If you feel like doing some fancy cooking, here is the wine to kick things off: Greco di Tufo Feudi di San Gregorio ($22), a scintillating white that does not sacrifice freshness and vibrancy for body and character. In fact, it has plenty of all those things. You can sip while you prep and cook, and pour the little that is left when you serve the first bites, of, perhaps, grilled octopus and scallops over some braised kale.
Since the grill is hot, you can put on the marinated pork shoulder chops, a little lower heat and slower cooking, and proceed to Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Classique ($50) for some seriously rich, dark red berry fruits, tobacco, chocolate, a hint of violet. Unbelievably long finish, and meant for slow sipping over a long dinner.
