4 days ago
8 Iconic Summer Wine Pairings To Try Before Season's End
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According to the calendar, we're nearly halfway through summer.
The season of outdoor grilling, fresh tomatoes, and oysters on the half-shell beckons some epic wine pairing opportunities. In case you've fallen behind, we're here to provide you with some inspiration and to assure you that there's still time to explore these perfect summer pairings.
From lobster rolls and Chablis to tomato sandwiches and rosé, here are eight quintessential summer culinary and wine pairings you need to try at least once.
Oysters and Albariño
Nothing evokes summer more than a waterfront seat with oysters on the half-shell and a bottle of Albariño on ice. The white wine's savoriness and crisp palate stands up to briny oysters and complements the simple accoutrement of a drizzle of lemon.
Bottles to try: DO Ferreiro Albariño 'Cepas Vellas' and Foral De Melgaco Alvarinho Vinho Verde
Fish tacos and Champagne
Purists may flinch at swapping a margarita for a flute of Champagne when pairing their fish tacos, but try it once and you'll see why it works so well. Whether the fish is fried or grilled, Champagne refreshes the palate in between every bite, thanks to its bubbles and acidity. The slight residual sweetness in Brut styles can also balance any hot sauce or jalapeno toppings, unlike tequila which can amplify the heat.
Bottles to try: NV M. Brugnon Selection Brut Champagne and NV Lucien Roguet No. 1 Tradition Grand Cru Champagne
Lobster roll and Chablis
New Englanders know there are two different types of lobster rolls — Maine style is served lightly chilled with mayonnaise versus Connecticut's warm and buttered roll. For fans of the latter, Chablis is an ultimate pairing due to its medium body that stands up to the viscous butter with a flinty finish that accentuates the lobster's salinity.
Bottles to try: Louis Jadot Chablis 2023 and Joseph Drouhin Chablis
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Burgers and Malbec
Grilled meats, like burgers, 'offer smoky, caramelized flavors that pair beautifully with bold, expressive wines,' shares Juan Diego and Nicole Canahuati of Arcano in Miami. They suggest a Malbec for its richness that can handle the char and spice while still offering a smoothness that is expected with summer sipping. Chill it for 15 to 20 minutes before serving as 'a slight chill enhances fruitiness and refreshment without muting the flavor,' suggest Diego and Canahuati.
Bottles to try: Maal Biutiful Malbec and Susana Balbo Signature Malbec
Tomato sandwich and Provence rosé
Tomato sandwiches are refreshingly sweet, juicy and bursting with the soul of summer. It's a combination that deserves a wine as akin to sun-fueled days as a Provencal rosé. The pairing is delicate yet complex as the red berry notes and floral hints mingle with the sweet acid left behind by the tomatoes.
Bottles to try: Château La Coste Rosé Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and Domaine du Cassis Rosé Bagnol
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Veggie kebabs and Sauvignon Blanc
Vibrant peppers layered between yellow squash and zucchini are a light yet flavorful weeknight summer meal. The aromatic wine enlivens the mellow notes of the squash while the pyrazines (a green pepper taste) in certain Sauvignon Blancs are a match for the similar flavor of the bell peppers.
Bottles to try: Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough and Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Pasta salad and Sangiovese
A chilled, creamy pasta salad is an easy dish for a warm, summer evening. The temperature contrast is what makes this dish so appealing; to further that contrast, try adding in a slightly chilled red wine like Sangiovese. The Italian wine is an inherent favorite for pasta dishes but is particularly perfect for pasta salad as it offers enough structure to stand up to any bits of bacon or salami in the mix and a fruitiness that stands out against the mayonnaise or light cream sauce.
Bottles to try: Chiara Condello Romagna Sangiovese Predappio and Castellani Sangiovese
Peach cobbler and Sauternes
A summer meal isn't complete without a seasonally-appropriate dessert, and for something as sweet as a peach cobbler, a wine that's sweeter is necessary. This sweet wine from France presents a zingy acidity and weight that can frame the syrup-texture of stewed peaches so that the wine tastes surprisingly dry in comparison—leaving you wanting a sip after every bite.
Bottles to try: Château Laribotte Sauternes and Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes