Perfect Pairings for the 4th of July
The fourth of July offers up a whole feast of amazing wine pairing opportunities! While it may traditionally be focused around beer, it’s also the perfect time to pop open a bottle of nice, chilled white from America’s heartland of wine — Napa Valley. Check out some of my favorite summer pairings below!
Larry Hyde – Hyde Vineyard Estate Chardonnay 2015
Pair it with: Homemade Mac’n’Cheese
Price $60
Appellation: Carneros, Napa Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
More details here.
With expressive notes of spring flowers, bright apple, pear, ripe gooseberry, and peach, this Chardonnay is perfect for hot summer weather. The palate is full-bodied and supple in texture, making it the perfect combo for a homemade creamy mac and cheese. It has the perfect acidity to cut through the cheesy goodness, and slight notes of butter and cream, making it the ideal compliment for the pasta all around. Add some toasted bread crumbs to the mac’n’cheese and it’ll bring out the wine’s toasty characteristics. Mac’n’cheese with chardonnay is one of my all-time-faves, and this one in particular is perfect for summer pairing with its fruity notes. Complex enough to drink on its own, but enough complimentary flavors to pair with a range of dishes.
Silverado Vineyards – Miller Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Pair it with: Lobster Roll
Price: $25
Appellation: Yountville
Varietals: 94% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Sémillon
More details here.
For those of you who are seafood fans, this is the perfect pairing. This Silverado Vineyards Miller Ranch Sauvignon Blanc has hints of lemongrass, citrus, and tropical aromas on the nose. Since it was 100% tank fermented with no malolactic fermentation, it’s predominantly fruit-forward showcasing juicy red grapefruit, tangerine, and lime, bursting with juicy acidity and a lingering finish. Pair it with a fresh lobster roll with lemon squeezed over top to bring out the citrus flavors in the wine. You’ll find it a refreshingly summery combination!
Acre – Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Pair it with: Turkey Burger with Avocado and Gouda
Price: $19
Appellation: Pope Valley, Napa
Varietals: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
More details here.
Generously aromatic with a range of citrus notes, juicy ripe grapefruit, and Anjou pear, this is
another stunning example of a summer-ready Napa Sauvignon Blanc. Acre produces sustainably-farmed vines in the heart of Pope Valley– an area located between Howell Mountain and Chiles Valley, where the elevation and cooling influence of the San Pablo Bay provide an ideal climate to properly ripen Sauvignon Blanc. The juicy acidity with pair nicely with a turkey burger topped with avocado or guacamole (especially if it’s a mango guac!) and gouda. My mouth is drooling just thinking about it!
Kenefick Ranch – Pickett Road White 2016
Pair it with: Lemon-herb grilled chicken
Price: $24
Appellation: Calistoga
Varietals: 60% Grenache Blanc, 30% Marsanne, 10% Viognier
More details here.
100% Estate-grown fruit and sustainably farmed in Calistoga, this wine displays nuances of lime zest, orange blossom, lemon meringue filling and a crisp, underlined, well-balanced structure and mouthfeel. As recommended by the wine-maker, it’s perfect pairing for sitting on the patio and sipping. I also love pairing it with lemon-herb grilled chicken! It’s one of those bottles that I tend to pour while standing out by the grill, and I’m lucky if there’s any left by the time I sit down for dinner! 😉
Priest Ranch – Grenache Blanc 2017
Pair it with: BBQ Wings
Price: $22
Appellation: Napa Valley
Varietal: Grenache Blanc
More details here.
One of my all-time favorite foods for warm summer days, sporting events, or just curling up on the patio with a book is BBQ chicken wings! Nothing gets me so excited, but it can be a tough one to pair with wine, especially when you’re craving a crisp, chilled white. Helloooooo Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc. Of course, it will depend on what sauce you’re using specifically, but I find this one pairs nicely with most. On the nose, it’s an aromatic white with bright aromas of peach, melons, and honeysuckle. There’s a sharp acidity that cuts through the grease and a minerality that compliments the spices and herbs in BBQ chicken. With citrus and asian pear notes, It would also pair nicely with Thai food or Chinese if you’re having one of those days where it’s too hot to cook.
What’s your favorite summer white wine pairing? I’d love to hear below!
Don’t forget I also have an array of Napa rosés that are perfect for summer. Check out that article here.
xoxo