Fourth of July is less than a week away and summer temperatures have finally (finally!) made an appearance. That means you will be cleaning the grill (if you haven’t already) and finalizing your star-spangled menu. We want to help you cross one more item off your to-do list by giving you a cheat sheet for July 4th wine pairings.

Barbecue with Syrah or Zinfandel

Barbecued meat – whether it’s beef, chicken or pork – has a smoky sweetness with a peppery zip, perfect for a bold syrah or a jammy zinfandel. These wines can stand up to a zesty BBQ sauce and bring out those savory flavors of a great flame-cooked meat.

Suggested wines:
Love That Red Winery 2014 Dead Heat Syrah
W.T. Vintners 2013 Syrah “Damavian”
Two Vintners 2014 Zinfandel

Sausages with Dry Riesling

Sure, we’re celebrating the birth of America but it doesn’t hurt to take a cue from the germanic culture. If you’re cooking up some spicy sausages like a German bratwurst, a dry riesling is an ideal pairing. The acidity and a touch of sweetness balances the spicy food while the crispness makes the riesling a refreshing choice.

Suggested wines:
Sparkman Cellars 2015 Birdie Riesling
Warr-King Wines 2013 Riesling
EFESTE 2014 Evergreen Riesling

Seafood and Corn with Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc

Some fresh crab and corn-on-the-cob is the perfect meal for a summer celebration and both pair well with an un-oaked chardonnay or a sauvignon blanc. A fairly crisp white with acidity and minerality will complement the natural sweetness in the crab and corn.

Suggested wines:
Gard Vintners 2015 Sauvignon Blanc
Matthews Winery 2016 Sauvignon Blanc
Baer Winery 2015 Shard Chardonnay
Sol Stone Winery 2016 Chardonnay

And if you feel like squeezing in some wine tasting before the festivities begin, here is a link to tasting rooms that will be open on the 4th of July: Woodinville Wineries Open On The 4th