‘Tis the season to gorge yourself on tomatoes. Market stalls overflow with colourful heirloom varieties from Green Zebra and Brandywine to Big Pink and Black Russian all chock-a-block with flavours. Then there are those delectable Sungold cherry tomatoes that concentrate all the memories of summer in one single bite…
I, for one, am eating my weight in nature’s candy. Whether raw, oven-dried or transformed to sauce, tomatoes grace every meal.
So what about wine? Well, the answer is always a resounding yes, but I admit to taking some extra care in my choices. As sweet and juicy as the season’s freshest tomatoes are, they still pack a mean punch of tangy acid. In fact, these highly assertive morsels can knock a wine out, zapping it of its vibrancy and rendering it dull and insipid.
When going head to head with tomatoes, bright and zesty wines with equally high acidity are an absolute must. A good rule of thumb is to seek out wines from cooler climes. You can also rely on specific varieties that are intrinsically bracing such as familiar favourites Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Feeling adventurous? Lesser-known gems like Spain’s fashionable Albariño and herb-tinged Verdejo grapes as well as Italy’s lemony Verdicchio, mineral-driven Assyrtiko from Greece and wines from Portugal’s Vinho Verde region are all very tomato friendly.
Prefer red? No problem. Italy serves up plenty of mouth-watering solutions. Sangiovese-based wines (like Chianti and Chianti Classico) and Barbera are classic partners with tomato based pasta sauces.
Feel free to mix and match the combinations below.
White
2014 Cono Sur, Organic Sauvignon Blanc • Valle de San Antonio, Chile • $12.79
Chile’s cool coastal region of San Antonio lends incredible freshness. A punchy package of juicy nectarine, pink grapefruit and sweet pea. Enjoy a glass with homemade salsa and crunchy corn chips.
2013 El Petit Bonhomme, Blanco • Ruedo DO, Spain • $13.29
This Verdejo-dominated white from the region of Rueda offers aromas of peach, apricot and melon along with fresh tarragon. Vibrant and citrusy on the palate, it’s a natural with Gazpacho.
2014 Argiolas • Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Italy • $17.99
The Vermentino grape simply oozes character: fragrant fennel, ripe lemon and thyme blossom meet exotic fruit. A zippy and zesty summer sipper. I vote for a tomato and burrata salad with lots of pungent basil.
2013 Henri Bourgeois, ‘Les Baronnes’ • Sancerre AOC, France • $27.79
The Loire Valley appellation of Sancerre boasts some of the greatest expressions of Sauv Blanc. Focused and precise, Les Baronnes displays notes of white grapefruit, mineral, grass and wet stone. Serve this racy number with ratatouille and goat cheese.
Red
2013 Gabbiano • Chianti DOCG, Italy • $13.49
Lip smacking red cherry, green tea and floral notes are hunger inducing. Medium weight and straightforward, this great value red is just so drinkable with spaghetti pomodoro or a margherita pizza.
Prices exclusive of taxes. All wines available at BC Liquor Stores.
