July's wine list: 5 food and wine pairings for summer

From a spicy shiraz to crisp chardonnay, these are the best wines to pair with this month’s dinner recipes.

Boschendal The Pavilion Chenin Blanc/Viognier, South Africa, $11.

Pair it with: Tofu & black bean burger

With a spicy, honeyed nose reminiscent of lemons and quince, this quirky blend delivers a lot of wine for the dollar. Crisp acidity and a sustained mineral finish round out this exceptional-value bottle.

Laurent Miquel Pére et Fils Chardonnay, France, $12.

Pair it with: Citrus grilled chicken with pineapple salad.

Summery chicken dishes call for a refreshing glass of crisp unoaked chardonnay. This one from the Midi, in France, has an irresistible nose of Golden Delicious apple, pear and lemon zest.

Sandhill Cabernet Merlot, British Columbia, $20.

Pair it with: Steak & egg burger with summer tomato salad.

Turn on the charm alongside this tasty burger with a well-crafted, seductive red. Expect generous lashings of juicy cassis with hints of leather-bound books and fragrant cedar.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier, Chile, $10.

Pair it with: Chili-mint shrimp and noodle salad.

This bargain-priced, easy-drinking white is a carnival of ripe pineapple, peach, pear and mango flavours. The wine is textured and mouth filling with a sturdy acid backbone to give it structure.

Evans & Tate Metricup Road Shiraz, Australia, $23.

Pair it with: Chipotle beef tacos.

Extremely food-compatible and vibrant, this spicy, black-cherry-focused shiraz certainly has the heft to stand up to this intensely spiced dish, and it does so with considerable panache.