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End of Summer Wine Pairings with Laurent Vernhes

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Published
09/03/2026

With Labor Day marking the unofficial end of summer, entertaining shifts into one last round of long-weekend dinners, backyard gatherings, and relaxed celebrations. For hosts looking to elevate the table without overthinking the wine selection, mva.wine offers a curated approach to wine discovery that takes the guesswork out of choosing what to pour.

Founded by Tablet Hotels founder Laurent Vernhes, mva.wine is a discovery-led wine membership centered on small-production wines from independent winemakers around the world. Each collection features six wines selected through a rigorous blind tasting process at Maison Vernhes in Tuscany, with the focus on what's in the glass rather than labels, prestige, or popularity.

Grandson of a winemaker and a longtime hospitality entrepreneur, Vernhes is passionate about helping consumers discover exceptional wines beyond the familiar labels. Check out some of Laurent’s favorite pairings "à la mva." below.

 

1. First things first: l'apéritif

 

Summer is a time for rosé, of course! Our favourite at mva is Château Romanin's Grand Vin Rosé 2023. I like to say that it's a serious rosé: it's light, it's refreshing, but it has the oomph and the complexity of a truly amazing wine.

And now comes the great question: what do we pair it with? As an easy bite, I usually make olive tapenade. I like green olives, but it also works with black olives, smoked olives, or any type you prefer. The recipe is always the same: take 200g of olives, 5 tablespoons of olive oil, one clove of garlic, a pinch of pepper, and crush everything in a bowl until smooth. Spread on toasted bread.

You can adjust by adding a teaspoon of capers, 5 anchovies, or more garlic (I will not disclose the quantity I personally like to add. Let's just say I am a garlic enthusiast). And voilà: it's that easy!

 

2. It's time we started thinking about starters

 

Maybe it's the weekend and you've invited a bunch of friends over. Maybe you're just enjoying a quiet lunch in an idyllic, remote spot. Either way, you'd like a refreshing white to match the mood. I have just the thing: Domaine La Piffaudière's Sauvignon 2022. It has all the seductive freshness of a Sauvignon Blanc, only with more temperament.

How do we match that temperament? My mind goes to seasonal produce. More specifically, peaches: they are my favourite summer fruit, and I have just the idea to make them the star of the show. Spread creamy burrata on a flat dish. Peel and slice the juiciest peaches you found at the local market and place them over the burrata. Coat generously in olive oil, add salt and pepper, and fresh basil leaves.

Sometimes less is more. So much more.

 

3. And now for the main event

 

We've explored rosé and white, which are the obvious summer choices. But I promise red wines can also find their place at your table in August. Take Château Pech Redon's L'Éperon 2022 for example: it's a bold, peppery red from the South of France, whose greatest quality is its versatility. Serve it chilled with grilled meat in your garden, and it will feel like the perfect summer pour.

Barbecue is of course a great option with this wine: pork ribs or lamb chops, as you prefer. And don't forget the sides: what I like to do, to keep my hands free and enjoy the rosé with my guests, is roast tomatoes in the oven.

Cut summer tomatoes in half and place them in an oven dish. Stuff with garlic cloves, drench in olive oil, add salt, pepper, and a little rosemary. Roast at 350°F for 45 minutes to an hour. Serve as is, or with rice. Just like that, you have a delicious side dish in season.

Wine is sometimes seen as a beverage reserved for special occasions. For complicated cuisine. It has this reputation of grandeur, and it's true that opening a great bottle to celebrate something important is one of the best feelings in the world. But I say wine is also something perfectly attuned to the beauty of simple moments of togetherness. And we need more of these.

 

For more information, visit https://www.mva.wine/.

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