Summer Grilling Favorites

Take your summer gatherings to the next level and join us as we explore the perfect wine pairings for three recipes that make the most of grilling season.

Grilled Corn Elote Salad with Carneros Chardonnay

Nothing captures the essence of summer like the sweet, smoky flavors of grilled corn. Our Carneros Chardonnay is the ideal companion for this flavor-packed Grilled Corn Elote Salad, elevating the dish’s creamy textures and tangy lime flavors. The delicate notes of citrus and green apple in our Chardonnay balance the richness of the salad with a refreshing crispness.

Grilled Corn Elote Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 ears of corn, husked
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Grill the corn on the preheated grill, turning occasionally, until lightly charred, for about 8-10 minutes.
3. Once the corn is cool enough to handle, cut the kernels off the cob.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Add the grilled corn kernels to the bowl and toss to coat with the dressing.
6. Sprinkle the cotija cheese and chopped cilantro over the salad.
7. Give it a gentle stir to combine all the flavors.
8. Serve chilled.

Pomegranate-Glazed Grilled Salmon with Carneros Elizabeth Pinot Noir

Salmon and Pinot Noir are a match made in heaven. Because our Carneros Elizabeth Pinot Noir has notes of black cherry and pomegranate, we decided to switch up the glaze and use a pomegranate syrup, which complements the bright fruit notes in the wine. With a touch of mocha on the finish from aging in French oak barrels, our Carneros Pinot Noir adds a subtle earthiness that complements the savory sweetness of the dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup pomegranate syrup
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Chopped hazelnuts for garnish (optional)
• Fennel or tarragon for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the pomegranate syrup, honey, red wine vinegar, avocado oil, and garlic to make the marinade.
3. Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Let them marinate for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Remove the salmon fillets from the marinade and grill them, skin-side down, for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the salmon is cooked through and caramelized.
5. Sprinkle the grilled salmon with chopped hazelnuts (if desired) and garnish with chopped fennel or tarragon.
6. Serve the pomegranate-glazed grilled salmon with a glass of Elizabeth Pinot Noir.

Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Fraternity Red Wine Blend

Calling all vegetarian grilling enthusiasts! Our bold and versatile Fraternity Red Wine Blend is the perfect match for grilled vegetable skewers. The wine’s rich, velvety textures and hints of dark fruit effortlessly complement the natural sweetness of the grilled vegetables. For an extra touch of flavor, drizzle the skewers with a balsamic marinade that enhances the smoky flavors and adds a delicious tangy quality.

Grilled Vegetable Skewers Recipe

Ingredients:

Assorted vegetables of your choice (bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.), cut into chunks
1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Thread the vegetable chunks onto skewers, alternating the different vegetables.
4. Brush the vegetable skewers with the marinade.
5. Grill the skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred.
6. Serve the grilled vegetable skewers as a vegetarian main dish or side with a glass of Fraternity Red Blend.

As summer approaches, it’s time to embrace the beautiful outdoors with fresh flavors and relaxed gatherings with friends. We hope these recipes will inspire you to gather the crew and indulge in these flavorful pairings. Cheers!

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