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The summer cookout is a staple of the season and chicken is a classic, healthy choice. Now, since nothing elevates a hearty meal like the right bottle of wine, and there are a lot of great small-production wineries making top-notch stuff, we figure, why not enhance the tradition of the American cookout with some boutique, uniquely American wines? So fire up the BBQ, and open any of these great bottles when you’re grilling chicken:
ZenaidaCellars 2012 “Wanderlust” Blend
Grape(s): 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, & 15% Mourvedre
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Price: 35-40
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of blackberries, raspberries, and cherries meld with suggestions of smoked meat, vanilla, and spicy oak on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of bramble fruit, bing cherry, and strawberry along with accents of cedar, spice, and vanilla. Lively flavors and plush tannins, make this an ideal wine to enjoy with a Greek-Style grilled chicken breast. 202 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Sol Rouge 2012 Rosé Wine
Grape(s): Grenache, Mourvedre, & Syrah
Region: Lake County, Ca
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of strawberries, watermelon, and nectarine rises up from a glass. The palate offers flavors of strawberry, cranberry, and citrus fruit with traces of minerals and thyme. Crisp and vibrant, it would pair nicely with grilled chicken breasts seasoned by fresh herbs. Just 75 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Winery SF 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: North Coast, Ca
Price: 10-15
Tasting Notes:
Citrus fruits, honeydew, and peach aromas mingle with hints of bell pepper and minerals on the nose. A sip brings forth flavors of lime, melon, and peach that flow into whispers of wild grass and minerals. Bright flavors and a friendly acidity make it an ideal pairing with grilled chicken in a citrus marinade. 1,500 cases produced.
Rating: 88
Cass 2014 Marsanne
Grape(s): 100% Marsanne
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Price: 20-25
Tasting Notes:
Fragrances of peach, apple, banana, and white blossoms greet the senses. The palate reveals flavors of stone fruits, melons, and apples along with highlights of flowers and pistachios. A rich, floral white with a welcoming acidity, open a bottle with grilled chicken in a Asian marinade. 390 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Comanche Cellars 2013 “Maverick” Blend
Grape(s): 60% Syrah & 40% Sangiovese
Region: Central Coast, Ca
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
Notes of cherries, raspberries, and cranberries come together with nuances of candied nuts and spice on the nose. Flavors of bing cherry, cranberry, and bramble berry unfold into hints of earthy spice and cola on the palate. It’s a bright, fruit-driven wine that’s ideal for fans of chicken at your next cookout. Only 80 cases produced.
Rating: 88
Eberle 2013 Chardonnay
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Price: 20-25
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of pineapples, lemons, and Asian pears combine with suggestions of creamy, buttery oak on the nose. With a sip, flavors of tart apple, pear, and pineapple emerge alongside notes of toasty oak and buttered popcorn. Supple with a nice touch of acidity, grilled chicken served with a creamy sauce would be ideal for this wine. 4,006 cases were made.
Rating: 88
Midnight Cellars 2013 Chardonnay
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Price:
Tasting Notes:
The nose offers a bouquet of crisp pear, apple, vanilla, and toasty oak. The palate delivers flavors of peach, pear, and green apple accented by nuances of buttery oak and vanilla. Not too acidic and not too creamy, it’s a fine Chardonnay to enjoy with grilled chicken breasts. 800 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Check out our other segments of Great Wines When You’re Grilling
