Light yet satisfying and simply delicious, an omelette is a go-to favourite during the summer. A combination of delicate buttery flavors with a soft, slightly fluffy texture, a sprinkling of cheese adds rich, savory notes and a hint of umami, while fresh herbs like chives or parsley contribute a fresh, aromatic lift. There’s no contest here: A lively, zappy Champagne is the ideal wine for this tasty, delicate, comfort food.

We’re with the legendary Lily Bollinger when it comes to Champagne. Famous for, in so many words, saying there was no bad time for this sparkling wine, our pick for lunch or dinner omelette is 2008 Jacques Selosse Millesime. Crispy orchard fruit, nutty notes, citrus, buttery pastry, and nuanced smoky hints plus vibrant tartness make this Champagne the perfect partner for this easy, much-loved dish.

What nails it?

This pairing has it all. The effervescence of Champagne cuts through the eggy opulence of the recipe while its creamy mouthfeel enhances its light airiness. The bright fruity tones add contrast while also highlighting herby hints, and the smoky notes complement the savory richness of a classic omelette.

Summer isn’t summer without rosé wine, but what to pair with a refreshing glass? Let’s be daring and go for Nasi Goreng, a legendary Indonesian stir-fried rice dish that features a delicious (and challenging!) blend of sweet, savory, and spicy elements. Exotic, yummy, and easy to make, this dish features the fiery notes of garlic and chilli plus sweet soy sauce hints. You can add chicken, shrimp, or even a fried egg to Nasi Goreng, resulting in an explosion of textures and flavors that call out for a fresh wine that highlights its character without overpowering.

With its subtle red fruit and gentle tartness, Rosé fits the bill and, for us, it has to be a Provence like 2014 Esclans Provence Rose Garrus. Light and fruity with lovely minerality, it’s an excellent match for the eclectic flavor profile of Nasi Goreng.

What nails it?

This Provence’s crisp minerality balances the mouthwatering medley of intense flavors while its fruitiness offsets the spicy heat. Vibrant acidity cuts through the delicate crispiness of the fried rice. Heavenly!

Monkfish is a famously meaty fish that offers delightfully dense but mild flavors and a very subtle sweetness. A creamy lemon butter sauce itself is a great pairing with this fish because it adds freshness and richness as well as a satiny, smooth texture, all easily soaked up by this versatile fish. A touch of parsley or thyme adds an aromatic layer that finishes off this recipe elegantly. On to wine pairing, our choice for this superb summer dish is a classic Sancerre such as the 2019 Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Edmond.

This wine both contrasts and complements the flavors and succulent textures of Lemon Butter Monkfish to perfection. Ripe citrus and white peach plus delicate florals and a trademark flinty minerality, offer depth and complexity and precision that fit snugly around this fish dish.

What nails it?

What’s not to like about this pairing? The fresh fruit of this Sancerre’s fruit highlights the lemony brightness of the sauce, while its tartness contrasts the richness of the monkfish. The minerality of the wine also enhances the pleasing umami tones of the monkfish. Just delicious!

Steak in the heat of the summer? Why not – and let’s go for prime Wagyu beef while we’re at it! The luxurious flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture of this premium beef mean it needs little dressing up (a little salt and pepper is enough), but it does cry out for a wine that will show it off in all its glory. We think there’s nothing better than a Barolo for this deluxe beef, and 2017 Burlotto Barolo Cannubi is the perfect pick.

This five-star red showcases pure linear cherry, notes of raspberry, signature dried rose, white pepper, and crushed stone, displaying a complexity that goes toe-to-toe with a perfectly-seared Wagyu steak.

What nails it?

In a word, tannins. Barolo’s trademark tannic structure stands up to the layered intensity of Wagyu while its searing acidity cuts through the juiciness of the meat, and its red fruit adds a contrasting lift against the steak’s umami.

Seems like every culture has a go-to chicken recipe, and no surprise considering the versatility of this mild, tender, and flavorful poultry. Scrumptious all year round, Chicken Mafe is a traditional dish from West Africa that features a creamy, spicy, peanut-based sauce packed with any mix of flavor and texture-enhancing vegetables like carrots, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, or okra. Rich and nutty with gentle chilli heat, this hearty dish needs a wine that matches without overpowering its subtle blend of elements. It’s got to be a rounded, layered Napa Valley Chardonnay! Our choice is Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2019.

You can tell right off from its beautiful, bright yellow color that this fine Chardonnay bursts with fruit, including orchard fruit and citrus, with hints of mint (and even licorice) adding depth. Energetic and crisp, it also displays notable depth and texture despite no malolactic fermentation, but several months of lees aging and some new oak. Precise with a long finish, yep, this will do very well with a plate of Chicken Mafe.

What nails it?

Both the wine and the dish have equal amounts of flavor and texture complexity that lend to matching each other without dominating, and the freshness of the Chardonnay cuts through the creamy, nutty sauce of the Mafe. What’s more, is there ever a time when Chardonnay doesn’t go like a dream with chicken?

Fruit salad is one of those desserts that make summer even more delightful. With its mix of berries, apple, citrus, and other fresh fruits, its simplicity is what gives it its star quality (what’s more refreshing on a July or August evening?). Fresh and juicy with a trace of sweetness, it needs a wine that highlights its lively summery character. Enter, Rosé Champagne – Louis Roederer Cristal Rose 2006 to be specific!

Finessed and elegant, red berry fruit is in the foreground against a backdrop of chalky texture and very fine, feathery, silky tannins. Layered and graceful with lively effervescence, this rosé Champagne is so perfect for fruit salad, they could have been separated at birth!

What nails it?

The lively bubbles and red berry fruit reflect the light freshness of the salad, while the subtle sweetness of both match seamlessly.