I put together this riff on a Greek salad last weekend, and it just may be my “house” salad for the summer. The pinch of cumin in the lemony vinaigrette gives an earthy touch that compliments the baby spinach and seems to tie it all together. This salad works well alongside main courses like roasted chicken or grilled shrimp.

Recipe: Salad: Spinach, Cucumber & Feta Salad with Cumin Vinaigrette
Serves 6

Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt & pepper
8 cups (about 8 ounces) prewashed baby spinach leaves
1 seedless (English) cucumber, cut in half lengthwise and thinly sliced
6 ounces crumbed Greek Feta cheese

In a large serving bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil and cumin. Add a little salt and pepper, but go easy on the salt because the Feta is usually fairly salty! Add the spinach, cucumber slices and Feta and toss to combine. Check for seasoning and serve.

Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc is a good salad wine because the crisp acidity can stand up to the vinegar (or in this case, lemon juice) in most dressings. Here are a few to try:

Kunde 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma Valley Magnolia Lane ($17). Refreshing and appealing, with juicy lime accents to smooth melon and guava, with a clean, lightly grassy finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Merryvale 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Starmont ($18). Really pretty stuff here, with ripe, aromatic tropical melon laced with vibrant lemon, lime and juicy orange, with a touch of cream on the long, concentrated finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Rancho Arroyo Grande 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Monterey County Deep Sea ($18). Pungent (in a good way!) with mineral and grapefruit aromas and flavors, along with juicy orange and honeydew, and a long, crisp finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Sbragia Family Vineyards 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Home Ranch ($20). Ripe, boldly flavored, with tropical citrus, fleshy peach aromas and flavors that pick up touches of citrus zest and straw through the long, complex finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-06-06)

St. Supery 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley ($20). I just loved this wine — for its fresh, pretty lime and grapefruit aromas and flavors, as well for the complex floral/mineral/grass character that slowly emerges on the long finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-06-06)