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Your Guide to Wine Pairings for Summer Iconic Dish
4 minutes readAug 1, 2025Evmorfia Kostaki
Summer is here for good, and it means one thing: outdoor dining. Whether on the yard, the park, the beach or the restaurant terrace, food tastes so much better outside. And so does the wine you pair with it! Whether you prefer flavorful BBQ nights or light salad lunches, allow VinoVoss to recommend the ideal food pairing for each occasion.
Pairing Wine with Pasta Salad
Pasta Salad is the ultimate summer lunch. Served cool, it helps combat the heat, and is still tasty and satisfying! That's why you need something equally crisp to match.
The easiest to find pairing would be a delicate Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. This is especially fitting with cucumber and bell peppers, two of the key ingredients of pasta salad.
Sea Pearl Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Sale price:$18.86Regular price:$22.95
3.9(141)However, if you want to explore a lesser known wine style you can choose Albarino. With its high acidity and mineral, salty flavors, it is the perfect wine to pair with pasta salad. And while Rias Baixas is the home of Albarino, it is also producing amazing wines in California!
Pairing Wine with Smash Burger
Who doesn't love the crispy caramelized flavors of a good smash burger? Homemade versions in the outdoor barbecue can be the highlight of the night! But having the perfect wine for it will bring your experience to the next level!
Rioja Reserva can be an excellent pairing for a smash burger. Its earthy flavours complement perfectly the crispy crust of the burger and its acidity sits at a perfect level to not contrast the richness of the bun or the rest of the ingredients and sauces.
Muga Reserva 2022
Sale price:$49.46Regular price:$67.95
4.0(1014)You can also opt for a richer wine, like a Californian Zinfandel, which is certainly a crowd pleaser! Ripe juicy flavours and a rounded texture, it not only pairs with smash burgers but also with all the amazing grilled meats of an outdoor barbecue.
Ancient Peaks Zinfandel 2023
Sale price:$25.51Regular price:$30.44
4.0(150)Pairing Wine with Grilled Salmon
Outdoor barbecues don't have to be only for meat-lovers. Salmon is a great option to put on the grill. Grill a few vegetables as well and you've got a quick and healthy summer meal! But no meal is perfect without a fine glass of wine to pair alongside it.
The ideal wine for grilled salmon is a fruity rosé. No, it's not the color that makes the difference, rosé wines often have bright acidity paired with a rounded texture, ideal to balance out the richness of the salmon while leaving a crisp finish.
You could also opt for a delicate red, like a modern style of Grenache. Producers now highlight the heritage of Grenache, featuring old vines and non-invasive winemaking techniques. The wines end up having vibrant flavours, juicy acidity and smooth tannins, making them an ideal pairing for grilled salmon.
David & Nadia Grenache 2023
Sale price:$40.84Regular price:$45.38
4.2(28)These are a few delicious, easy-to-follow wine pairing ideas for your favorite summer dishes, handpicked by the VinoVoss wine experts. If you'd like to explore more pairing options, go try asking Voss AI.
What is your favourite wine to pair with summer food? Let us know by joining the VinoVoss Facebook group!
Happy summer VinoVossers!
Evmorfia Kostaki
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