BBQ Wine Pairings: 10 Summer BBQ Wines
Summer is here and for many it’s also BBQ season. BBQ wine pairings are not rocket science (though some BBQ’d food does look like it’s been to space and back!). Choosing the appropriate wines for your BBQ is pretty straight forward and should follow a few simple guidelines.
Generally speaking, BBQ food flavours are big and bold, and it’s likely that meats will have been marinated, or coated in herbs and spice mix. Whatever has been thrown on the grill will most probably be accompanied by various salads, and it’s the dressings used that can sometimes compete with the enjoyment of the wines being opened. If the wine is too dry or has racy acidity, it may not be the best choice as it will ‘clash’ with a vinegary dressing.
So go for wines with bold, rich and more obvious flavours, and nothing too dry. Wines with juiciness and depth, that can also be enjoyed on their own are the ones to go for… after all the BBQ chef cannot be rushed and there may be some waiting involved!
BBQ Wine Pairings Cheatsheet: What wines go well with BBQing?
The first thing is that there’s no wrong answer for BBQ wine pairings and it’s also worth experimenting to see what you like or even sticking with a trusted favourite. The wine pairing ideas listed below are some classic and reliable combinations, but personal preference always plays a big role.
When it comes to barbequed red meats specifically, bolder red wines tend to work best. This is because the umami and high fat content of the meat and the higher tannins in the red wine are a good match for each other as they balance each other out. There are so many options here, including Shiraz/Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Reds, Rhône Blends, Tempranillo, Chiantis/Sangiovese, Merlot, etc.
For white meats and fish, whites are a good way to go, although some lighter-bodied reds (like Frappato, Pinot Noir) and rosés would certainly work too, especially for fish that’s more pink in colour, like salmon or tuna.
Here’s a ‘cheatsheet’ list of some of the most classic and trusted BBQ wine pairings:
- Steak – Syrah/Shiraz, Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon, etc (most bold reds will do, see more below)
- Burgers – Shiraz, Bordeaux Reds, Tempranillo, etc (most bold reds will do, see more below)
- Pork sausages – Carménère, Grenache, Pinot Noir
- Pork chops – Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, dry Riesling, even dry rosé (see more about sauces below)
- BBQ chicken – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, (can depend on the sauce, see more below)
- Salmon – Rosé or rosé Prosecco, Pinot Gris, chilled Pinot Noir or Frappato
- White fish – Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Grüner Veltliner
- Veggie burgers – Malbec, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, orange wines
- Grilled Halloumi – Sauvignon Blanc, Prosecco, Pinot Grigio
- Veggie skewers – white wines, rosés, orange wines, Frappato
- Grilled mushrooms – oaked Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
BBQ Wine Pairings: Ten recommended BBQ wines
Chateau Rochecolombe Cotes du Rhone: This delicious Côtes du Rhône from our friends at Rochecolombe is a big, spicy and full partner to bigger flavoured dishes. Made from 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah and manually harvested from 50+ year old vines.
Pair with: BBQd burgers, steaks and other red meats
£13.99
Domaine Bousquet Reserve Malbec: This is a deliciously drinkable modern Malbec loved by critics the world over. Aged for ten months in solely French oak for more finesse and smoothness, the subtle flavouring works well in this wine.
Pair with: BBQd burgers, steaks and other red meats
£15.50
Greenia Cabernet Sauvignon No Added Sulphur: A scrumptious no added sulphur Cabernet Sauvignon from the sunny Languedoc with a low carbon footprint inside and out. An intense, deep colour with round blackcurrant and cassis notes with a cedar spiced finish.
Pair with: BBQd burgers, steaks and other red meats
£12.95
Iranzo Spartico Tempranillo Cabernet No Sulphur Added: Its label might be unassuming, but this wine’s excellent customer reviews speak for itself. A 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon that’s smoky and slightly savoury style, making it the ideal BBQ red.
Pair with: BBQd burgers, steaks and other red meats
£11.99
Jasci Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: A dark and juicy Montepulciano with a touch of spice exhibiting all the classic hallmarks of this much-loved wine style. The tannins are well sculpted, lending an attractive dry edge to the finale.
Pair with: BBQd sausages, pork chops, veggie burgers and other red meats
£12.99
Walnut Block Collectables Pinot Noir: A glorious and expressive New Zealand Pinot Noir that would suit a range of barbequed dishes, from vegetarian ones to grilled chicken, salmon and red meats too. Made from top-quality Burgundy clones.
Pair with: BBQd salmon, chicken, pork chops or other red meats, veggie burgers, grilled mushrooms
£17.75
Emiliana Adobe Carmenere Reserva: With its lightly peppery and smoky flavours, Carménère is a great choice for a BBQ wine. This is a great-value option from Emiliana Organic in Chile with delicious ripe and lightly peppery cherry flavours.
Pair with: BBQd pork sausages, pork chops, other red meats and heartier veggie burgers too
£10.50
Domaine Bousquet’s Reserve Chardonnay: A lovely new world Chardonnay with 50% of the wine blended in French oak for the perfect rich balance. Smooth and subtly creamy notes of ripe stone fruits along with toasted vanilla and coconut.
Pair with: grilled mushrooms, BBQd chicken, veggie burgers, shellfish and seafood
£15.50
Ampelidae Brochet Facile Sauvignon Blanc: This is a 100% Loire Valley Sauvignon grown on chalky soils with elements of flint and clay. Fresh, light and pristine with notes of white peach, citrus fruit and just a touch of mango.
Pair with: Shellfish and seafood, grilled white fish, grilled veggie skewers or halloumi, salads with vinagrette dressing
£13.50
Meinklang Prosa Frizzante Rosé: An absolutely charming Austrian rosé with just a hint of fizz. Made from a blend of 50% Zweigelt, 20% Pinot Noir, 10% St Laurent and 10% Blaufrankisch, this has been a hit with our customers for years.
Pair with: Salmon or tuna, chicken, grilled veggie skewers or veggie burgers
£14.50
What about reds that can be enjoyed chilled?
There are people out there who only drink red wine. If you happen to be one of them, and are looking for a red wine that can handle the summer heat, here are a couple of organic reds that can also be enjoyed chilled:
- Giol Rubino Raboso Red Frizzante
- Venturini Baldini Lambrusco Rosso
- Santa Tresa Frappato
- Fasoli Gino Ripasso DOC Valpolicella Corte del Pozzo
Hosting a large summer gathering or BBQ?
BBQs often involve quite a few people and can often turn into small parties. Why not get a magnum (1.5l, twice the size of a regular wine bottle) or pick up a bag-in-box wine for a larger party? Here are some we’d recommend:
Emiliana Organic Coyam Magnum: Also available in regular bottle size, Coyam is another wine that screams out perfect BBQ wine on every font. Made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, Syrah, Malbec and Mourvèdre, there’s unbelievable depth and breadth of flavour to this longstanding Chilean superstar.
£50.00
Bodegas Tempore Generacion 73 Garnacha Magnum is an incredible old-vine Grenache with a beguiling combination of delicacy and power perfect for al fresco dining/BBQing.
£14.75
Bodegas Latue Toscar Tinto Tempranillo 3 Litre Bag in Box has ripe and juicy flavours that would make a delicious match for a range of barbequed foods.
£33.50
BBQ Wine Pairings: A note about BBQ sauces and marinades
Barbequing often involves marinades and sauces, which can change up the flavours of whatever you’re grilling. Sauces can be smoky, sweet or spicy – and there’s plenty of BBQ sauces to pick from! A quick tip to keep in mind is to choose a wine that mirrors the flavours in the sauce. So for a peppery and smoky sauce, try a rich red with plenty of backbone and even peppery or oaked notes.
For a sweeter sauce, go for juicy reds or something on the sweeter side, such as a sweeter rosé or an off-dry Riesling. If you’re barbequing with a hot sauce, however, you may want a wine that tones down the spice in the sauce. Wines with a touch of sweetness may work well for this again or lighter-bodied, fruitier reds if you love reds.
As we’ve also shown above, the salads and sides can also make a difference when it comes to choosing a BBQ wine. We hope you’ve found this post all about summer BBQ wines helpful and that it leads to delicious combinations for your summer BBQing.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading and learning more about BBQ wine pairings. Still not sure which wine is right for you? Don’t hesitate to contact us to ask more — cheers to thinking & drinking organic 🥂
