The Best Wines to Pair with Your Summer Activities
With the unofficial start of summer behind us, schedules start to get packed with beach days, road trips, and backyard BBQs. Each of which warrants pairing wines that enhance the experience, and make each memory even more memorable. Read on for some sure pairing wins!
Beach Day – Gala Rosé
Laying by the ocean with a warm sea breeze blowing and the sun’s rays beating down often is the epitome of summer days for many people. While it’s a casual day, the feeling of living a life of luxury and leisure elicits the need for a wine that is both fun, approachable, and yet also a bit sophisticated and elegant.
For these days, bring a Gala Winery Merlot-Frankovka Rosé. Beginning with its stunning deep pink hue, just pouring it in your plastic beach-friendly glass makes you feel a bit glam. The aromas of fresh fruits are perfect with the scent of fresh seawater, and you may even get a hint of ocean rose. Highly drinkable, the flavor is light yet structured, allowing you to drink this #RoseAllDay.
Road Trip – Krásná hora Sauvignon Blanc
Part of the enjoyment of the road trip is that you never know what to expect. And the unexpected is most likely going to happen. From car troubles to traffic, to unknown hotels or finding the last room in the local motel, you need to be ready for anything with an open mind and open heart. Experiencing the unplanned and interacting with people you didn’t expect broadens the mind and spirit.
For this, you need a wine that is ready for anything. The wine that can be drunk alone while waiting for your late dinner reservation, or enjoyed with street food or the local taco truck. Grab yourself a bottle of Krásná hora Winery Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is smooth yet structured and will please lovers of both old world and new world style Sauvignon Blancs with its balanced minerality and its floral aromas. It’s been called a sexy Sauv and “baby Sancerre.” Either way you’ll take a sip and call it delish. And if you’re lucky, you can get your hands on the latest vintage unfiltered!
Backyard BBQ – Volařík Welschriesling or Krásná hora Ruby
My personal favorite – the summer backyard BBQ. This brings together all my favorite things – friends, family, good food, warm sunshine, and great wine. These get-togethers create the Instagram-worthy pictures that make those who missed it jealous. Food can be from pretty casual (Bubba burgers, anyone?) to sophisticated grilled delicacies (marinated Chilean Sea bass with grilled avocados – yum!). So you need a wine that can adapt to the mood.
Try a Volařík Winery Welschriesling. Besides being the one bringing a wine that most people have likely not ever heard of, let alone drank, you’ll be bringing a wine that is versatile and easy to drink. This dry white wine can be a simple porch drinker, or enhance grilled poultry and seafood and is a popular local choice for locals in Moravia.
Or if you’re a red drinker, try my favorite summer red, the Krásná hora Winery Ruby. This natural wine is a fun blend of a little bit of everything - Zweigeltrebe, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Saint Laurent. This is a juicy and velvety blend with fine tannins and a lively acidity that gives it the freshness you want in a summer red wine. Totally crushable - and you can even throw a chill on it for the 90 degree days.
Need to take the wine on the go? We’ve got you covered. View our post on BYO wine with Corkcicle!
Note: This post was originally published in 2018 and has been recently updated for timeliness.