The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a big holiday in the United States. The day celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the original colonies freedom from Britain. Today, the Fourth of July is a time when people gather with family and friends to enjoy barbeques, parades, and of course, fireworks. With so much celebration it should come as no surprise that retailers also see an increase in alcohol sales leading up to the holiday.
You’ve probably got your bases covered when it comes to beer, seltzers and fun, summery cocktails, but what if you want to celebrate with wine? We’ve got you covered on the best wines to sip whether you’re grilling, swimming, or just relaxing.
Best Red Wine on the 4th of July
July can be steamy so you will want to avoid heavy, high tannin reds.
Pro tip: Forget the old “red should always be served at room temperature” rule and pop your bottle of red in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before drinking. This won’t work with full-bodied reds, but lighter reds that have more acidity and aromatics really benefit from being slightly chilled and are far more refreshing when it is hot out.
- Barbera: juicy, light, with notes of strawberry and sour cherry.
- Lambrusco: a slight bubbliness with strong berry notes.
- Grenache: floral with strong berry flavor and notes of citrus.
- Dolcetto: light, soft, fruity with aromatics of blackberry, plum and spice.
Best White Wine on the 4th of July
Bright and acidic whites will be the most refreshing when outside temperatures rise. Add some bubbles to take it up a notch.
- Albariño: Dry with high acidity and notes of lemon and grapefruit.
- Sauvignon Blanc: highly acidic, fruity, dry white with herb tones.
- Rosé: bright acidity with strong berry flavor.
- Grüner Veltliner: Light, citrus-focused flavors of lime, lemon and grapefruit.
- Champagne: Bubbly, floral, and fruity with notes of citrus, peach, or cherry.
Pairing Wine with 4th of July Food
Pairing Wine With Barbeque Food
A Rosé is the perfect complement to the sweet, smoky, flavors of barbeque and the acidity is refreshing in the summer. Zinfandel is also great with barbequed food, but can be heavy for hotter temperatures.
Pairing Wine With Hot Dogs
An Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, or Riesling all go well with hot dogs. You could even add some sparkle and have Champagne! If red is your preference, try a Grenache.
Pairing Wine With Sausage
Choose a white with a refreshing acidity to balance the fat in most sausages. A Riesling or Grüner Veltliner will do the trick here.
Pairing Wine With Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken can pair with a red or white. For white, choose a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris. For red, Pinot Noir or Zinfandel will pair nicely.
Pairing Wine With Burgers
A lightly chilled Pinot Noir or Beaujolais will do well with most burgers, but if you want to mix it up, try a fizzy Lambrusco.
Pairing Wine With Potato or Pasta Salads
These salads are summer staples regardless of the holiday and the recipes can vary widely, however a crisp, citrusy white, like Sauvignon Blanc or Grüner Veltliner will pair with most renditions of these classics.
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