5 Best Foods to Pair with Summer Wines

Oh, summer. The season of sunshine, sweaty glasses, and the age-old debate of “Do we actually need plates with this finger food?” Whether you’re at a backyard barbecue, a picnic that felt like a good idea until the ants showed up, or just lounging on your patio pretending that mowing the lawn doesn’t need to happen today—pairing the right food with the perfect wine can make good moments great.

Lucky for you, I’ve done the sipping (and the eating) and I’ve got some foolproof pairings from our Top 20+ Summer Wines collection to make your summer menu sing. Let’s dive in.

1. Fresh Grilled Seafood + Crisp White Wines

Seafood is basically summer’s VIP, and grilled shrimp, salmon, or scallops are those dishes everyone fights over at a cookout. Pair them with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño, and you’ve got yourself a match made in culinary heaven. The crisp citrusy vibes of these wines cut through the buttery richness of seafood in a way that feels almost unfairly good.

Quick Tip:

Don’t let summer’s endless heat mess with your wine. Serve whites insanely cold—just short of “Did I freeze this?”—and you’ll thank me later.

Wine Pick: Sauvignon Blanc—refreshing like a splash of cold water, but way more fun.

2023 Fairvalley Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa

2. Charcuterie Board + Sparkling Wines

Is it even a summer party if there isn’t a charcuterie board that someone calls "fancy snacks"? Pair all the salty meats, creamy cheeses, and rogue grapes meant to look “artsy” with Sparkling Rosé. The bubbles are like confetti for your taste buds and balance everything out perfectly so you can keep popping cheese cubes without guilt.

Pro Move:

Throw some strawberries on that board—they’re Sparkling Rosé’s best friends.

Wine Pick: Sparkling Rosé—it’s bubbly enough to make you feel classy but doesn’t take itself too seriously. 

NV BIDO Sparkling Brut Rosé, Loire Valley, France

3. BBQ Burgers + Juicy Red Wines

Here’s the deal: burgers always steal the thunder at any BBQ, and you need a wine bold enough to keep up. Enter Zinfandel or a jammy Red Blend—big, juicy flavors that stand up to all the smoky grill magic without complaining about the ketchup you unapologetically doused on.

Bonus Points:

Pair with ribs or grilled lamb—also known as “Who needs forks anyway?” meals.

Wine Pick: A Red Blend—smooth, bold, and just slightly judgmental about how much BBQ sauce you’re using.

2017 "Finca Ygay" Reserva Rioja, Spain

4. Seasonal Salad + Dry Rosé

If you’re the person who shows up with a salad and pretends you’re not secretly hoping for potato chips, thank you for trying. But seriously, a salad packed with berries, nuts, and goat cheese deserves to share a glass with Dry Rosé. The crisp acidity and delicate fruitiness of the wine take your greens from “meh” to “wow” and will make even the croutons feel fancy.

Life Hack:

Dry Rosé is also the one wine that magically works with almost everything—best kept secret in pairing town.

Wine Pick: Provence-style Dry Rosé—light, elegant, and ready for all your salad drama.

2023 Wölffer Summer in a Bottle Long Island Rosé, Long Island, NY

5. Desserts + Sweet Wines

Dessert is the grand finale of summer meals, and nothing says "I’ve mastered adulting" like pairing it with wine. Whether you’re diving into fruit tarts, lemon bars, or just dropping a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a bowl (we’ve all been there), sweet Riesling is your go-to. Sweet but refreshing, it’s dessert in a bottle.

Pro Tip:

Chill your sweet wine to perfection. Moscato deserves the ice bucket treatment, just like you deserve seconds.

Wine Pick: Riesling—full of juicy sweetness that pairs with dessert and also just...makes life better.

Love Cork Screw "Head Over Heals" Riesling, Lake Michigan, MI

Final Thoughts

Summer wine pairings shouldn’t feel like a science experiment. It’s about enjoying the simple pleasures—good food, great wine, and the kind of company that doesn’t judge your creative paper plate stacking skills. So grab a bottle (or five—I won’t judge), dive into our Top 20+ Summer Wines collection, and make this your most delicious summer yet.

Cheers to good times, good eats, and never-ending pairings!