Warmer weather calls for summer BBQs, picnics, and the season’s fresh bounty of berries! Elevate your summer gatherings with these delicious summer wine and food pairings.
As the temperature rises, it’s time to dust off your outdoor furniture and awaken the grill from its winter slumber. We transition from hearty soups to vibrant summer salads, grilled delicacies, and refreshing fruit desserts.
Summer is the perfect time to explore and enjoy the best wine pairings with seasonal recipes. Discover the art of enhancing your meals with carefully selected wines that complement the flavors of summer.
The Ultimate Guide to Summer Wine and Food Pairings
When considering summer wines, think beyond just rosé. Rosé is fantastic, and pairs well with many dishes, but there’s a whole world of wine to explore during the summer months.
Summer isn’t exclusively for white wine either. While the conventional wisdom might suggest red wine for cooler months and white wine for warmer ones, that’s an outdated and inaccurate view.
From robust reds to crisp whites, sparkling wines to unique orange wines, there’s a diverse range of wines that taste exceptional in the summer.
Here’s your comprehensive guide to summer wine and food pairings for 2024, ensuring every meal is a delightful experience.
The Best Wine to Pair with Grilled Steaks and Ribs
Let’s start by finding the perfect wine for your summer BBQs. Generally, medium to full-bodied red wines pair exceptionally well with meaty, rich steaks and BBQ ribs. The robust flavors of the wine complement the savory nature of these dishes.
Steak
Depending on the preparation method, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are excellent choices to complement grilled steaks. Their rich profiles enhance the flavors of the meat.
BBQ Ribs
BBQ ribs are a summer staple. Whether grilled or made in an Instant Pot, pairing BBQ ribs with a medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is always a winning combination. The wine’s robust characteristics balance the richness of the ribs.
Our top pick: Dama 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon ($55, Walla Walla, WA). This Cabernet Sauvignon offers rich dark cherry flavors, elegant tannins, and pairs perfectly with hearty BBQ dishes.
The Best Wine to Pair with Hamburgers
There are countless ways to prepare a hamburger, so your wine selection should match your burger’s style. Consider the ingredients and preparation method when choosing the perfect wine.
Lighter burgers, such as a Teriyaki Turkey Burger with pineapple slaw, pair well with a sweet white Sauterne or an off-dry Riesling. The sweetness of the wine complements the lighter flavors of the burger.
For your average burger or cheeseburger, a light to medium-bodied red wine creates a balanced experience. Try an Oregon Pinot Noir or a fruit-forward Gamay. These wines enhance the meat without overpowering it.
Big, beefy burgers with all the fixings call for Malbec. The strong black fruit profile and bigger tannins of Malbecs stand up to the intense flavors of a fully-loaded burger. The wine cuts through the richness, creating a harmonious balance.
Our top pick: Catena Malbec ($16). This full-bodied red wine from Argentina offers rich dark plum fruit flavors and a smooth silky finish.
The Best Wine to Pair with Summer Pork Recipes
Pulled pork is a fantastic dish to serve at BBQs because it’s perfect for feeding a crowd! The tender, flavorful pork pairs well with a variety of wines.
Our top pick: Serve pulled pork with Tertulia Cellars Ryan’s Reserve ($45). This red blend complements the richness of the pork, enhancing the overall dining experience.
The Best Wine to Pair with Grilled Chicken
Similar to burgers, there are many ways to enjoy grilled chicken. For dishes with sweet marinades, like Peach Bourbon Grilled Chicken, enjoy a glass of Viognier or Gewürztraminer. These aromatic wines enhance the sweetness of the dish.
Our top pick: Dobbes 2017 Viognier ($40). This wine’s floral notes and subtle sweetness make it an excellent pairing for sweet and savory grilled chicken.
For grilled chicken with specific spices, like Chicken Souvlaki, pair it with a Greek Assyrtiko or a Chenin Blanc. These wines offer crisp acidity that balances the spices.
For grilled chicken with a mild marinade or seasoning, a medium-bodied Chardonnay is always a great choice. Its buttery notes complement the chicken without overpowering it.
