Perfect Grill Marks with the Perfect Glass of Wine: A Barbeque Pairing
Long summer days are here, and the air is filled with the scent of freshly cut grass, fragrant flowers, and sizzling barbecues. It’s time for friends, family, and food as you fire up the barbie and enjoy that heavenly aroma and the secret sauce passed down through generations. People often enjoy a cold beer while grilling outdoors, but choosing a great wine with your menu can elevate the cookout. Here are some backyard barbecue and wine pairing ideas to help you have a sensational summer.
I detect notes of smoke!
Grilled and Smoked Meats
Choose a full-bodied red if you’re grilling meat such as steak, burgers, and ribs. The higher fat content in these types of meats does a great job of balancing the tannins in red wine. Some very good choices for grilled beef would be Bordeaux, Chianti, or a Cabernet blend, for they can all stand up to the meat’s hearty flavor and texture.
If you are grilling pork and using spicy and smoky seasonings, a fruity wine or one with a hint of sweetness would be a good match. Try barbecue pork dishes with a good Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Riesling, or even a smooth Ruby Port on the rocks.
Grilled Seafood
A crisp white wine pairs perfectly with skewers of shrimp, grilled scallops, and other delicate fish. Boston Winery’s unique Shark in the Pond custom blend makes a sensational pairing, balancing the flavor of the seafood without overpowering it. You can also dive deeper into the choices that go well with different kinds of seafood. If you’re grilling up a more oily fish like salmon or red snapper, try a full-bodied white such as an oaky Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, or white Rioja. You can even pair a red Pinot Noir with a robust salmon filet.
Mmmm! Tastes like summer!
Grilled Chicken
The wine you choose with your barbecued chicken will depend on how you cook it if you’re making a sweeter, glazed sauce, lean on a fruity, low-tannin red such as Zinfandel. If you want to go with white wine, the tangy sweet barbecue sauce will do well with a California rosé with enough fruit to hold up well against the bold flavors of the sauce. If you’re creating an herbal rub and preparing the grilled chicken in a savory or spicy style, choose a wine with more herbal notes, such as a Sauvignon Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, or Riesling. Herbs like rosemary and thyme also pair beautifully with a rosé or chilled Spanish Garnacha.
Don’t forget to eat your vegetables!
Grilled Vegetables
These days, you see as many veggie options on the grill as you do meats. Whether it’s veggie burgers or a variety of grilled vegetables, there are some great choices for wine and veggie pairings. Look for acidic and herbal whites that won’t overpower the veggies. A chilled rosé is a great choice, adding a touch of fruitiness to its fresh flavor. You can also pop open a bottle of Prosecco for some bubbly, or again, a Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect pairing with its light acidity and herbal notes.
