Summertime is such an exciting time for cuisine. This is the season for salads, grilled meats, and as much seafood as you can get your hands on. And of course, no summer meal is complete without a glass of wine that offers complexity to your recipe.
Wine can (and should) act as an ingredient on the table. Follow this guide for red and white wine pairing tips for the summer, as well as our favorite summertime picks from our Yountville winery.
Choosing wine in the summertime
In the summertime, acidity and fresh fruit flavors hit the spot. And while white wine, rosé, and sparkling wine seem like a better fit, don’t give up on your love of red wine. Even our Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon has a special place at the summertime dinner table.
When you’re thinking about your red wine, choose bottles with bright acidity to pair with heavier fish and cream-based dishes. And if you’re firing up the grill, be sure to have a red wine ready too.
White wines that express herbaceous, citrus notes, and rosé with light red fruit aromas will be excellent pairings to your summer salads, white meat, and appetizers that feature summer ingredients like bruschetta or watermelon feta salad.
Pairing Tips From Our Yountville Winery
From our Farina Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc to our Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, here are our favorite wines and summer dishes to pair.
Cornerstone Cellars Farina Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
This crisp, aromatic white wine is an excellent choice for summer. Pair it with light, fresh dishes like chilled seafood salad, grilled shrimp with citrus salsa, or goat cheese and arugula salad. The wine’s citrus and herbal notes will complement the bright flavors of these dishes.
Cornerstone Cellars Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir
This versatile red wine can be enjoyed slightly chilled during the warmer months. Pair it with grilled salmon, roasted chicken with herbs, or a mushroom spinach pizza. The wine’s medium-bodied profile, red fruit flavors, and gentle tannins will complement the richness and flavors of these dishes.
Cornerstone Cellars Oakville Station Cabernet Sauvignon
For those who prefer a bolder red wine, pair this with grilled steak, lamb chops with rosemary, or a bacon cheeseburger. The wine’s robust structure, dark fruit flavors, and firm tannins will complement the savory and robust flavors of these dishes.