5 Top Summer Wine Pairings: Expert Tips from a Miami Sommelier Chris Lehoux, June 6, 2024 Jacqueline Pirolo shares her favorite summer wine pairings Summer has arrived, bringing with it the joys of backyard barbecues and relaxed meals with loved ones, ideally accompanied by exquisite wines. If you’re considering stepping up your hosting game or simply enhancing your outdoor dining and snacks by the pool, it’s essential to think about your preferred wine pairings for the summer. No need to be a wine expert to master the art of pairing—though it’s useful to have one in your corner. Luckily, Miami’s Jacqueline Pirolo recently took a break from her hectic schedule to share some top food and wine combinations perfect for enjoying during the warmer months. As the beverage director at one of Miami’s top dining spots, Macchialina, Pirolo is a noted wine expert. Overseeing Macchialina alongside her brother Mike Pirolo, this Italian eatery has been a key highlight of South Beach for over a decade. Recently, they introduced a revamped venue formerly known as Miami Hostel right near their original location. This new addition features a larger interior, a garden patio, a bigger bar, and a vast open kitchen, living up to the expectations of its team and regular patrons. Amidst the busy schedule of launching this impressive venue, Pirolo managed to also develop the beverage menu for Magie, a modern self-service tin-to-table wine bar, which is set to open in the old Sherwood’s Bistro site in the Little River area on June 13th. Summer recipes like juicy tomatoes, fresh zucchini, and especially grilled pizza shine when partnered with the perfect wine. For those seeking some inspiration, continuing reading will reveal some top summer wine pairings to consider. Don’t overlook making pizza on the grill this summer “Fortunately, my brother has perfected his pizza dough recipe, so I can usually convince him to save me some extra dough after his famous home pizza parties. I love throwing it on the grill with my favorite toppings: his tomato sauce (which I also take), anchovies, and a dusting of dried oregano,” says Pirolo. “For this pizza, I prefer Lambrusco Salamino. Made in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, this varietal gets its name from the shape of the grape clusters, which resemble a salami! The versatility of Lambrusco is what makes it so special – it’s perfect for pizza, but also great with charcuterie or a bowl of Bolognese. Lambrusco Salamino’s bright acidity and rich, fruity flavor profile offer a bit more complexity and sometimes even a touch of earthiness. One of my current favorites comes from producer Fondo Bozzole, available at Macchialina for dining in or retail.” Pirolo says this is her favorite pasta salad “Growing up, this dish was a summer staple. We cooked penne and simply tossed it with good extra virgin olive oil. While the pasta was still hot, we added uncooked, halved cherry tomatoes and chopped fresh mozzarella, then topped it with basil – the heat would soften the tomatoes, breaking them down for a chewy texture,” shares Pirolo. “I always called it our pasta salad, although some people may disagree since it’s not cold – I’m unsure of the official pasta salad guidelines. For me, this pairs perfectly with a light, chilled, crushable red wine. Some fun ones I’m loving at the moment include Bbirbiciu’s ‘Brasì’, a Catarratto and Pignatello co-fermented red from Sicily or Fatalone’s ‘Teres’ Primitivo from Puglia which could technically be considered a full-bodied Rosé. Both are available at Macchialina for dining in or retail.” Canned wines are a vibe “This is a total beach staple for me: dress heirloom tomatoes with good extra virgin olive oil, a bit of red wine vinegar, red onion, and oregano on a quality baguette. I think the canned wine game has significantly improved in a short amount of time,” says Pirolo. “At Magies, our entire by-the-glass program features canned wine! I’ve been loving La Lata Rebujito, a refreshing canned beverage from Sevilla, Spain that honors the popular Andalucian cocktail by blending dry sherry with lemon/lime soda for a crisp and tangy taste that’s perfect for warmer days.” Zucchini and Eggplant alla Scapece “Zucchini and Eggplant alla Scapece is a new dish on the menu at Macchialina. It features grilled zucchini and eggplant after having been marinated with garlic and olive oil, finished with pine nut butter and shaved ricotta salata. I’m pairing this dish with Josef Fischer Riesling Federspiel, ‘Ried Steiger’, which we highlighted in Macchialina’s wine club during our Austria theme,” says Pirolo. “This dry, crisp Austrian Riesling cuts through the richness of the marinated vegetables and pine nut butter, balancing the dish so incredibly well.” Varnelli Punch Fantasia “Just in time for summer, Macch 2.0 has officially added gelato to their menu, and I’m really enjoying experimenting with different liqueurs to pour over it,” says Pirolo. “Right now, my favorite is Varnelli Punch Fantasia. It’s crafted with a sugarcane distillate from Martinique and a special blend of secret spices and botanicals. This liqueur adds a hint of cherry sweetness to the flavor profile and leaves a nutty flavor lingering afterward.” One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space. In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site’s Terms of Service. We’ve summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil. Your post will be rejected if it appears to contain: User accounts will be blocked if it is noticed or suspected that users are engaged in: So, how can you be a power user? Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site’s Terms of Service. About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine