Entertaining

Summer wines to dine with

Summer wines to dine with

Author: Canadian Living

Entertaining

Summer wines to dine with

Chenin Blanc: This white grape variety is used in the Loire Valley (France) to produce a range of wine styles from dry to sparkling to very sweet (such as the famous Vouvray). Dry Chenin Blanc is a great summer wine, with good examples from France and South Africa or blends from California and Australia.

Pinot Gris
: This white grape with grey to pink skin in the Pinot family makes a range of white and pale rose wines, including rich whites in Alsace (France) and Germany and the more familiar light, dry Pinot Grigio of Italy. Look for excellent New World Pinot Gris wines from New Zealand, California and British Columbia.

Viognier
: This white grape variety grows in the Rhone Valley (France) and parts of Australia, South America, South Africa and California. It makes intense, dry white wine with peach/apricot flavours and flowery bouquet.

Barbera: A red grape variety from Piemonte (Italy), Barbera produces wonderful medium-bodied red wines with deep colour, low tannins, bright fruit and high acidity. Some of the best examples are Barbera d’Asti (made in Asti) and Barbera d’Alba (made in Alba).

Malbec: This red grape variety, primarily from Argentina (originally grown to make blending wines in Bordeaux, France), is now better known for making powerful, deeply coloured South American reds with ripe fruit, soft tannins and naturally high acidity.

Tempranillo: This red grape variety is grown widely in northern Spain, Portugal and Argentina and produces very good-quality red wines with ripe cherry/plum flavours.

Tip: To chill your summer bottles in just 20 minutes, fill bucket two-thirds full with equal parts cold water and ice. Submerge bottle up to neck; speed it up a bit more by tossing in a handful of rock salt.

Page 1 of 2 -- Consult our handy chart for perfect food and wine parings on page 2

Our chart below is the perfect reference point when you're planning a summer feast for company. From grilled backyard burgers to delicate heirloom tomatoes, there's a wine to suit any meal.

Food: Wine pairing:
Caesar Salad White: Oaky (New World) Chardonnay
Chicken White: Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Blanc
Red: Pinot Noir, Gamay/Beaujolais, Rosé
Corn on the Cob White: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris (Alsace)
Freshwater fish White: Sauvignon Blanc (Loire Valley), unoaked Chardonnay, dry Riesling, Pinot Gris, dry Chenin Blanc
Grilled mushrooms White: Chardonnay (white Burgundy)
Red: Pinot Noir, Chianti
Grilled Vegetables White: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, dry Riesling, Chenin Blanc
Red: Gamay/Beaujolais
Hamburgers Red: Pinot Noir (New World), Zinfandel, Shiraz/Syrah, Barbera
Heirloom Tomatoes White: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
Lamb Red: Cabernet-based blends, Tempranillo/Rioja, Shiraz/Syrah, Malbec
Mixed Greens White: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Vinho Verde
Pork Tenderloin White: Riesling
Red: Rosé, Gamay/Beaujolais, Barbera
Quail Red: Pinot Noir, Tempranillo/Rioja
Ribs Red: Shiraz/Syrah, Malbec, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon (New World)
Salmon White: Oaky Chardonnay
Red: Rosé, Pinot Noir
Smoked fish White: Sauvignon Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc
Steak (Filet) Red: Pinot Noir, Barbera
Steak (Sirloin) Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet-based blends, Malbec, Shiraz/Syrah

This story originally appeared in the 2008 Canadian Living Market Fresh Special Issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

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Summer wines to dine with

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