Above and beyond the pleasures of swimming, dining al fresco, and baseball (pre-2020), there is really only one reason to look forward to summer: tomatoes. When those big, juicy, red orbs swell with sweet nectar, ready to be plucked from the vine, sliced up, and eaten with just a sprinkle of sea salt and perhaps a drizzle of olive oil, then summer has really arrived.
     There are countless ways to enjoy tomatoes, each one more glorious than the next. The most basic preparations require no preparation whatsoever, relying solely on the innate deliciousness of the King of Fruits and Vegetables to satisfy our taste buds.
     Raw, they demand minimal seasoning, but nobody could blame you for sprucing up your plate with a dollop of creamy burrata, some basil, a few filets of briny cured anchovies, or a couple slices of crusty toasted country bread.
     Tomatoes’ combination of sweetness and acidity can be a challenge to many wines. Dry rosés, however, have enough fruit to stand up to a perfectly ripe specimen, with the tangy acidity to match. But pink wines are far from the only option; depending on the characteristics of your tomato and what other flavors you choose to associate, the opportunities for clever and satisfying matches are bounteous. And as soon as your tomatoes see heat, their deep, savory essence can easily combine with darker, more structured reds.
     So here they are—a dozen tomato wines, discounted, boxed up, and ready to go, to honor the ultimate symbol of summer. Pomodoro, ti amo!