There is arguably nothing more Aussie than a BBQ in Summer. It’s what we all turn to as the weather heats up and we’re catching up with friends. Nothing beats this kind of cooking in Summer. But pairing wines with BBQ can seem like a tricky thing. Do you go for a classic Shiraz or something different? And can you pair BBQ with something more refreshing in the heat of Summer? To make this a bit easier for you, this guide goes through the basics of pairing wine with BBQ. It gives you some tips and tricks as well as suggested pairings to make your decisions easy the next time you fire up the grill. So let’s throw another shrimp on the barbie and get started!
Guide to pairing wine with BBQ – the basics
Pairing wine with BBQ can seem tricky, but there are some simple tips you can use to make it a breeze. A great place to start is understanding the basics of pairing food with wine. You can read more about this in this simple guide here.
The number one tip is drinking what you like. If you want to have a big, bold Shiraz – go for it. If you want a Rosé that’s fine too! You should only drink what you like drinking.
But if you want to take it to the next step, pairing BBQ with wine is all about creating balance and synergy. One element shouldn’t dominate. Instead each should enhance the experience to something better than having just the BBQ, or just the wine. This means focusing on two concepts:
- Complimenting: matching like with like i.e. weight with weight, intensity with intensity, acid with acid, sweet with sweet
- Contrasting: contrasting the flavours in the wine and food such as sweet with spicy or salty and sweet.
In addition, Here are some simple tips to help guide you:
- As a general rule, serve all wines chilled. On a hot day it’s important that you chill even your red wines to get them to room temperature
- Try not to focus as much on the type of meat as the rubs, sauces and glazes. These flavours have much more impact on the wine
- Smokey flavours can overpower or interfere with many wines, and should be paired with powerful wines to cut through the intensity
- Delicate wines for grilling, big bold wines for smoked and big bold flavours
- Spice works well with fruitier reds or whites with a touch of sweetness
- Think about the whole experience of the BBQ when choosing your wines. Not all the wines need to go with the main meal. You can opt for lighter, refreshing wines while the food cooks
Pairing wine with BBQ red meat
Now that we’ve covered some basics, what are the specifics of pairing wine with BBQ? Well, let’s start with the most obvious: red meat. Steak, sausages and chops are always a staple at BBQs and have some great wine pairings to match. As a general rule, these flavours pair best with red wines. This is because the high fat balances the tannin in red wine. This is why Shiraz goes so well with steak.
But let’s dive into some other options beyond the basics. For pork, you often season with sweet, spicy, smoky and tangy flavours. So the wine should balance this out. Choosing something fruity or slightly sweet can be your best bet. Something like a Zinfandel is nice and fruity whilst still being bold. But you could also pair something like a Riesling with pulled pork for that little sweet contrast.
For things like burgers and steak, it’s best to go for full-bodied wines such as Tempranillo, Shiraz, Cabernet, Sangiovese or GSM. They enhance the pepper in the dish.
Pairing wine with BBQ Chicken and fish
If you like something lighter for your BBQ, you may not want a big and bold red. This is especially relevant in Summer when sipping on a heavy Shiraz in the middle of the day might not quite hit the spot.
Grilled chicken and fish have plenty of options for pairing. If you want something citrusy, grassy and light, opt for a Sauvignon Blanc or Verdehlo. But a simple grilled chicken or fish dish would also be right at home with an unoaked Chardonnay.
However, if you are going beyond a simple grill and BBQing your chicken or fish, the flavours will be more intense. This means the wine needs to match. Gewürztraminer is a great choice as the sweet cuts through the spice and creates a beautiful contrast. Otherwise a Chardonnay will always be a hit!
If your dish is more on the citrus or tomato side (think fish tacos), you need something to play off this acidity. Think a Sauvignon Blanc, Fume Blanc or Verdehlo.
Food and wine pairings at a glance
Now that we’ve gone over some of the overview concepts, here’s a simple guide to follow for some of the great pairings for classic BBQ dishes:
- Steak – Malbec or Shiraz
- Burgers – Zinfandel, Grenache blends, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sausages – Tempranillo, Gamay, Pinot Noir
- BBQ chicken – Chardonnay
- Pork chops – Valpolicella, Barbera, Riesling, rosé
- Salmon – Rosé Champagne, Pinot Gris, Chilled Pinot Noir
- Halloumi – Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
- Veggie Skewers – Chenin Blanc, rosé, Gamay
The final word
Now that you’ve got the basics of pairing wine with BBQ, I hope this helps guide your next wine choices. But I think overall the key to success is simplicity. BBQ isn’t meant to be overthought or overly complicated. Cheap and cheerful wines are just as good and if you want to crack open an expensive bottle. But I think BBQs are best when casual and enjoyed with friends and family, without having to think too hard about the wine. Just drink what you enjoy!