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If you didn’t already know, May 25 is National Wine Day in the U.S. Don’t feel bad, it snuck up on me, too, especially since in 2026 it falls on Memorial Day. Still, I never like to miss an opportunity to celebrate the almighty grape, so I’m multitasking this year. And I think I’ve stumbled upon the perfect crisp white wine that pairs beautifully with everything I’m throwing on the grill for the unofficial start to summer.
I’m talking something that complements grilled chicken—especially anything with lemon, herbs or garlic involved. It also works well with shrimp skewers, cedar plank salmon, grilled veggie kabobs or even a juicy turkey burger. So what is this delicious elixir? Well, for starters, it comes from Portugal’s Douro wine region.
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Quinta Nova
The 2022 Pomares Branco is one of those wines you take one sip of and immediately want to tell everyone at the table about. It’s a Portuguese white blend made with Viosinho, Gouveio and Rabigato grapes. You get these fresh notes of white peach, crisp apple and soft white florals right away, but what really makes it special is that little extra richness on the finish from being aged sur lie in stainless steel for four months.
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What Is Sur Lie, Anyway?
Sur lie is basically a fancy wine term for letting the wine hang out a little longer with leftover yeast particles after fermentation. That might sound weird, but it’s actually a good thing. Doing this gives the wine a smoother, slightly richer feel instead of tasting super sharp or thin. So even though the Pomares Branco is fresh and crisp, the sur lie aging helps make it feel a little softer and more rounded when you drink it.
So it’s bright and refreshing without feeling too sharp or overly citrusy. It has this smooth, polished vibe that makes it feel way more expensive than its $19 price tag, and who doesn’t love that? This is the kind of bottle that disappears fast at a backyard dinner party because everyone keeps going back for “just one more glass.”
If you don’t see it at your favorite wine shop, you can find a bottle of the Quinta Nova Pomares Branco at WineonSale.com for $18.95, and it ships within one to two business days.
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This story was originally published by Parade on May 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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