When the weather heats up, it’s time to uncover your outdoor furniture and release the grill from its cold weather slumber. Now is the time when we collectively move from stick-to-your-ribs soup season to grilled meats, vibrant summer salads, and a bounty of light-as-air fresh fruit desserts.

Now is also a great time to stock up on the best wines that pair beautifully with summer recipes!

Grilled salmon pairs nicely with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. Not surprisingly, since both salmon and both varietals flourish in the Pacific Northwest.

My pick: Ensemble Pinot Noir from Suzor Wines ($25). For every bottle sold, $10 will be donated to donated to Family Meal, a Portland non-profit providing specific COVID-19 relief grants for Oregon’s food service, agricultural workers, and their family.

PAIRING TIP: food and grapes that are found in the same area tend to go well with one another.

BBQ ribs are a summer gathering staple at our house, and we’ll often make them on the grill when the sun is shining. Or, we make these super easy Instant Pot BBQ Ribs. Either way, pairing BBQ ribs with a medium- to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is the way to go.

My pick: Dama 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon ($55, Walla Walla, WA). This is one of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignons from the Pacific Northwest. Rich dark bing cherry, elegant tannins, this pairs perfectly with summer’s hearty BBQ dishes, pastas, and is a gorgeous wine to enjoy on its own.