Great Garden State Wines To Uncork With Classic Summer Dishes
During the summer, it just feels like there are more excuses to open a delicious bottle(s) of New Jersey wine. We all spend more time outside relaxing with friends, eating home-grilled meals, hosting family at our home, and heading out on sun-kissed adventures.
So what’s the perfect wine to pair with BBQs, grill-outs, late-night chill-outs, pool times, sailing trips, or picnics? The best answer is always: the one that you’re in the mood for right now.
That said, there’s nothing like a zippy Sauvy B or crisp rosé when it’s paired with just the right bite and activity. Want your food and wine pairings to really sing this summer? Read on for classic flavor mash-ups, courtesy of New Jersey’s great winemakers.
Pair Pinot Noir With BBQ
The first rule with wine and food pairings is that there are no rules. But there are a few key guidelines that will keep your palate happy.
While you can pair a heavy, sauced up meat dish with a robust Zinfandel (generally the BBQ go-to), why force your food and wine to duke it out? With dishes like brisket or ribs, pair a fruit-forward Pinot Noir like Alba Vineyard’s Estate Pinot Noir. The rich, seductive wine with black and red cherry notes is a perfect accompaniment to the flavorful, smoky meats.
Pair Sauvignon Blanc With Grilled Chicken or Fish
Sauvy B’s citrus-brightness coupled with its herbaceous zest complements and rounds out all of the flavors in your grilled chicken, fish and veggie dishes. Serve it chilled, but not ice cold to really let the pairing sing. The Halcyon blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier from Autumn Lake offers ripe orchard fruit notes, mangos and white peaches, complexity, and just enough weight to stand up to lighter poultry and fish, but also fried chicken, mozzarella sticks, pigs in a blanket, et al.
Pair Pét-Nat With Late Night Revelry
Every summer has—or should have—a few late nights that push toward dawn. The next time you find yourself at a late night dance party around a campfire, invite us, because we’re in.
And also, pop open a Pétillant Naturel, or Pét-Nat. This ultra-fun bubble style is made of naturally sparkling wine that is made in a manner that predates the method used in Champagne. Essentially, it’s a natural shortcut to fun, zippy, fruit-forward flavors and bubbles. Bellview’s Pét-Nat Rosé, made from Petit Verdot has flavors of raspberry and cherry that explode out of glass. Pair it with too-loud music and laughter, s’mores, that YOLO summer feeling.
Pair Pinot Grigio With Lazy Pool Days
Hot days by the pool call for light, brightly tropical, laid-back—but never boring—Pinot Grigio.
Pinot Grigio is refreshing, and great on its own, but is also perfect with pool snacks: popcorn, salty-sweet nuts, crudite and cheese. This Pinot Grigio from Hawk Haven offers up notes of crisp pears, pineapple and lemon bar.
Pair Chardonnay With Sailing or Motor Boat Fun
A day of revelry on the water calls for a wine with enough personality to stand up to the motion of the ocean.
Chardonnay is one of the most popular and versatile grapes on the planet, and whether you like a richer, oak-aged version, or a mineral-driven citrusy white, White Horse has a version that will fill your cup. Go for the Barrel Fermented for a richer expression, or the Estate for a crisp and white sip.
Pair Riesling With Relaxed Picnic Fare
A nice chilled Riesling offers up flavors of bright fruit flavors and citrus notes. It pairs with fresh, aged and smoked cheese, raw oysters, fresh shellfish, spicy noodle dishes and savory and sweet salads. Angelico’s Riesling delivers nectarines, honey-crisp apples, jasmine and lime.
Whatever floats your boat this summer, make sure you pack plenty of Garden State wine. Cheers!
