From crisp whites with branzino and niçoise salad with rosé, to rich, jammy reds with grilled wagyu, there’s a plethora of ideas for summer entertaining done right here.
Best Food and Wine Pairings for Summer
1. French Chardonnay & Grilled Pork with Maitake Mushrooms
The Wine Pick:2018 Domaine Prunier-Bonheur Auxey-Duresses Blanc Les Crais, $48The Pairing: “This wine from the Cote de Beaune always over-delivers," says Courtney Wieland, wine director of private clients at Thatcher’s Wine. “It’s bright, fresh, mineral and super easy to enjoy by itself during the day, although it can offer enough complexity and texture to pair with light dishes or main courses such as grilled proteins. I love to pair it with grilled pork and maitake mushrooms with a fresh herb and pepperoncini sauce.”
2. Sancerre & Rosemary Lamb Loin Skewers with Tabbouleh
The Wine Pick: 2020 Mathieu Crochet Sancerre, $34The Pairing: “The grilled veggies and citrus flavors from the tabbouleh bring a freshness and seasonality to this lamb dish,” says Prime Stamford Executive Chef Julio Genao. To complement the dish, general manager Charles Stedman recommends Mathieu Crochet Sancerre, which carries strong notes of lemon, lime and green apple that draw and highlight the citrus notes in the tabbouleh and lemon labneh. “We love suggesting this pairing to guests; it’s out of the box and introduces guests to pairing ingredients and sauces with a dish, not just proteins,” he adds.
3. Pinot Gris & Grilled Snapper with Salsa
The Wine Pick:Etude 2019 Pinot Gris, $32The Pairing: “Pinot Gris is a wine that is synonymous with summer,” says Jon Priest, chief winemaker and general manager at Etude Winery. “This one is delicate, but its flavor profile of tropical notes like guava and kiwi, paired with light apricot and citrus, work seamlessly with grilled fish. I love this wine with grilled snapper, topped with mango or pineapple salsa. The tropical stone fruit notes in the wine, married with the mild, yet slightly sweet flavor of the fish and salsa make for a perfect summer meal.”
4. Rosé & Salade Niçoise
The Wine Pick:Diora, La Belle Fête Rose of Pinot Noir, $20The Pairing: “One of the fantastic things about rosé is that it has food-pairing superpowers,” explains winemaker, James Ewart of Diora Wines. “A good rosé can handle the sharp flavors of produce, such as fava beans, snap peas and green garlic, and it also drinks well with salads, which is not the case with a lot of wines. I love niçoise salad with our Diora Rosé—the fruity crispness of the wine, which is made from Pinot Noir, pairs perfectly with the salty, sharp and sweet flavors of the tuna, olives, red peppers and potatoes.”
5. California Chardonnay & Asparagus-Pea Risotto
The Wine Pick:Black Stallion Estate Winery Napa Valley Chardonnay, $28The Pairing: “The farmer’s markets here in Napa Valley are filled in the spring and summer with produce that pair beautifully with Napa Valley Chardonnay,” says winemaker Ralf Holdenried of Black Stallion Estate Winery. “For a more luxurious meal, asparagus-pea risotto and Chardonnay is one of those incredible pairings that really wows people. The wine cuts through the richness of the risotto and its creamy texture matches it beautifully.”
6. Assyrtiko & Mediterranean Branzino
The Wine Pick:Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko Santorini, $47The Pairing: Jason Hedges, certified Sommelier and director of beverage at L,Amico, The Vine, Skirt Steak NYC, is partial to wine pairings driven by fresh culinary flavors. “I’m crazy about Mediterranean sea bass, aka branzino with the Greek grape Assyrtiko,” he raves. “Assyrtiko is often grown in volcanic soils near the sea, which adds a salty crystalline acidity to the flavor profile, backed up with bright citrus and savory volcanic minerality. Branzino is a fish that has an affinity for fresh, bright, and savory flavors like citrus, olives, anchovy, fresh herbs. The two are a perfect match.”
7. Syrah & Grilled Wagyu
The Wine Pick:Lionel Faury, “Saint Joseph,” Syrah, Northern Rhône, FR, 2019, $37The Pairing: “We tend to think of Syrah in the California-style—rich and jammy, explains Ben Zuba, wine director at Rare Society in San Diego. “In the Rhone Valley, they produce Syrah with restraint. That means it’s more approachable, and in particular, this bottle, which comes from Northern Rhone appellation Saint Joseph, is more youthful, and a touch less serious, which is why I love it for summer. It’s herbaceous, with dark fruits, plums, violets, spices, and olives. It’s bold but still fresh, silky, and smooth and pairs perfectly with summer’s favorite dish—grilled meat. At Rare Society, we pair this wine with beautiful cuts of wagyu Australian tri-tip, which is known for its rich and robust beefy flavor. This wine has enough structure, and tannins to balance out the marbling in the wagyu, making it the perfect pairing for a special occasion like Father’s Day or a summer grill out.”
8. Grilled Mushrooms and Provençal-Style Rosé
The Wine:Tank Garage 2021 Wild Child Rosé, $28The Pairing: According to Tank Garage General Manager Ed Feuchuk, rosés come in many shades and styles, but few are as crisp and refreshing as Provençal-style rosé. “While some rosés are made by bleeding off excess juice from a red wine, we pick grapes specifically for rosé and employ minimal skin contact to limit harsh extraction,” he explains. “The banner elements of a Provençal-style rosé include a light salmon color and crisp acidity. Our Wild Child rosé is full of fresh-cut strawberry flavors, minerality and an exhilarating finish. These elements pair nicely with the unctuous, savory flavors of grilled mushrooms kebabs or tacos.” Pro tip: Use oyster mushrooms over portobello or button if you can find them.
9. Sparkling Wine & Grilled Shrimp and Goat Cheese Salad
The Wine Pick:Sofia Blanc de Blancs, $19The Pairing: “One of my favorite things about summer are the nights with my girlfriends, when we all gather in my backyard with a bottle of Sofia Blanc de Blancs,” says Andrea Card, director of winemaking at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. “This is a sparkling wine we make that Francis Coppola named for his only daughter. Opening it feels celebratory; I love to serve it with grilled shrimp and a goat cheese salad. The bright and citrusy flavors of the wine are perfect for the sweet shrimp, creamy cheese and tangy vinaigrette. It’s a perfect summer meal.”
10. Cabernet Sauvignon & Tuscan White Bean Salad
The Wine Pick:Beringer Vineyards 2018 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $36The Pairing: According to Ryan Rech, chief winemaker and general manager at Beringer Vineyards in Napa Valley, summer is great for crisp, fresh white wines, but don’t underestimate the versatility of a great red. “This Cab hails from the lesser known, under-explored Knights Valley in California, which produces what I like to call wild—but also elegant—red wines with velvety tannins and incredible depth. While this wine stands up nicely to hefty grilled beef dishes coming off the grill, it also pairs beautifully with lighter fare, like a Tuscan white bean salad.” Next: 100 More Easy Summer Dinner Ideas
