Summer is a combination of various activities like outdoor gatherings, music festivals, sports events, holidays, ceremonies, and social gatherings. For cooking enthusiasts, the start of summer signifies the beginning of the grilling period. It’s all about simple joys, with friends and family coming together in the garden or on the patio, enjoying delicious food and creating lasting memories. A barbecue is not complete without the appropriate drinks. While many choose cold beers, wine enthusiasts may ask: which wine goes best with a summer barbecue?
Here, wine expert Sylvia Ba, a wine lover associated with the “VinoVoss” AI Sommelier wine search engine and recommendation platform created by BetterAI, provides suggestions:
Top Picks of Wine Experts: When you’re hosting or attending a barbecue gathering and are unsure about the perfect wine to serve or bring along, both traditional human wine stewards and innovative AI sommeliers like VinoVoss generally recommend hearty red wines for barbecues. Grenache, Syrah, and GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blends) are popular choices for pairing with grilled dishes. The rich flavor of grilled meat combined with spices pairs well with fruity, well-rounded red wines that have spicy, smoky, or woody undertones. Zinfandel and Primitivo are great matches for caramelized dishes, while other bold reds like Malbec, oak-aged Tempranillo, or a Bordeaux blend are also preferred selections.
BBQ and Summer Wines: An Unexpected Harmony?: From a food and wine pairing perspective, robust reds indeed complement barbecue dishes well. However, these red wines can be intense and often have high alcohol levels, which may not be ideal for hot summer days. This is why many opt for cold beers instead. During the summer season, we crave refreshing white wines to cool down, but does this mean that summer wines and barbecues don’t go together? The answer is no. There are numerous summer wines that pair perfectly with barbecues.
Barbecue favorites centered around pork such as sausages and juicy ribs, seasoned with flavorful spices, not only match well with red wines like Grenache, Syrah, or Zinfandel but also shine with high-acidity white wines like Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. The acidity cuts through the richness and adds a sense of freshness. Riesling is known for enhancing savory sauces, while Grüner Veltliner, with its herbaceous and white pepper notes, is a fantastic match for sausages. In their home countries, Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are top picks for pork-focused German and Austrian cuisine. Additionally, these high-acidity white wines naturally complement vegetables.
Versatile BBQ Wines: If you’re concerned about switching between strong reds and refreshing whites, don’t worry. There are adaptable wines designed for your summer get-togethers. Barbecues include a range of dishes from veggies to mushrooms, from seafood to meat skewers, so having a versatile solution is ideal.
Light, Cool Reds for Chilling: If robust reds seem too heavy, light red wines are perfect for warm weather. Varieties like Gamay, certain Pinot Noirs, Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, Frappato, Schiava, and many red wines produced through carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration are excellent choices. These wines have enough body to pair with meat while their fruity nature makes them versatile with food, preventing them from overpowering veggies or grilled fish. Most importantly, they are best enjoyed slightly chilled, adding a refreshing touch to hot summer afternoons.
Orange Wine: Some argue that orange wine is similar to white wine with hints of red. It combines the lively acidity and refreshing qualities of white wines with the depth and structure of red wines. Orange wine is a versatile option for food pairing, complementing well-seasoned, flavorful dishes, grilled asparagus, or sausages perfectly.
Pet Nat: For some individuals, the perfect match for barbecues is bubbles. While Champagne and other traditional sparkling wines are great options, Pet Nat (pétillant naturel) surpasses them. Its lively acidity and effervescence enhance the summer atmosphere, and its yeasty notes and subtle residual sweetness add a full-bodied element, making it adaptable to various dishes and barbecue flavors. Moreover, Pet Nat is ideal for relaxed, enjoyable moments with friends. It’s a wine that’s easy to enjoy without overanalyzing.
Are you ready to enhance your summer outdoor grilling sessions with the ideal wines? Share unforgettable moments, delicious dishes, laughter, and exquisite wines with your loved ones!
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