Food and Wine Pairing For the 4th of July

Here are some fun & useful food-and-winegrape, instead, is named by the region, or sub-region.
matching ideas, to help you choose that perfectIf you choose a bottle of Burgundy for 4th of July, a
bottle or two for the festivities!bottle of $27 or $30 dollars or less should do
Generally, we would match seafood wit a white wine.fabulously.
You could still do so with your grilled shrimps with allAs for the classic BBQ red meats and sausage,
the sauce and heaver flavors. Choose a fuller-bodiedZinfandel from all regions, and Cabernet Sauvignon of
white wine, For example, many of the Chardonnay$40 or less from California, and some Merlot are all
from Napa Valley is a safe bet. You could even gonice choices.
for a Reserve Chardonnay from Napa Valley orFor Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, you might
Sonoma.consider a bottle from the French region of
It's BBQ after all, with plenty of nice, tasty sauce onBordeaux. The red Bordeaux are often the blend of
the shrimps or seafood on the grill, so you couldCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot (and a few other
have a red wine with it. Pick a Zinfandel from coolerred grapes) - meaning you get the best of both
areas, and stay away from Zinfandel of hot areasgrapes. For a Bordeaux red, either 2005 or 2006
like California's Central Valley or Lodi. That is becausevintage are very good buys. I don't think you'd need
hot region Zinfandel get the high alcohol that doesn'tto spend more than $35 or $40 dollars for your pick.
go with the seafood.OK! Do let me know how it goes. I want to hear
The other reds for grilled seafood would be a Frenchfrom you on your 4th of July celebration with the
Burgundian red wine, which is made from the grapewine!
Pinot Noir. In France, the wine is not named by the