27th August 2020 | Top Drops | 4 minute read
It may be late August, but BBQ season isn’t over just yet! With the impending August bank holiday weekend, and the warm and sunny spells we’re expecting in September, it’s time to see the summer out with a bang by nailing your best BBQ and wine pairings to date!
As long as the sun continues to shine, us Brits will continue to fire up that barbecue. And if there’s one thing that goes hand-in-hand with both good food and gatherings with friends and family, it’s got to be wine. Whether you’re after something bold to complement grilled meats, something subtle for the starters and sides, or just a drop of something light and chilled to sip in the sun, you want to be certain you’ve chosen the right bottle.
So, we’ve called upon our very own wine and food pairing guru and Wine Buyer, Sophie Lord, for her take on the top wines to pair with your barbie if you really want to wow your guests.
Sophie’s top pick: X Marks The Spot Swartland Shiraz 2019
Swartland, among other areas in the coastal region of South Africa, is turning out some brilliant examples of Shiraz. One of the noticeable features of South African red wines is the typical smoky character they have about them. And it’s this smoky characteristic that makes them a brilliant partner for charred burgers!
Sophie’s top pick: Belle Lettres Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2019
Côtes du Rhône reds are often made using Grenache and Syrah grapes, known for their spicy notes, making them a perfect pairing for peppery sausages! These wines also tend to be lighter in body than an Australian Shiraz for example, making them a far better choice for white meats like pork.
Sophie’s top pick: Il Colmo Prosecco Brut
Because who doesn’t like a drop of fizz to start off a BBQ? Aside from being incredibly popular and on-trend, prosecco pairs wonderfully well with appetizers and nibbles such as nuts. Also, if you’re having a small gathering, it’s nice to raise a glass aloft to seeing friends and family – cheers!
Sophie’s top pick: Domaine Michel Girard Sancerre Rosé 2019 (vegan)
French rosé is an all-round summer speciality, served lightly chilled and sipped in the sunshine. However it’s also a brilliant food pairing as well! This particular blush Sancerre is a completely vegan wine and works really well with chargrilled vegetable skewers, as the wonderful fresh flavours won’t be overpowered by the wine.
Sophie’s top pick: The Black Pig The Prize Chardonnay 2016
The buttery, toasty flavours in this oaked chardonnay from Australia are bold enough to stand up to, and complement, more flavoursome dishes. Try pairing with some beautiful chargrilled chicken, coated with BBQ sauce and melted cheese, and just let the acidity of the wine cleanse the palate on the finish. A really good bottle for a summer barbie!
Sophie’s top pick: Eberle Paso Robles Zinfandel 2017
If you’re one of the more seasoned barbecuers among us with your own smoker, and you want the perfect match for spice-rubbed ribs or brisket, then look no further. Californian Zinfandel such as this one are typically bold and intensely flavoured, a great choice for pairing with the rich flavours coming from these meats.
Sophie’s top pick: The Black Pig The Prize Shiraz 2018
We love Aussie wine here in the UK, and they are somewhat specialists in producing bold, bullish Shiraz. These big, high tannin reds will taste softer and fruiter if partnered with well-seasoned, meaty BBQ foods, so don’t be afraid to open up a heady red like this one! Also, if you go for something with a bit of bottle age, then the savoury tobacco notes will pair beautifully with red meats.
Sophie’s top pick: Savvie Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
The Marlborough region in NZ is world renowned for producing top quality Sauvignon Blanc, and this bottle is a prime example. As far as food pairings are concerned, a NZ SB is the perfect partner for BBQ shrimp (or any shellfish for that matter). The citrus flavours work wonderfully with shellfish and the acidity of the wine cuts through the buttery, sweet meat. It’s also really good with fresh side salads too, as it packs herbaceous notes of cut grass and green bell peppers!
Sophie’s top pick: Conte di Campiano Sangiovese Rubicone IGT 2018
Sangiovese is an Italian speciality, so naturally partners beautifully with Italian dishes. If you’ve got a pizza stone/oven for your BBQ, then you should definitely reach for a bottle of Sangiovese. The vibrant acidity and medium tannins in the wine, along with fresh cherry fruit and herbal scents, mean this will work really well with rich tomato and herb based pizza sauce. A perfect regional pairing!
Sophie’s top pick: Long Yarn Sparkling Shiraz McLaren Vale
Fancy trying something new? Here’s a brilliant option to go for! We’ve already covered off Shiraz in this list as it’s brilliant for pairing with grilled meats, so why not try a sparkling one? While relatively uncommon, there are some brilliant examples of sparkling Shiraz being produced, from Australia in particular. The jammy fruit flavours in the wine will also pair well with fruity condiments like ketchup or BBQ sauce.
