Everyday Wines for Everyday Meals

It’s amazing the amount of beer that is consumed this time of year. The playoffs and the summer-like weather have pushed beer sales to new heights. I may the only one who has a glass of wine while watching the playoffs and it got me thinking. There are some wines that seem to be easier drinking and match better to everyday foods and the type of snacks consumed during sport and general TV viewing, foods like nachos, wings, burgers and chips. These are the wines we should be drinking everyday at a price we can all afford.

Sunday dinners and special occasion meals always call for wine. There are so many other options for the daily meals that we enjoy. Why not enjoy a reasonable sparkling wine such as Prosecco? A light fruity Pinot Grigio or an off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer is a good everyday choice. Don’t worry about adding a bit of soda to your favourite white, or adding a bit of fresh juice to an inexpensive sparkler.

Wine also has many health benefits that may prevent cancer and extend your life. Red wine contains a substance called reveratrol which is a known to lower blood sugar and is being studied at universities around the world to understand its true healing potential.

Red wines are marvellous with slow cooked bbq or grilled foods that we enjoy most days during the summer and the rest of the year given our west coast weather. Rich, smoky Zinfandels and Shiraz are a perfect match to ribs smothered in bbq sauce. Grilled chicken and a full bodied Chardonnay will work wonders together. Burgers work well with fruity Merlots and Malbecs. Hot Dogs are great with Gewürztraminers and Riesling. Bring on the bbq and we’ll find a wine that delivers!

In the spirit of everyday foods and wine, I’ve reviewed and selected a few of my favourite selections that can be enjoyed this summer. All of these wines sell for less than $18 so you can enjoy a glass everyday.

One of my favourite summer whites from the Okanagan is the St. Hubertus Riesling 2007. Peach, citrus and apple flavours are in perfect harmony with the crisp slightly off dry style. This is a great bbq smokie or hot dog wine. Spicy chicken wings and nachos would also pair quite nicely with this Riesling.

Sumac Ridge Winery is one of the oldest and most established wineries in the Okanagan Valley. The Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer 2007 displays rose, lychee and a touch of spice on the finish. Many Gewürztraminers are quite soft and lacking in acidity but this white shows some nice structure and delicate fresh finish. An ideal patio wine, it would fare well with light appetizers and bbq rotisserie chicken. Try with a splash of soda or mineral water to beat the summer heat.

A wine that really delivers for the price is St. Hallett’s Poacher’s Blend, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2007 from the Barossa valley, Australia. This outstanding blended wine delivers lively pineapple, melon and citrus notes with an amazing dry and flavourful finish. Think summer picnic wine; an ideal partner for chilled fried chicken or shrimp cocktail. This wine would also match very well with vegetarian foods.

Grilled and bbq red meats and burgers need red wine to bring out there flavours. A bbq go to wine is the Protocolo 2006 hailing from Spain. Bold and earthy with dark berry and spice, this full bodied and soft red is ideal for this summer.

So there you have a few of my favourites, but don’t stop there. Get out and explore wines for everyday not just special occasions!