The Best Wine to Pair with Summer Seafood Recipes
Salmon
Grilled salmon pairs nicely with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, especially those from the Pacific Northwest. The earthy notes of the Pinot Noir and the buttery texture of the Chardonnay complement the salmon perfectly.
Our top pick: Ensemble Pinot Noir from Suzor Wines ($25). With every bottle sold, a portion is donated to Family Meal, a Portland non-profit providing COVID-19 relief grants for Oregon’s food service workers.
Pairing Tip: Food and wines from the same region tend to pair well together.
White Fish
Most white fish, such as cod and halibut, pair well with a Sauvignon Blanc. Its high acidity complements these types of fish, as well as crab, clams, and scallops.
Our top pick: Browne Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc ($24).
Shrimp
Grilled shrimp, especially with a bit of heat or spice, pairs perfectly with a glass of Semillon. Its citrusy notes enhance the flavors of the shrimp.
Our top pick: Reininger Semillon ($32). This is a refreshing summer wine with crisp citrus, peach, and minerality.
Oysters
Enjoy oysters, mussels, clams, or other shellfish with a crisp, acidic Albariño. Its bright flavors complement the briny taste of seafood.
Our top pick: the Abacela 2019 Albariño ($21). Aromatic, crisp, and lively with pineapple, pear, and green apple notes.
The Best Wine to Pair with Vegetables & Salads
Summer cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, and beans are at their peak during warmer months. Here’s what to pour with those beautiful vegetable-forward dishes.
Simple Salads
Enjoy light vegetable-forward salads, like a simple Tomato Cucumber Salad, with a Grüner Veltliner. Its crispness enhances the freshness of the salad.
If you’re grilling vegetables, pour a medium-bodied Pinot Noir. The earthy notes of the wine complement the smoky flavors of grilled vegetables.
Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is a summer favorite. Buttery Chardonnay pairs amazingly with corn, especially richer dishes like Creamy Confetti Corn. The buttery texture of the wine complements the sweetness of the corn.
Creamy Picnic Salads
Creamy salads like tuna salads or BLT salad, as well as creamy pastas, go beautifully with Pinot Noir or a Rosé wine. The acidity cuts through the richness of the cream, creating a balanced pairing.
Our top pick: Wine by Joe Pinot Noir ($19). This Oregon Pinot Noir is an amazing value, with juicy acidity and big blackberry and raspberry notes.
The Best Wines to Pair with Summer Desserts
Summer desserts tend to be lighter, but that doesn’t mean they all pair with white wine or rosé. Here are a few different types of summer desserts to show you how to pair wine with the season’s sweet treats.
Black Fruit Desserts
Summer berries are fresh, juicy, and delicious. For a rich black fruit dessert, like a blackberry parfait or Blueberry Galette, pour a Petite Syrah, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon. Their bold flavors complement the richness of the berries.
Red Fruit Desserts
Strawberry desserts and raspberry desserts pair nicely with most Rosé wines. The light, fruity flavors of the rosé enhance the berries.
Our top pick: Sokol Blosser’s 2019 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir ($25). Bright strawberries and raspberries burst from this gorgeous Oregon rosé.
Stone Fruit Desserts
Stone fruit desserts, like peach pie or peach meringue pavlovas, pair well with off-dry Rieslings. The sweetness of the wine complements the fruit without being overpowering.
Our top pick: pretty much any Brooks Winery Riesling. Ranging from $25 – $45, you’ll find a variety of styles.
The Best Summer Wine to Stock Up On: Anything Bubbly!
A bit of bubbly is always welcome, but especially during the summer. The effervescent, fizzy wine tastes amazing on a hot summer day. And, it pairs with almost everything.
But in the heat of summer, a Brut Rosé is highly recommended.
Brut Rosé
Sparkling rosé wines are fantastic for summer. They pair perfectly with most berry-forward salads, side dishes, entrees, and desserts.
Our top pick: Gruet Brut Rosé ($17).
Also try:
- Soter Vineyards Brut Rosé ($65)
- Graham Beck Brut Rosé ($17)
- Handley Cellars Brut Rosé ($52)
More Summer Recipes & Entertaining Guides
Best Wines for BBQ
The Perfect Summer Party: Food, Drink, and Entertaining Ideas
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