French Wine Pairings to Brighten Your Seasonal Meals

Sunny days and warm evenings are finally here, which means it’s time to enjoy delicious summer meals paired with the finest French wines. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue in your garden or planning a picnic on the beach, discover the best pairings to enjoy your summer meals!

Meat or salad this summer? For both, we have a selection of wine pairings that will satisfy you all summer long, so keep reading ;) 

1/ Salad and wine pairing

As the sun shines bright and the temperatures rise, there’s no better time to indulge in refreshing summer salads paired with exquisite French wines.

SALADE NICOISE AND ROSÉ:

 

salad nicoise with wine

Let’s start with a classic summer salad, the Salade Niçoise. This vibrant and refreshing dish, composed of juicy tomatoes, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, green beans, and olives, pairs perfectly with a chilled rosé wine. The fruity aromas and lightness of rosé beautifully complement the Mediterranean flavors of this salad.

Discover our Via Caritatis Rosé 

CAPRESE SALAD AND CHARDONNAY: 

Caprese salad with wine

Another iconic summer salad is the Caprese Salad, featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. To enhance the creamy mozzarella and tangy tomatoes, opt for a crisp and unoaked Chardonnay. The wine’s citrusy notes and subtle acidity will accentuate the salad’s flavors, creating a delightful harmony.

Discover our Chardonnay wines!

WATERMELON SALAD AND SAUVIGNON BLANC: 

WATERMELON AND WINE

When it comes to combating summer heat, a refreshing Watermelon Salad is a true winner. This salad, combining juicy watermelon, feta cheese, mint leaves, and a sprinkle of lime juice, pairs wonderfully with a zesty Sauvignon Blanc. The wine’s vibrant acidity and tropical fruit characteristics complement the sweet and juicy watermelon, creating a delightful balance.

Discover our Sauvignon Blanc wines! 

GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD AND PINOT GRIS:

CHICKEN SALAD AND WINE

For those seeking a heartier option, a Grilled Chicken Salad is a fantastic choice. Featuring succulent grilled chicken, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette, this salad calls for a crisp and dry Pinot Grigio. The wine’s refreshing acidity and delicate flavors won’t overpower the salad, allowing the ingredients to shine through.

Discover our Pinot Gris!

QUINOA SALAD AND VIOGNIER: 

QUINOA SALAD AND WINE

Quinoa salads have gained popularity due to their versatility and health benefits. Whether it’s a Quinoa Greek Salad or a Quinoa Avocado Salad, these nutritious dishes pair beautifully with a medium-bodied Viognier. The wine’s aromatic profile, with notes of stone fruit and floral hints, complements the nuttiness of quinoa and adds a touch of elegance to the salad.

Discover our Viognier wines! 

2/ Grill & Grape: Exploring french wine pairings for barbecue

Grilled meats are an essential part of any summer meal. But don’t be too hasty when it comes to choosing the right beverage to accompany your grilled meats. There’s a wine for every grill!

GRILLED STEAK AND BORDEAUX:

GRILLED STEAK AND WINE

When it comes to grilled steak, nothing beats a classic Bordeaux. The rich, bold flavors of the steak harmonize beautifully with the robust tannins and dark fruit characteristics of Bordeaux wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. The wine’s structure and depth perfectly complement the smoky and charred notes from the grill, creating a match made in heaven.

Discover our Bordeaux wines! 

BARBECUED RIBS AND SYRAH: 

RIBS AND WINE

Succulent barbecued ribs, coated in a tangy and sticky sauce, deserve a wine that can hold its own. Look no further than a Syrah. The wine’s bold flavors, hints of black pepper, and smoky undertones are the perfect counterpoint to the intense flavors and textures of barbecued ribs. The synergy between the wine and the meat will leave your taste buds craving more.

Discover our Syrah wines! 

GRILLED CHICKEN AND CHARDONNAY: 

CHICKEN AND WINE

Grilled chicken, with its tender and juicy meat, calls for a white wine that can complement its flavors without overpowering them. A lightly oaked Chardonnay strikes the right balance. The wine’s buttery texture and subtle notes of vanilla and oak enhance the smoky flavors of grilled chicken, creating a delightful combination that is both refreshing and satisfying.

Discover our Chardonnay wines! 

GRILLED VEGETABLES AND SAUVIGNON BLANC:

BARBEC VEGETABLES WINE

Grilled vegetables, with their charred edges and smoky flavors, offer a delightful vegetarian option for barbecue lovers. To enhance the natural sweetness of the vegetables, a vibrant and herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice. The wine’s zesty acidity and lively citrus notes cut through the grilled flavors and add a refreshing touch to each bite

Discover our Sauvignon Blanc wines! 

3/ Fancy some meat, but don’t feel like warming up by cooking it?

Do you like fish or beef tartare? You can make them with vegetables, such as cucumber, tomato and feta tartar, with its tasty Mediterranean touches. Cucumber is essentially composed of water, so play the freshness card by pairing it with bubbles or fine, light white wines, such as a Bourgogne aligoté.

Try our Aligoté wine! 

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If you make a great discovery, whether that be from our club shipments, wine cellar  or elsewhere, if our guide helped you, be sure to take a picture and tag @sommailierwineclub on Instagram or somMailier on Facebook! We look forward to seeing your wine adventures!

Want to learn more about French wine? We’re here to help! Why not check out our French wine club? Every three months we send direct to your door three or six bottles of boutique French wines which have been carefully selected by wine experts in France along with detailed information about each wine and food pairing ideas to help you really discover French wine. And as if that wasn’t enough, we also have a wine club gift option for that special wine lover in your life!

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