Embracing the Magic of Outdoor Dining

Summer is near and the time for al fresco dining is here. Whether you’re indulging on the patio of your favorite restaurant or enjoying a meal in the backyard, the warmer months call for eating outdoors. There’s something magical about taking your meal outside—when the sun starts to dip low and the evening air feels like a warm hug. Al fresco dining isn’t just about eating beyond four walls; it’s a celebration of the season, of slowing down and savoring the moment. And summer, with all its vibrant flavors and golden light, practically begs us to take our meals outside.

A Perfect Evening for Outdoor Dining

The weather in Chicago was perfect recently, so I seized the opportunity to enjoy a meal in the fresh air.

To celebrate the occasion, I made pesto alla genovese pasta, also known as basil pesto, and served it with Obsession Symphony wine. The combination turned a mundane weekday into a memorable experience.

Creating the Perfect Pesto Pasta

Cascina San Cassiano’s Genoese Pesto Sauce made from 100% Italian basil, pine nuts, and garlic was an herbaceous anchor for the dish. I tossed it with al dente campanelle pasta, freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, a splash of pasta water, and a generous sprinkle of crushed red pepper. The result was a silky, flavorful pasta with just the right amount of richness and heat.

The Ideal Wine Pairing

To complement this herby dish, I chose Obsession’s Symphony wine—a beautifully crisp white wine made from a wine grape crossing of Grenache Gris and Muscat de Alexandria. This wine cuts through the pesto and enhances all the flavors on the plate. Fruit-forward notes and a subtle sweetness helped mellow the richness of the sauce and heat of the crushed red pepper. The aromatic wine features fragrant notes like honeysuckle and tropical flavors of peach and honeydew. Light and zesty, the wine has just enough acidity to refresh the palate and delivers a clean finish. Obsession Symphony is a bright addition to any collection and perfect for the warm summer months ahead.This wine is made from sustainably grown grapes from the Lodi appellation of Northern California. 

Making Every Meal Memorable

Al fresco dining, especially during summer, is a celebration of fresh ingredients, good company, and the beauty of nature. This simple pleasure requires minimal effort but will make any meal memorable. Pairing a dish like pesto alla genovese pasta with a wine such as Obsession Symphony creates a harmonious experience that I plan to recreate all summer long. Here’s to elevating the everyday and savoring the flavors of summer, one bite and sip at a time.