Wine'ing while Grilling this weekend

July 2, 8:20 PMScottsdale Wine ExaminerPhilip Guana

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Scottsdale Wine Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

Since we are going into the Fourth of July weekend, this is a time spent with family and friends honoring and appreciating our Independence and all those who have fought for it. I have fond memories of my family gathering for a great meal and the kids outside playing in the pool. Who can forget my crazy best friend Harold that loved to show off how fearless he was by shooting off skyrockets from his hand and all the little kids thinking he was cool. Thank God we had fire extinguishers on hand. Or how about my cousin that had to pour an entire can of lighter fluid on the charcoals to start the grill, which was usually followed by the very familiar sound of an instant ignition explosion…now I get why he had no eyebrows. I just thought he plucked them…silly me.
So as you all fire up the grill, let me give you some good wine choices for that juicy meal.

Grilled Shrimp or seafood are always great to pair with a nice crisp white that has some sweetness to compliment the sweetness in the shrimp or seafood. Why not try a delicate Pinot Gris from DeTierra ($19) or maybe a Sauvignon Blanc from X Winery ($11). Both great choices to compliment any seafood or chicken dish.

Grilled Burgers call for a nice thick wine with some good tannins to cut through the burger fat. How about a smoky Malbec with some good tannins from Argentina. Mi Amor Malbec ($10) is a wonderful and easy Malbec at a great price. If you like something a bit more a fruit bomb, try Madrigal Zinfandel ($23).

Grilled Steaks definitely call for a big Cabernet Sauvignon, but let’s find one at a reasonable price. Try Hill Family Estates Cabernet Sauvignon ($35) for a great Napa wine and a very competitive price. Want to try something a little more wine geeky? How about a Spanish Tempranillo? Try Earth 2.0 Tempranillo ($10), it’s 100% organic and flat out yummy. This wine is unbeatable at $10 bucks.

There really isn’t a right or wrong, just trust your palate and try something new. There is a world of wine out there, why not try to drink as many as you can. Whatever you decide to drink, have fun and be safe. This is a weekend to celebrate our freedom and not end up losing it by being locked up in the pokey.