The Top Wine Pairings For All Your Favourite Summer Dishes
With Summer in full swing (apparently) many people are taking advantage of the warmer weather, or at least planning to whenever the sun decides to re-pop back up! And with the easing of the lockdown offering a ‘new normal’ for a lot of us we are re-introduced to a popular dining trend - dining alfresco. Whether it’s due to ease, simplicity or social distancing, alfresco dining has skyrocketed this year with an increase in picnics in our local parks, grilling in our gardens and BBQing with our friends and families and with all that delicious grub up for grabs, you need to have the perfect bottle to pair with it. So, we have quizzed Ben Revell, Founder and CEO of Winebuyers (who connect wine lovers, like us, directly with some of the best vineyards, specialist merchants and distilleries in the world, all at the touch of a button) to share their expertise in pairing all our favourite summer dishes with a suitable bottle to suit the palate and give you one less thing to worry about - so you can just eat and drink to your hearts content - isn’t that what summer is truly about, anyways?
Burgers and Bangers
Perfect Pairing: A Fruity Red
This staple of the American cook-out has since become the smell of British summer. Whether you prefer mustard, relish or ketchup - red meat calls for a red wine, preferably fruity, with a higher alcohol content to aid digestion of the protein. Chilean wines are known for their herbal and oaky properties, and you need an ambitious bottle that is capable of standing up to both red meat and your choice of condiment. Grown in Chile, Colchagua Valley with Carmenère grapes and boasting a 14% ABV, Winebuyers recommends this Vix Manent Secret Carmenere 2017 (£11.70) which has an intense purple colour with aromas of ripe cherries and blackberries, along with fine herbs and fresh tobacco. It’s medium-bodied, well balanced, smooth texture and pleasing finish make it the perfect bottle to pair with all your BBQ’d meats.
Grilled Halloumi
Perfect Pairing: A Vibrant Rosé
Halloumi has quickly become the vegetarian summer staple, taking the place of beetroot and goat cheese tarts, with good reason. When grilled, it retains its moisture and structure and compliments a whole host of dressings and accompaniments. For the wine, think pink. The thirst-quenching quality of Rosé works wonderfully with the saltiness of halloumi. Grown in Serbia, Winebuyers recommends this award-winning Erdevik Roza Nostra 2017 (£10.89) which uses a Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety, is 13.5% ABV and is packed with flavours of strawberry, cherry and peach, alongside refreshing citrus and a touch of minerality. It’s full-bodied, vibrant acidity and perfect precision on the palate make it the perfect bottle to pair with halloumi or your favourite cheese board.
Charcuterie Board
Perfect Pairing: Light, Young Red
Too much preparation can be unwelcome in the summer heat, and charcuterie boards are almost effortless. These French-inspired meat boards only require you to slice and swallow. Light, young reds, like a Beaujolais, are the only recourse here. Want to learn how to make the ultimate board, read our step-by-step here. Winebuyers recommends this 13% ABV bottle - a Louis Latour, Morgon Les Corcelettes 2018 (£18.89) which comes from France, Beaujolais and uses the Gamay grape variety. Its subtle, floral aromas accompany flavours of blackberries and spices. Beautiful, silky tannins characterise the finish making it the perfect bottle to pair with a wide variety of delicatessen meats.
Caprese Salad
Perfect Pairing: Light Young Whites
This red, white and green salad perfectly surmises Italy and its endless summers. The light ingredients: tomatoes, mozzarella and basil are beautifully balanced and call for a similarly light, young white wine to harmonise with the refreshing uplifting flavours. Grown in Italy using Cortese grapes Winebuyers recommend this Il Poggio Gavi Di Gavi 2018 (£17.20) which has a 12.5% ABV and a wonderful minerality with aromas of lime. Flavours of green apples, lime and lemons complement the crisp acidity of this light white making it the perfect dish to pair with a range of salad dishes.
Grilled Seafood
Perfect Pairing: Crisp, Dry White
From shrimp and scallops to salmon and cod, anything goes when it comes to grilling seafood. These fresh, flavoursome dishes come alive with zesty, crisp white wines like Chardonnay. The acidity brightens the flavour of seafood, almost like a squirt of fresh lemon juice. Grown in Italy, Veneto and using a combination of Chardonnay and Garganega grapes Winebuyers recommends this Biscardo, Oropasso, Veneto, Italy, 2017 (£10.99) which has a 13% ABV and is crisp and zingy with a citrus driven acidity. Delicate aromas of flora, yellow plum and ripe apricot. Freshness and charming minerality pair perfectly with shellfish or meatier fish, such as Turbot.