Firing up the grill for burgers, lamb chops, or shish kabobs? Opt for easy-drinking, medium-bodied reds:
Diliberto TRE 2013 ($26) is a bright, mouthwatering Bordeaux blend with only 12.5 percent alcohol.
Shinn Estate Vineyards Mojo 2015 ($22), a vibrant, fresh, and spicy Cabernet Franc, is best served slightly chilled.
From Long Island’s Pinot specialist, McCall Pinot Noir 2013 ($30) has dark cherry and spice notes, with a hint of vanilla from being barrel-aged in French oak.
Carménère, a varietal typically associated with Chile, is being grown on the North Fork by Osprey Dominion, whose Carménère 2012 ($24) has aromas of anise, pepper, and ripe fruit. It’s a great match for red meat.
Shellfish extravaganza? Make it interesting and ask your guests to weigh in on which white or sparkling wine pairs best:
How exciting to find a variety typical of Spain’s Rías Baixas region on the East End. Winemaker Miguel Martin has a big hit with his crisp, gardenia-scented Palmer Vineyards Albariño 2015 ($28), which boasts flavors of orange and peach.
A nuanced blend of four white grapes, Macari Vineyards Dos Aguas 2014 ($20) has citrus and stone-fruit flavors, plus an edgy acidity and minerality that perfectly complement most shellfish.
With its creamy mousse and flinty notes of apple and lime, Sparkling Pointe Brut 2013 ($29) is an ideal match for oysters.
Paumanok Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2014 ($28) features hints of grapefruit, peach, and pineapple, along with a racy acidity.
Having a clambake? Nothing is better than a crisp rosé:
The undisputable pink specialist Channing Daughters uses six different grape varieties to produce its selection of rosés, which includes Rosato di Merlot 2015 ($20), a luminescent salmon-pink wine with vivid watermelon, cherry, and raspberry flavors.
The new Finca Wölffer Rosé 2016 ($17) is a blend of mostly Malbec, along with white grapes (including Torrontés).
Croteaux Vineyards, which produces rosé exclusively, puts out four tasty Merlot versions, including the Merlot 181 Rosé ($20), memorable for its hints of honeysuckle and saline finish.
Guests wouldn’t dare turn up their nose at a bottle of Bridge Lane Rosé ($18), a cocktail-hour standout with fresh guava, strawberry, and watermelon flavors.
