Top 10 wines for the 4th of July

Tendu White Wine 2013, California, US

Writing in the Los Angeles Times Irene Virbila was adamant on her selection of the Tendu White stating you “gotta have some whites”, adding, “go with a blend, Sauvignon Blanc or, if you must have Chardonnay, one made in a leaner style. Rosés make great picnic fare too, and this year California is turning out some terrific examples.”

Virbila described the wine as a “terrific little white wine” from one of California’s “most interesting” winemakers, Steve Matthiesson.

She said: “His day job? Vineyard manager, which is why he’s got a certain talent in sourcing fruit for this dry, cool-toned white all over California. I love the big 1-liter bottle closed with a white cap like a soda pop. With its notes of grapefruit and citrus rind, Tendu white wine is a lot of wine for the money.”

About $20

Testa Rossa “Santa Lucia Highlands” Pinot Noir 2012 , Central Coast, US

Virbila went on to recommend a Central Coast Pinot Noir from Testarossa Winery.

She said: “How about a soft juicy Pinot Noir from high-end single-vineyard specialist Testarossa? The grapes for this beauty are sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands in general, making it more affordable than their single-vineyard bottlings. This is the bottle to squirrel away for the Pinot Noir fans in the group.”

About $35

Wild Horse Winery Viognier 2012, Central Coast, US

In the Miami Herald Fred Tasker paid homage to the multiculturalism of the US in making his fourth of July wine recommendations.

He said: “A big advantage to the fact that America is a melting pot is that there is no single great national dish. One of the freedoms we enjoy on the Fourth of July is to eat anything we want”, adding a picnic tip.

“Cold picnic foods like chicken salad or tuna salad sandwiches, fried chicken and such go well with lightly sweet white wines such as Chenin Blanc, Viognier or Riesling.”

Taskler recommended one Viognier in particular, from Wild Horse Winery, describing it as having “aromas and flavors of white peaches and vanilla, smooth and rich.”

$17

Ravenswood “Vintners Blend” Old Vine Zinfandel 2012, California, US

Tasker also had some advice for barbecue matching.

“The addition of sweet and spicy sauce calls for spicy, lightly sweet wines such as Zinfandel and Shiraz”, he said.

He recommended a blend in the form of Ravenswood’s Zinfandel-based ‘Vintners Blend’ due to it’s “hint of oak, rich and hearty flavours of black cherries and black raspberries.”

$10

Robert Oatley “Signature Series” Shiraz 2012, Mclaren Vale Australia

Venturing outside of the US, but sticking with a barbecue, Tasker suggested an Australian Shiraz from Mclaren Vale which he noted as having a “hint of oak, heady and rich, with flavours of black raspberries.”

$15

Kenwood Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012 Russian River Valley, US

For Peg Melnik, writing In the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, it was all about burgers in it’s annual ‘hamburger reds’ tasting aimed at giving you great reds under $20 to go with burgers.

She said: “America loves to misbehave on the Fourth of July with a juicy burger and a splash of red wine, indulgence at its best. Is there really any other way to celebrate independence?”

In describing the 2012 Kenwood Pinot Noir, her top pick, Melnik said: “This pinot made the flavours pop in a 7-ounce, juicy cheeseburger from Santa Rosa’s Super Burger, a well-loved hamburger spot. The pinot was the perfect match because it had refreshing acidity, bright fruit and good structure.”

$20

NV Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs, Carneros, US

Laurie Woolever, writing for The Wine Spectator, suggested starting the celebrations with a sparkler, an original match in their Thomas Keller inspired fried chicken dish.

In justifying her selection she said: “On this most American of holidays, known for dazzling nighttime pyrotechnic displays, it’s only natural that you’d pour American sparklers, whose effervescence and acidity make an easy foil for the chicken’s fat and salt.”

Tasting the wine was Tim fisher, who described the Ferrer Blanc de Blancs as ”rich, creamy and a pleasure to sip, offering aromas of apple and lime, with a touch of white chocolate that opens to luscious flavors of Asian pear, cinnamon and spice.”

$22

Alta Maria Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Santa Maria Valley, US

Jessica Yadegaran, writing in the San Jose Mercury News, was keen to highlight the abundance of choice this Independence Day.

“Whether it’s short ribs with a Korean rub or Atlantic cod headed for a Baja-style taco, most of us will be chowing on goodies from the grill this July 4. Those flavours. That char. From chicken to burgers, grilled foods call for wines with structure and personality. Here are five surefire (get it?) wines to match every dish coming off those coals. Yes, even grilled pizza.”

Explaining her choice of Sauvignon Blanc, she said: “As the Los Olivos winery’s website explains, this 2012 white wine is almost translucent lemon in color, with lemongrass and tomato leaf aromas and flavors of citrus (I got pomelo). This is no flighty SB. There’s weight and minerality in the mid-palate and a crisp, lingering finish. A serious pairing for white fish or grilled veggie pizza.”

$18

Morgan Syrah “G 17”, Monterey County, US

With barbecue grilling again in mind, Yadegaran suggested something light and red.

She said: “This cool-climate Syrah is named after a road that links the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands grape growing regions. The 2012 vintage exhibits elegant structure with delightful fruit and spice characters (A bit of tempranillo and Grenache give it added depth and color). I love this wine with pork.”

$22

Pedroncelli “Alto Vineyards” Sangiovese, Dry Creek Valley, US

Finally, and with another nod to the cultural melting pot that is modern USA, Yadegaran chose an Italian grape variety produced by Pedroncelli in Dry Creek valley: “This 2012 wine bursts with ripe plum and cherry aromas and flavours along with a hint of violets. The finish is full and luscious with soft tannins and a medium body. Wash any grilled chicken dish down with this food-friendly sipper.”

$16