Zucchini Soup

White · Medium · Dry

The most-planted white grape and the most chameleon-like. Crisp and steely from Chablis; rich, oaky, and tropical from California. Read the label, then match the style to the dish.

Works with Apple Zucchini Soup · Zucchini And Goats Feta Soup · Zucchini Soup With Ginger And Thyme

Red · Light · Dry

Burgundy's most temperamental grape, but the rewards are real — translucent ruby with a perfumed lift of red cherry, forest floor, and clove. Silken tannins and bright acid make it the most versatile red on the table; serve cool, around 58°F.

Works with Apple Zucchini Soup · Zucchini And Goats Feta Soup · Zucchini Soup With Ginger And Thyme

Fortified · Medium · Dry

Andalusia's fortified white — runs from bone-dry Fino through nutty Amontillado to syrupy PX. The dry styles pair brilliantly with tapas; the sweet ones replace dessert entirely.

Works with Apple Zucchini Soup · Zucchini And Goats Feta Soup · Zucchini Soup With Ginger And Thyme

Rosé · Light · Dry

Provence's gift to summer — dry, pale, faintly strawberry-and-citrus, with low alcohol and crisp acid. Made to drink cold, with food, in the shade.

Works with Apple Zucchini Soup · Zucchini Soup With Ginger And Thyme

White · Light · Dry

Citrus, cut grass, and a wire of acid. Marlborough makes it loudest; Sancerre makes it most refined. Either way, it cuts cleanly through goat cheese, herbs, and anything with shellfish.

Works with Apple Zucchini Soup · Zucchini Soup With Ginger And Thyme

White · Full · Dry

California's flagship white — rounder, riper, and oakier than the Old World original, with tropical fruit, butter, and vanilla. Sonoma Coast and Sta. Rita Hills bottlings are leaner; Napa stays plush.

White · Light · Dry

California's take — riper than Sancerre, calmer than Marlborough, with grapefruit, melon, and a clean mineral finish. The everyday white that pairs with almost anything green or briny.

Red · Full · Dry

Barolo's slightly softer sibling — same Nebbiolo grape, lighter touch, ready to drink younger. Elegance over power, with a perfume of violets and a long, savory finish.

Red · Full · Dry

The benchmark for full-bodied red — structured, age-worthy, unapologetic. Black currant, graphite, and tobacco lead into firm tannins that demand protein on the plate. Decant young bottles; cellar the serious ones.

Red · Medium · Dry

Piedmont's everyday red — soft, plummy, low-acid, gulpably friendly. The wine you reach for when Barolo feels like a commitment.

A specialty bottling we haven't documented in detail. Treat the first sip as research — note the body and acidity, then choose food that matches.

Spain's overlooked next-door neighbor to Rioja — Tempranillo and Garnacha with bright red fruit, soft tannins, modest prices. Often the best-value Spanish red on the shelf.