The SWURL Guide To July 4th Wines (Read: Hot Dog Pairings)
By Eliza Dumais & Nathan Bodenstein
July 4th does, allegedly, hold some historic relevance — but in practice, it can be more aptly described as an homage to hot dogs, copious alcohol consumption, and explosives (the holy trinity). Celebration = consumption. In turn, when it comes to selecting your festive beverages of choice, it pays to do so with intention.
With that in mind, we’ve culled together a roster of wines that pair brilliantly with encased meat and firework displays.
Here’s a look at the wine we’re drinking this weekend. We highly suggest you follow our lead.
Disclaimer: Please remember to enjoy responsibly: do not consume alcohol while handling fireworks. Always follow safety guidelines and local laws to prevent accidents and injuries.
Iruai
Shasta Cascade, California
"Shasta-Cascade" 2023
Sitting at 3,000 ft elevation in northern California, just south of the Oregon border, Iruai is creating some very special wines in an area they describe as “a cross between Switzerland and Montana.” What started out as a project making wine in 2013 turned into a much larger affair as they settled on a vineyard in Etna, California. This specific wine is a blend of Savagnin, Grüner Veltliner, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Savagnin Rose Musqué. It has bright acidity, citrus fruits and notes of almonds. To quote Iruai, “Imagine dropping a Ricola (or a shot of Chartreuse) into a margarita and setting off in a canoe.”
Martha Stouman
Sebastopol, California
"Post Flirtation White" 2022
Martha Stouman’s Post Flirtation White 2022 consists of Vermentino, Roussanne, Marsanne and Muscat Blanc and comes from Cecchini & Cecchini Vineyard in Oakley, Contra Costa County. The Mediterranean-esque climate, sandy soils, and salty waters of the Carquinez Strait give way to a wine that’s summery, salty, and easy as hell to drink. Martha’s goal has always been to create wines that answer the question, “What does California taste like?” and this wine does just that.
Terah Wine Co
Central Coast, California
"Rosé" 2023
Rosé season is here, and for us, this bottle is a premiere example: On the palate, refreshing acidity balances with light red fruits and minerality (the defining characteristics of a great summer wine). On the heels of a lengthy career spent working in the hospitality industry while simultaneously working harvests throughout Spain and France for the better part of 13 years, Terah is finally making her own wine on California’s Central Coast. This particular wine is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, sourced from Paicines Ranch, a regenerative ranch that serves as a habitat for a diverse group of animals and food products.
Cati Ribot
Mallorca, Spain
"Ve d'Avior Son Llebre Negre" 2021
This light red is made up of grapes native to the island of Mallorca: Escursac, Callet, and Callet Negrella. Cati and her father, Jaume, originally planted more common international grapes in the 1990s, however, in 2006, they decided to concentrate on reviving ancient Mallorquin grape varieties, such as those featured in this wine. Cati is certainly reshaping the landscape of Mallorquin wine, and this particular wine is one we absolutely love. It offers a fresh and fruity profile with notes of strawberry, mushroom, and hints of dark fruits. Best served chilled, with a hot dog on the side.
Chateau Sulauze
Provence, France
"Charbonnieres" 2021
With little assistance from the French Government’s farm subsidization program, Karina and Guillaume Lefèvre purchased Domaine de Sulauze in 2004 and quickly converted the vineyard into an organic and biodynamic farm which includes wheat fields and olive trees. We recently had this wine at the Old Chatham Country Store & Cafe in Chatham, New York and we fell in love. It’s a blend of Grenache and Syrah, showcasing the beauty of Provence terroir. This sort of carbonic chillable red is bright and juicy, aromatic, and frankly too easy to drink. It brings out the playful side of what Grenache and Syrah have to offer together.
Barbichette
Finger Lakes, New York
“Oui Non” Rouge 2023
Cesar and Lou, the Brooklyn-based couple behind Finger Lakes wine project, Barbichette, are making serious strides to put New York natural wine on the map — and this year, they've got Pinot Noir and Chardonnay cuveés to give France a run for its money. When it comes to summer bottles meant to be enjoyed on ice, outdoors (with some Heinz ketchup in reach) ((sorry, France)) Oui Non is an easy go-to. Made with a coferment of Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Seyval Blanc, this stuff is fruit-forward with a sturdy acid backbone. Think of it like grown-up cherry cola…but chic.