This will mark the 239th year for the United States to celebrate its freedom. What better way to observe this holiday than a time-honored tradition of gathering friends and family, grilling outside in the warm sun, and enjoying a glass of wine.
Wait, wine?
Shouldn't that read beer? Maybe even lemonade?
The pairing of wine with fireworks may seem a little bit out of the norm to some, but just wait until you have a sip of merlot after a bite of that smoked brisket. You now have a whole different reason to set fire to those extra Black Cats and celebrate.
Shortly after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the document was read in public for everyone to hear across the country. This brought about cheering and celebrations with fireworks and bells.
The tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July has evolved since the 1770s. Many cities in America have incorporated speeches and parades into their celebrations. Some hold music festivals and reenactments of the American Revolution.
But there's one tradition you'll see in every city and town across the states, and that's the gathering of people to enjoy good food and cold drinks.
When Americans celebrate their freedom, they don't skimp where food is concerned. From the first day of freedom to present day, feasts great and small have been had by many, and the diversity of such feasts is interesting.
Some are simple in nature, consisting of cold meats, biscuits, cakes and pastries. Others get pretty fancy and serve roasted celery-fed duck and littleneck clams, as seen in this 1899 menu from the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
See, it's all been done before!
You don't have to go to a fancy restaurant to have wine. And you certainly don't have to have a reason to celebrate to have your favorite bottle of Syrah. But since we are celebrating, why not bring the wine to the table? Those barbecued ribs you're cooking will go great with that bottle of Syrah you just opened.
So let this "culinary freedom" trickle over into your Fourth festivities this year. Don't be afraid to experiment — you'll never know what great American tradition you'll create.
The following are a few pairing ideas to get you started. Happy Fourth of July!
Steak: Though the seasoning will determine which you choose, red wine is always the choice here. A nice Bordeaux or Cabernet Sauvignon from California will be a good fit.
Hot dogs: Now we're getting creative. The truth is, thanks to the sweet and salty nature of the dog you prefer, you'll most likely be able to find a great wine to go with this all-America dish. For instance, dry or slightly sweet sparkling wines go well with hot dogs because the bubbles and acidity help cut the fattiness. The citrus flavors go well with the saltiness.
Chicken: If you're going simple roast with your bird this year, anything form a Chardonnay to a Pinot Noir will do. If you're going Southern and frying your bird, try a dry rosé wine from southern France or Spain. A fruity California Sauvignon Blanc will work, too.
Shrimp: With fried or grilled shrimp, you'll want to grab a bottle of Pinot Blanc or Chenin Blanc. If you prefer your shrimp in a garlic sauce, try a light to medium-weight red.
Apple pie: You can't forget the pie! This may be a bit tricky, depending on whether you serve your apple pie warm or not. Either way, if your recipe calls for cinnamon, try a Gewürztraminer. Ciders are popular these days, and a sweet cider will also pair well with your grandmother's famous apple pie.
