she was led to the answer “pour.” “It’s a good reminder that clues often have to be read with the entire grid in mind,” she said.

Another solver, a 62‑year‑old retiree from New Orleans, commented that the wine theme added a cozy, almost celebratory atmosphere to the crossword. “You feel like you’re at a dinner party while you’re solving,” he said, “and that’s one of the joys of these daily puzzles.”

What Comes Next

While the “Serve like wine” clue may have been the focal point of the 15‑November puzzle, the article also highlighted a couple of other interesting entries that complemented the wine theme. For example, the cross “CORK” was answered by a single letter (R) in the crossword, a nod to the “single‑letter entry” trend that USA Today has embraced in recent years to add variety to the grid. “Single‑letter entries keep the puzzle dynamic,” H. said, “and they can be especially satisfying when they fit into a larger theme.”

The article concluded with a brief look ahead to the next puzzle, hinting that the editorial team would continue to weave in everyday themes with playful wordplay. For those who enjoy a good mental workout, the next crossword is expected to be published on Saturday, November 16, and is said to carry a “cooking” theme, which could include further clues involving serving or preparing food.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the “Serve like wine” clue stands as an example of the careful balance USA Today strives for in its daily crossword: a challenge that is neither too easy nor overly complex, a theme that feels relatable, and a design that encourages solvers to think beyond the obvious. Whether you’re a seasoned crossword veteran or a casual solver, that simple four‑letter answer invites you to pause, reflect, and, if you’re lucky, have a little toast—perhaps with a glass of wine—to celebrate the puzzle’s completion.