Grenache

Beef empanadas feature savory ground beef typically seasoned with aromatics like onions, garlic, and spices, enclosed in a flaky pastry crust. The rich, umami qualities of the beef call for medium to full-bodied red wines with moderate tannins and complementary spice notes, while beers with malty sweetness and moderate body provide refreshing contrast to the savory filling and fried pastry.

Braised beef, with its tender texture and deep, concentrated flavors developed through slow cooking, calls for beverages that can match its richness while providing complementary flavor notes. The tannins in red wines cut through the dish's fattiness, while the malty sweetness of the recommended beers echoes the caramelized elements that develop during the braising process.

Burgers feature rich, savory beef patties often topped with umami elements like cheese, caramelized onions, and various condiments. The juicy, fatty nature of a burger calls for beverages with enough structure to cut through the richness while complementing the savory meat flavors. Both the recommended wines and beers provide enough body and flavor intensity to stand up to this hearty dish without overwhelming it.

Cassoulet is a hearty, slow-cooked French casserole containing meat (typically duck confit, pork sausages, and sometimes mutton), white beans, and aromatics. Its rich, savory flavors and substantial body call for beverages with equal weight and complexity that can stand up to the dish's fatty components while complementing its earthy, herb-infused profile.

Charcuterie boards typically feature a variety of cured meats with rich, savory, and sometimes fatty profiles, often accompanied by pickles, mustards, and complementary items. The best pairings cut through the richness while complementing the savory flavors, with effervescent or high-acid options working particularly well to cleanse the palate between different components.

Grilled chicken offers a versatile canvas with smoky char notes that pair exceptionally well with both white and light red wines. The moderate intensity and lean protein content of grilled chicken benefits from wines with bright acidity to cut through the smokiness, while beers with refreshing qualities and complementary malt characters enhance the caramelized exterior of the meat.

Grilled sausages offer a smoky, savory profile with rich fat content that pairs beautifully with wines that have good acidity to cut through the fat and enough body to match the meat's intensity. For beers, the carbonation in crisp lagers and balanced malt-forward styles helps cleanse the palate between bites while complementing the smoky char from grilling.

Grilled vegetables offer smoky, caramelized flavors with natural sweetness that benefit from wines with bright acidity and herbal notes or light-to-medium bodied reds with good fruit character. The smoky char pairs wonderfully with the peppery, farmhouse qualities of a Saison, while crisp, clean beers like Pilsner complement without overwhelming the vegetables' nuanced flavors.

Herb-roasted chicken offers a classic savory profile with aromatic herbs that complement the natural flavors of the meat. The dish strikes a balance between richness from the roasting process and brightness from the herbs, making it versatile for pairing with both medium-bodied whites and lighter reds that won't overpower the delicate meat.

Herb-roasted duck breast presents a luxurious combination of rich, gamey meat with aromatic herbs that enhance its natural flavors. The medium-fatty nature of duck breast with its crispy skin and succulent meat requires beverages that can balance the richness while complementing the herbaceous notes.

Herb-roasted pork offers savory, aromatic qualities with a tender, juicy texture. The herb components create layers of flavor that pair beautifully with wines that offer fruit-forward notes balanced by acidity, while beers with complementary malt sweetness and spice notes enhance the herbaceous qualities of the dish.

Lamb empanadas feature savory, slightly gamey meat encased in flaky pastry, creating a rich contrast of textures with earthy, herbaceous notes. The recommended wines offer medium to full body with sufficient tannins to complement the lamb's richness while providing dark fruit notes that enhance the savory filling. The suggested beer styles provide malty sweetness and toasted notes that highlight the pastry while having enough body to stand up to the lamb.

South Africa might not be the first place that comes to mind for Grenache, but this bottle from Arendsig makes a compelling case that perhaps it should be. Part of winemaker Lourens van der Westhuizen's 'Inspirational Batch' series, this small-production wine represents his creative experiments beyond the winery's core range – and the inspiration clearly struck gold here. This Grenache captures the variety's inherent charm – that perfect balance of fruity and savory that makes it so food-friendly – while adding a distinctly South African accent. There's a brightness and purity to the fruit that speaks of the country's abundant sunshine, tempered by an earthy complexity that keeps things grounded. Made with minimal intervention from single-vineyard fruit, it's a wonderful example of the exciting wines emerging from South Africa's dynamic wine scene. For fans of Pinot Noir or Cru Beaujolais looking to expand their horizons, this bottle offers familiar pleasure with a new perspective.

Clavel Languedoc Le Mas is a robust red blend from Domaine Clavel, showcasing the terroir of Languedoc with balanced intensity. This southern French wine offers Mediterranean character with good structure and depth.

