Beach-Friendly Wines

It’s smoky, Syrah-based and from an acclaimed producer—yet on the right side of $20.

Pairing: Sausage-and-Pepper Heros

Juicy ruby-red grapefruit flavors mark this wine from one of the Central Coast’s top producers.

Pairing: Grilled Miso Shrimp

Ponzi, one of Oregon’s most respected wineries, makes textbook Pinot Gris. That means fresh nectarine and white peach flavors and zesty acidity.

Pairing: Tofu-and-Vegetable Tacos with Eggplant-Ancho Spread

Named for a 19th-century plow invented in South Australia, this fresh wine is berry-driven.

Pairing: Gouda Burgers with Grilled Onions and Pickled Peppers

Importer Wineberry packages several of its wines in attractive wooden boxes, among them this meaty, spicy, Grenache-based red from the Rhône valley.

Pairing: Grilled Glazed Salmon

People who like big, dense California Chardonnays will love this one for its caramel-vanilla notes and superrich texture.

Pairing: Creamy Oyster Stew with Fennel and Brown Bread Toasts

From vineyards in the Wairau and Awatere valleys, this displays lively berry, savory herb and cedar notes.

Pairing: Buttermilk Chicken with Crispy Cornflakes

This lightly oaked, appley Chardonnay from California comes in boxes made from recycled cardboard printed with eco- friendly soy inks.

Pairing: Crab Rolls with Lemon Aioli

It's unusual to find good white Burgundy in a box (much less a cool wooden box). This sleek white justifies its higher price.

Pairing: Octopus Salad with Potatoes and Green Beans

Andrew Rich makes this fragrant, silky Pinot at the Carlton Winemakers Studio, a LEED-certified co-op winery that currently houses 11 different boutique producers.

Pairing: Focaccia Reubens