Late Summer Wine Pairings
By
Maureen Rooney, Wine Consultant
Siesta Key Wines
Pairing late summer wines with grilled foods is especially fun and interesting because summer is a time to celebrate fresh foods and bold flavors that entice the palate. Here is our twist on celebrating the end of summer with delicious foods and new ideas on wine pairing.
The number one favorite seafood in our area is our famous Florida Grouper. Try pairing grilled Florida grouper, or even Basa, with Taxboexa Albarino from Spain. Albarino has a nice minerality and a more interesting palate than chardonnay. Give this a try and you may never go back to chardonnay!
Grilled chicken is typically paired with chardonnay but we found that Anne Amie Pinot Gris from Oregon is a much better choice for summer. Lots of fruity notes complement the smoky flavor of the grilled chicken. This is also an excellent wine paired with grilled zucchini kabobs with green peppers, mushrooms and onions. Marinated in a little garlic and low sodium soy sauce will give those veggies an extra kick!
Since veggies are in abundance this time of year, take advantage of your gardens and pull together a simple salad of sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet onions. Toss with a few sprinkles turmeric salt for an easy bright salad to enjoy with a a light Sauvignon Blanc such as Momo from New Zealand. See the photo below from our friends at Food and Wine!
For the Salmon lover, try grilled salmon with our favorite Bila Haut Cote du Roussillon. A beautiful blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, yet light enough to replace Pinot Noir.
Pork chops are also great on the grill. The flavors are enhanced when paired with Bodegas Castano Monastrell from Spain. Monastrell, or Mouvedre in France, is a spicy and savory grape with earthy notes. Lots of flavor yet light enough not to overpower the pork.
Another light meat that is great on the grill is Lamb Chops which pairs perfectly with the dark, fruity Seven Sinners Old Vine Petite Syrah from Lodi. Creamy garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus rounds out this dish quite well….but then again, garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus compliments just about any dish!
When you mention steak, everyone has their favorite cut. But whichever is your favorite, you can kick it up a notch by serving it with a hearty and robust Malbec by Zorzal from Argentina instead of the usual Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine received 93 points from Robert Parker and will enhance the flavors in any type of steak!
And saving the best for last, what we have all been waiting for….The Grand Finale…that’s right my friends...The Great American Cheeseburger!! Awesomely paired with an All-American Zinfandel, such as, Le Lapin from Paso Robles!
Remember, you can find these great small production wines at Siesta Key Wines in the Village! We’ll show you the wines….you just gotta do the grillin’! Leftovers accepted here daily!
Siesta Key Wines
5138C Ocean Blvd.
Siesta Key, FL 34242
941-552-9105
http://www.siestakeywines.com/
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