Umbrella cocktails are fun, but nothing beats a great bottle of wine for a refreshing way to toast your health and all the fun you're having this summer!
Wine educator and sommelier Paul Cappiali of VERO Restaurant & Wine Bar in NYC gave us his top wine picks to pair with scrumptious SELF recipes for every summer occasion. Cheers!
1. A lazy Sunday afternoon picnic.
Whip up a batch of Sheryl Crow's Roasted-Potato Salad With Sweet Corn and Cider Vinegar, grab a big blanket, and off you go!
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Pair it with ... Langlois-Chateau Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc), Loire Valley, France. Cappiali says: The freshness of this Sauvignon Blanc works beautifully with picnic food like roasted potato salad and the higher acidity and minerality of this wine will complement the cider vinegar dressing. Price: about $20.
2. A HOT, HOT night.
Can't bear to get near your stove or even the grill? Chill out with SELF's no-cook Avocado-Lime Soup with Chipotle Chili.
Pair it with ... Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling, Willamette Valley, Oregon. Cappiali says: This semisweet-bodied wine has mouthwatering acidity to cut through the sweetness and creamy texture of the avocado. Additionally, the semisweet acidity helps to offset the fattiness of the fruit and counter the chipotle, as well as cleans the palate for your next spoonful. Price: about $14.
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3. Summer BBQ.
You can't go wrong with SELF's "Stay Saucy" BBQ chicken accompanied by this tasty grilled salad.
Pair them with ... Alta Vista Malbec, Argentina. Cappiali says: The soft tannins pair perfectly with the chicken and the luscious dark fruit flavors stand up to the BBQ sauce while the spicy finish of the wine complements the whole dish. Price: about $8.
4. Staying in to watch sizzling summer TV shows like Dallas (are you hooked yet?).
For the ultimate TV-watching snack, check out the potato chips that won a SELF Healthy Food Award!
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Pair them with ... Roederer Brut Premier Champagne (a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Pinot Meunier mix) Reims, France NV. Cappiali says: An unlikely couple, but a match made in heaven! Nothing is more satisfying than the yin and yang of this effervescent wine (yin) and the fried fat of the chips (yang). Plus, the high acidity of the Champagne adds an additional layer when it meets the salt from the chip on your palate. Price: about $45.
5. Pool party!
Want to make a splash? Whip up these super-easy no-bake blueberry tartlets.
Pair them with ... Michele Chiarlo Nivole, Moscato d'Asti, Italy. Cappiali says: This sweet, fragrant, lightly sparkling wine has vivid aromas and flavors that will be a refreshing match for the blueberries and the pool. Price: about $14.
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