Best Wines to Pair With BBQ Cuisine
Summer is upon us and that means it is time to enjoy the great outdoors with a backyard BBQ. BBQs are a great way to enjoy good food, good wine, and a good family. They are one of the staples of Summer that many of us look forward to year after year.
Before planning your first BBQ of the season, it is important to determine which wines pair with which foods. After all, you want your BBQ to be a hit, and to be the host with the most, a little extra knowledge on wine pairings will go a long way.
Plan Your Menu
First, it is imperative to plan your menu. Different wines pair well with different meats and proteins. When spices are involved, an entirely different palette needs to be considered. For example, if you are going to serve a spicy pepper rubbed pork, you may want to go for a fruity drink to curb the heat. Fruit reds like a dry riesling or a sweet white are great pairings for spicy foods.
Different style BBQs also make a difference with the wine pairing. This is because a different combination of flavors is used to produce the perfect BBQ flavor. Below is a chart to help you determine the best wine type for popular BBQ foods.
| Food or BBQ Type | Wine Recommendation |
| Burgers | Mukuzani, Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel |
| Sausages | Alazani, Pinot Noir |
| Chicken | Manavi, Chardonnay |
| Pork | Saperavi, Riesling |
| Steak | Mukuzani, Malbec |
| Salmon | Manavi, Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir (Chilled preferred) |
| Veggies | Rkatsiteli, Khikvi, Gamay |
| Carolina Style | Qvevri Rosé, French Rosé |
| Texas Style | Mukuzani, SapeRavi, Zinfandel or Malbec |
| Memphis Style | Chenin Blanc |
Wines That Pair Well With Most Things
Are you hosting a pot luck BBQ and you aren’t sure what will be on the menu, but still want to provide good wine? Do not panic, there are options for well-rounded wines for almost any BBQ experience. Whether your guests prefer red or white, you can be prepared for any taste. Here is a list of some of the best options:
- Rkatsiteli
- Riesling
- Qvevri Rose
- Dry Rosé
- Malbec
- Pinot Noir
- Gamay
These are well-rounded options that almost every wine enthusiast will love. The flavors will also cut and enhance the smokiness of the BBQ and light your tongue up with an array of flavors. Another great option is to keep a bottle of sparkling champagne around as it also pairs well with BBQ cuisine.
What Temp Should I Keep The Wine?
The ideal storage temperature for any wine is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This does not mean that it is the proper storage temperature for consumption. All wine lovers are different, some like their wine at room temperature while others prefer it chilled. Here are some tips on which wines should be served at room temperature and which should be served chilled:
Room Temperature
Reds are generally best served at room temp or between 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit. Here are some of the most popular reds to store this way:
- Red Bordeaux Blends
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Mukuzani
- Merlot
- Malbec
- Pinot Noir
- Saperavi
Best Served Chilled
Not every wine has the best flavor profile when served warm. White wines in particular are often served chilled to bring out the flavor profile. Some of the best white wines to chill are:
- Pinot Grigio
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Moscato
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Viognier
- Manavi
These wines will be most palatable when served chilled. Pop them into the fridge a half hour to an hour before guests arrive to ensure they cool down enough to drink with the BBQ cuisine.
Grab a Glass and Relax
Now that all the hard work and preparation is done for the perfect backyard BBQ, it is time to grab a glass of wine of your own, sit back, and enjoy the day. BBQs are a great time to enjoy family, friends, and fun.