Casual Pairings

It’s 80 degrees and sunny in LA, pools are an enticing shade of icy blue, and everywhere I look, I’m reminded of bright summer peaches and heirloom tomatoes – on my Instagram feed, in my inbox, on food podcasts, on restaurant menus all across the city. It’s not surprising that these juicy, sun-ripened fruits go well together – like in this Tomato and Peach Salad with Whipped Goat Cheese – but what’s a good wine pairing for both the sweetness of the peach and the acidity of the tomato?

Wine Pairing Option: Prosecco

A crisp, dry Prosecco is the first thing that comes to mind. Prosecco and peaches are already best friends in Bellini cocktails, and the acidity found in Prosecco matches that of the tomatoes. Plus, who doesn’t love bubbles in the summer?

You can grab a bottle of La Marca with its recognizable blue label from your nearest grocery store, or you can dig a little deeper and spend just a few dollars more to get a higher-quality bottle, like this Mionetto Prosecco Superiore Brut or this Col del Forno Prosecco from family-owned Andreola, which both have DOCG classifications. Not going to get super nerdy here, but it’s essentially the top tier of Italian wine classification. (But for those of you who do want to get a little nerdy, check out this breakdown of Italian wine classifications!)

Wine Pairing Option: Rosé

If you’re not feeling something bubbly, you can go with another summer favorite – a dry rosé. Rosé offers a balance of acidity and fruit, which can pair well with both peaches and tomatoes. 

I don’t think you can walk into a wine or grocery store in the summer without being met by a pyramid of rosé, so I’ll just leave you with this: for a fail proof option, look for a bottle from Provence. You’ll likely see it labeled as either “Cotes de Provence” or “Coteaux d’Aix en Provence”. Even John Legend makes his LVE Rosé there!

So, ready to create your perfect summer wine and food pairing? Make that tomato and peach salad, grab some crusty bread (because, let’s face it, bread makes everything better), and set up your al fresco dining spot. Whether you’re channeling your inner Italian with a bubbly Prosecco or living out your French Riviera fantasies with a chilled rosé, your taste buds won’t be disappointed. 

Let me know what your favorite wine pairings are for fresh summer dishes featuring peaches and tomatoes!