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There is a wine pairing for every style and season of food, from southern cuisine to hearty winter meals. Summer dinners are no exception. The produce is at its peak, the grilling season is in full swing, and both lighter, brighter wines and a few red wines can find their perfect match. Understanding a few basic principles of pairing, such as matching intensity, balancing acidity, and complementing flavor profiles, can transform a simple summer meal into a memorable one. Afton Mountain Vineyards offers a range of wines perfectly suited to warm-weather entertaining, from crisp whites to structured reds, each with its own personality and ideal food companions. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or a light picnic, there’s an Afton Mountain wine to elevate the meal.
Key takeaways from this guide to summer food wine pairings include:
- Red blends like the Echoterra pair beautifully with smoky, grilled foods such as vegetable skewers and barbecue chicken.
- Rosé and Sparkling Rosé are ideal wines to drink with a summer meal built around seafood, charcuterie, and fresh fruit.
- Cabernet Franc goes well with herb-marinated grilled meats and tomato-based dishes.
- Chardonnay is delightful with chicken salad or pasta primavera.
- Merlot’s velvety texture pairs well with hearty vegetarian dishes like stuffed peppers and seasonal eggplant parmesan.
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The Echoterra is a red blend composed of 23% Merlot, 57% Petit Verdot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep ruby in color, is has aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and violet, alongside notes of cedar, graphite, and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is rich and structured, showcasing the dark fruit intensity of Petit Verdot balanced by the plush texture of Merlot and the firm backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon.
For summer food wine pairings, grilled vegetable skewers are an excellent match. The smoky char enhances the wine’s complexity. Barbecue chicken is another great option, as the sweet and tangy sauce plays beautifully against the wine’s depth. Since bold reds can feel heavy in summer heat, consider serving the Echoterra slightly cooler than room temperature, around 60-65°F, to keep its flavors and aromas bright and food-friendly.
Rosé and Sparkling Rosé
Afton Mountain’s Rosé is made from 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, produced using a direct press method where red berries are gently pressed immediately after crushing. Cool fermentation preserves its vibrant acidity, and the wine is aged five months in stainless steel. The result is a delicate pale salmon wine with aromas of fresh fruit and rose, a crisp palate of stone fruit and citrus, and a refreshing finish.
The Sparkling Rosé (watch for it to return to the tasting room and sale shelves in a few months), a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, is produced using the classic champagne method with secondary fermentation and twelve months of aging in bottle. This debut vintage offers fresh aromatics, bright acidity, and a dry, mineral finish with the feel of a fine mousse.
When considering what wine to drink with a summer meal built around seafood, both rosés excel. Fresh oysters, shrimp, or grilled fish complement the acidity and effervescence of these wines. A platter of prosciutto, goat cheese, and fresh fruit also makes a wonderful pairing, whether as an appetizer or a light meal on its own. For an elevated tasting experience, start with the Sparkling Rosé and transition into the still Rosé. Both should always be served well-chilled to maximize their refreshing character.
Made from 100% estate-grown fruit, Afton Mountain’s Loire Valley-style Cabernet Franc is a delicate, light red with fresh red fruit aromatics and good acidity on the finish. The winemakers use carbonic maceration to emphasize and preserve that fresh and aromatic hint of fruit flavor.
So what to pair with Cabernet Franc? This wine is a lovely choice for summer grilling and picnics. Herb-marinated meats, such as grilled chicken or lamb, enhance the wine’s herbal notes. Tomato-based dishes, like a fresh tomato salad or pasta with a light tomato sauce, also pair well with the wine’s fruity profile.
This vintage of Chardonnay is fermented using 30% stainless steel and 70% neutral French oak. This dual approach preserves the freshness and acidity of the fruit while the oak-aged portion contributes a rounder mouthfeel to the overall blend.
For white wine and food pairings, this Chardonnay is especially versatile. A chilled chicken salad with herbs and a light dressing complements the wine’s flavors and travels well for a picnic. Pasta primavera, featuring seasonal vegetables and a drizzle of olive oil, is another beautiful match for the wine’s balance of richness and acidity.
The 2023 Merlot benefits from excellent ripeness and is smooth and velvety. Afton Mountain Vineyards ages their Merlot for 20 months in French oak. Merlot may seem like a heavy wine for a summer meal but there are some amazing options.
For a heartier summer food wine pairing, try stuffed peppers filled with quinoa, black beans, and spices which is a dish substantial enough to stand up to the Merlot’s structure. Eggplant parmesan is another excellent match, as the richness of the cheese and earthiness of the eggplant harmonize with the wine’s profile. This pairing is especially rewarding in late summer and early fall, when eggplant is at its peak and freshest for cooking.
