Enhance your fare’s flavors with these expert-picked pairings:
Pinot noir with sustainable fish: Team your pinot with an ocean-friendly seafood choice like grilled wild Alaskan salmon or farmed Arctic char. Not only sustainable, these fish picks are also lower in contaminants than other ocean grilling selections, like imported shrimp and swordfish. Choose a lightly chilled Reserve Pinot Noir from Cooper Mountain in Oregon ($22), suggests Maggie Hoffman, drinks editor at Serious Eats. “It’s silky and mineral-ly, with a bit of cassis and dusty cocoa flavor,” Hoffman explains. “Light enough not to overwhelm your food’s flavors.” Other pinot noir-friendly food pairings: Steak, shellfish, cooked greens, sausage, and bacon 12 Fish To Stay Away From
Grüner Veltliner with salad: This vino is a lighter-bodied white wine made from grapes typically grown in Austria, Slovakia, or the Czech Republic. Hoffman recommends Grüner Veltliner from biodynamic estates in Austria, including Hofer, Hirsch, or Nikolaihof (starting at $15). Try it with a Greek salad to keep things light and refreshing. Other Grüner Veltliner–friendly food pairings: Chilled summer soups, seafood, and vegetables
Chardonnay with grilled chicken & Swiss chard: Chardonnay’s delicate edge makes it a fine companion to lighter fare like grilled poultry, veggie dishes, fruit salads, and seafood. Try CalNaturale’s chardonnay ($6.99 to $12.99) that features hints of apples, pear, and citrus. Plus, it’s packaged in an eco-friendly box that has half the carbon footprint of traditional glass wine bottles. Other chardonnay-friendly food pairings: Veggie kabobs, grilled corn on the cob, and fresh summer fruit salads with watermelon, raspberries, and strawberries 7 Fruity Summer Salads
Cabernet with portobellos or eggplant: Full-bodied cabernet is a no-no when it comes to grease-laden foods like hotdogs, but it’s the perfect complement to a meat alternative like portobello mushroom caps or eggplant. For an option made from organic grapes, try CalNaturale’s Cabernet Sauvignon ($6.99 to $12.99), with flavors of berry fruits and aromas of spicy black currants. Bonterra ($10.50) also offers a tasty cabernet made from organic grapes. Other cab-friendly food pairings: Seafood with dark sauces, cheese, pesto-based dishes, root veggies like beets, potatoes, and carrots, and summer fruit bowls with blackberries, boysenberries, and cherries
Rosé with grilled pizza: Rosé wines are sweeter and lower in alcohol content. For a wine that pleases your palate and promotes fair trade and organic farming, go for Stellar Organic’s Shiraz Rosé ($10) from South Africa. Try pairing it with a veggie grilled pizza for meat-free summer fare (Need a recipe? Check out 7 savory grilled pizza recipes). Other rosé-friendly food pairings: Tomato sauce–based pasta dishes, hotdogs, and salmon