D'Arenberg's The Stump Jump GSM is a classic McLaren Vale blend that showcases the region's warm climate characteristics. This medium-bodied red offers bright fruit flavors with subtle spice and earthy notes, delivering excellent value from one of Australia's iconic producers.

Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors is a rich blend of old-vine Syrah and Grenache from the rocky, windswept terroir of Roussillon. This wine offers impressive depth and concentration with a silky texture, showcasing the unique Mediterranean character of this southern French appellation.

Les Hauts Plateaux Rosé embodies the Provençal art of rosé-making – pale, elegant, and utterly refreshing. From the sun-drenched hills of southern France comes this classic blend of Grenache and Cinsault that captures summer in a bottle, regardless of when you open it. What makes this rosé special is its perfect balance between fruit and savory elements – there's plenty of delicate berry notes, but they're complemented by that distinctive herbal quality that speaks clearly of its Mediterranean origins. It's dry without being austere, fruity without being sweet – hitting that perfect middle ground that makes Provence rosés so universally appealing. While some rosés feel like simple poolside sippers, this one has enough complexity to take to the dinner table. It's the kind of pink wine that reminds you why French rosé became the global standard – they simply do it better.

This charming red from southern France's Languedoc region delivers exactly what its name promises – a little star in your glass. Mas des Etoiles crafts this wine from traditional Mediterranean varieties grown on sun-drenched slopes where the cooling sea breeze keeps things fresh. Petite Etoile punches well above its weight with a balance of fruit-forward appeal and just enough complexity to keep things interesting. It's the kind of bottle that disappears mysteriously fast at dinner parties – probably because everyone keeps sneaking an extra splash when no one's looking. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings where you want something that's simply delicious without requiring a dissertation on terroir.

Perrin Côtes du Rhône Reserve Rosé is a classic Rhône Valley rosé produced by the esteemed Famille Perrin. This 2022 vintage offers a delicate balance of freshness and fruit-forward character with the structure and depth typical of Rhône rosés.

Rose v. Wade Rosé is a purposefully provocative name for a seriously good bottle of pink wine – with a portion of proceeds supporting women's reproductive rights. This Provençal-style blend brings together Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault grown on California's Central Coast, crafted in the classic dry style that's meant for enjoyment year-round (not just pool season). Made with minimal intervention and direct pressing (not the saignée method), this rosé focuses on freshness and purity of fruit rather than power. It's the perfect bottle to bring to gatherings where conversations might benefit from both a delicious beverage and a reminder of important issues. The clever name might initially catch your attention, but the quality in the glass will be what you remember – that and the satisfaction of supporting a cause with every sip. Who said activism can't be delicious?

The Pepper Pot is a Rhône-style red blend from the Swartland region of South Africa, produced by Sadie Family Wines. This medium-bodied wine offers a vibrant expression of the region with spicy notes balanced by fresh red fruit and an earthy character.

Thistledown 'Gorgeous Grenache' Old Vine is a premium expression of Australian Grenache made from old bush vines in McLaren Vale. This wine showcases the region's ability to produce elegant yet powerful Grenache with minimal intervention winemaking techniques that highlight the pure fruit expression and savory complexity.

Two Shepherds crafts this Grenache with a gentle hand, letting the grape's natural charm shine through without heavy-handed winemaking. This isn't your typical fruit bomb – it's a thoughtful, nuanced wine that speaks more of place than power. William Allen (the shepherd-in-chief) follows a minimalist approach, with native fermentation and neutral oak aging that preserves the wine's delicate character. The result is a Grenache that would make the Rhône Valley proud but with a distinctly California sunshine personality. For those tired of overblown reds, this wine is a breath of fresh air – like finding a quiet, intelligent conversation at a party full of loud talkers.

Lil Trouble might be the name, but this wine will solve more problems than it causes – namely, the problem of finding a versatile red that works with practically everything. Two Shepherds crafts this delightfully light-footed blend in a style that drinks somewhere between a rosé and a red. Made with minimal intervention and a light touch, this is the antithesis of those heavy, over-extracted reds that leave you feeling like you've been chewing on a tree. Instead, it's the kind of wine that disappears from your glass mysteriously quickly and leaves you reaching for more. Slightly chilled on a warm evening, it's the kind of trouble worth getting into – repeatedly.

Vignerons Ardechois Rouge is a red wine produced by a cooperative of winemakers in the Ardèche region of France, part of the southern Rhône Valley. This approachable wine typically showcases the regional character with a blend of Rhône varieties, offering good value and authentic French character.