The Name of the Rosé

by Christine E. Blum

  J

  Jamaican: Aah, Jerk chicken, red beans and rice, fried plantains and the dulcet sounds of steel drums. Pop open a bottle of the Portuguese white Fiuza Avarinho and you’ll be sayin’ “yah mon!”

  Japanese: For sake’s sake, try a rich red with your teriyaki and yakitori. Such as the Artezin Mendocino Zinfandel from California.

  K

  Korean: At a Korean BBQ of bulgogi and galbi sweet, smoky meats, Sally’s partial to a Chilean Syrah, such as Casas Patronales Reserva.

  L

  Lebanese: Aimee’s the one that introduced the Wine Club to Lebanese food. Now we’re big fans of falafels, tabbouleh, shawarma, and the dish that Sally can’t say without giggling, baba ghanoush. But if this deliciousness has you scratching your hummus about what to drink with the meal, Aimee recommends a sparkling Levert Frères Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé.

  M

  Mexican: From your morning huevos rancheros to tacos and burritos to dark, rich mole, we like to sparkle! And no need to spend too much as you’ll want many glasses with spicy food. Aimee’s go-to choice is a Comte de Gascogne Brut.

  R

  Russian: We would never ask you to swap out your vodka with caviar, although you could do a wine chaser. But when enjoying Borscht or blini or beef stroganoff you can’t miss with a glass or two of Peachy Canyon Incredible Red Zinfandel from California.

  S

  Soul Food: This is right up Sally’s alley whether she’s actually ever eaten true soul food or not. If she finds shrimp and grits on the menu she’ll be looking over the wine list for a Bourgogne Blanc.

  Swedish: It’s a warm day and you’ve gathered outside for a light meal of gravad lax with a sweet mustard dill sauce and rye crisps. Time to break out the Banyan Gewürztraminer from Monterey County.

  T

  Thai: Intense spice begs for intense, full-bodied flavors in a wine. For that reason we recommend serving a nice Grenache Blanc with your Mas-saman curry, pad thai and larb.

  V

  Vietnamese: So, pho, a dish of salty broth, rice noodles that demand slurping with herbs and chicken or beef. Sally swears by the fizz from a glass of Famiglia Carafoli L’onesta Lambrusco Di Sorbara.