Summer Wine Guide
Michael Mohammadi
Issue date: 6/15/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Nothing beats a warm summer night spent eating grilled cuisine and drinking good wine with close friends and family. To maximize your eating and drinking pleasure this summer, follow this wine guide for general food and wine pairing tips and advice on what kind of wine to share at your next cookout.
Basics of food and wine pairings: There is only one rule when pairing food and wine: drink what you like. Beyond that, there are an endless number of options as to what wines should be served with a particular dish. Keeping these few tips in mind can help when trying to decide on which wines to enjoy with any meal:
Consider the main flavors and components of the food and try to either match them or provide contrast with the wine. If a dish is acidic, choose a wine that has a good amount of acidity to stand up to it. If the dish is spicy, try a Syrah or Zinfandel which complement spiciness with their own strong flavor. A crisp white wine generally works well with fried foods and shellfish because it has a contrasting flavor that refreshes the palate. That said, a creamy Chardonnay is a classic pairing with lobster or creamy chicken dishes. Basically, it comes down to whatever works for you.
Food and wines that grow together go together. If you're having a Spanish meal, get a Rioja; if it's Italian, try a wine from Tuscany or Piedmont.
Bringing wine to a barbecue or party: At some point this summer you'll probably attend a barbeque where you've been asked to bring a bottle of wine. It's always a good idea to ask the host what foods will be served and find out if there is a need for anything specific (such as a sparkling wine). With grilled meats, I'd recommend a Zinfandel, Syrah, or Malbec. Grilled fish and chicken go great with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc. Also, one of my favorite pairings is grilled salmon with a good Pinot Noir (check out the 2007 Cono Sur Pinot Noir: this Chilean Pinot is budget-friendly at $10 and quite enjoyable).
Wine serving tips:
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* The best way to chill a white or sparkling wine is in a bucket of ice. Don't be afraid to put a bottle of red wine in the ice bucket if it's too warm (over 70 degrees): the warmer the wine, the more the alcohol (and flaws) stand out.
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* When pouring wine on a warm night, small pours are better. This ensures that the wine in the glass doesn't get too warm and undrinkable.
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* Keep a dump bucket around so people don't feel obligated to drink wines they don't like.
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* Always keep plenty of water around and stay hydrated. It's easy to get dehydrated when you're drinking a few glasses of wine and sitting near a warm grill. And always remember to assign a designated drive or use public transportation when drinking. There is no worse way to ruin a great night than ending up in jail or getting in an alcohol related accident.
Great wines for the summer:
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* Prosecco: A crowd favorite, this Italian sparkling wine tends to be crisp, acidic and filled with great citrus and apple flavors. Serve chilled to kick off a warm summer night.
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* Gewurztraminer: This white wine grape produces medium bodied wines that are characteristically spicy. The best Gewurztraminer comes from Alsace (France) and Germany, but you can find great values from around the world. Look to pair Gewurztraminer with grilled chicken, fish or my favorite pairing: spicy Thai food.
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* Dry White Port: A spring and summer cocktail in Portugal consists of equal parts dry white Port wine and tonic water, poured over ice and served with a lime wedge. Invite some friends over and break out this simple cocktail for a surefire way to impress your guests!
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* Dessert Wines: Icewine, Sauternes, or a variety of Port wine are great on a warm summer evening. Serve them slightly chilled with a variety of cheeses and desserts as a great way to end an outdoor meal.
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* Gamay: More specifically Cru Beaujolais from France's Burgundy wine region. These wines tend to be lighter than most reds and have flavors of cherry, strawberry, cranberry and minerals. Cru Beaufolais are great with chicken or fish, as well as a variety of vegetarian dishes.
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* Malbec: Argentina is known for their barbecued beef. Lucky for them, they are also good at making world-class Malbec. These wines have big flavors of dark fruits, sizable tannins (the component of wine that makes your mouth feel dry), and flavors of earth and spice. These features make this an obvious choice for pairing with grilled red meats.