The Vineyard Hoppers

Summertime means outdoor fun, music festivals, sports, holidays, celebrations, and gatherings. For foodies, it’s barbecue season—a time for backyard or rooftop cookouts with friends and family, sharing delicious food and making unforgettable memories. While a cold beer might be the go-to drink, wine lovers often wonder: what’s the best wine for a summer barbecue?

What Sommeliers Recommend

Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or attending one and wondering what wine to serve or bring, both traditional sommeliers and innovative AI sommeliers like VinoVoss generally recommend bold reds. Grenache, Syrah, and GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blends) top the list for pairing with barbecue foods. The rich flavours of charred meat, combined with spices, harmonize beautifully with fruity, round red wines that have spicy, smoky, or oaky notes. Zinfandel and Primitivo pair wonderfully with caramelized foods, while other bold reds like Malbec, oaked Tempranillo, or a Bordeaux blend are also popular choices.

Summer Wine and Barbecue: A Surprising Pair

Bold reds may be suitable for barbecue, but they can taste heavy and have high alcohol content, which might not be ideal for hot summer days. This is why many people opt for cold beer instead. However, this doesn’t mean summer wines and barbecue are incompatible. Plenty of summer wines pair perfectly with barbecue.

Pork-based barbecue favourites like sausages and short ribs, seasoned with flavourful spices, not only pair 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 grease and adds freshness. Riesling complements savoury sauces, while Grüner Veltliner, with its herbaceous, white pepper notes, is perfect for sausages. In their home countries, Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are preferred wines for pork-based German and Austrian cuisine. Additionally, these high-acidity white wines pair well with vegetables.

All-Rounder Barbecue Wines

If you’re concerned about choosing between bold reds and refreshing whites, don’t worry. Some wines can cover the entire barbecue spectrum, from vegetables to meat skewers, offering a master solution for your summer gatherings.

Light-Bodied, Chillable Reds

If bold reds feel too heavy, light-bodied red wines are perfect summer reds. Wines like Gamay, certain Pinot Noirs, Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, Frappato, Schiava, and many carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration reds are excellent choices. They have enough body to pair with meat, but their fruit-forward character makes them food-friendly, so they won’t overpower vegetables or grilled fish. Most importantly, they are best enjoyed slightly chilled, bringing freshness to a hot summer afternoon.

Orange Wine

Orange wine combines the vibrant acidity and refreshing character of white wines with the depth and structure of red. It’s an all-rounder for food pairing, matching perfectly with well-seasoned, spicy foods, grilled asparagus, or sausages.

Pet Nat

For some, bubbles and barbecue are the ultimate pairing. Champagne and other traditional method sparkling wines are good choices, but Pet Nat (pétillant naturel) is even better. Its refreshing acidity and bubbles enhance the summer vibe, and its yeasty flavours and slight residual sugar add body, making it suitable for a variety of foods and barbecue seasoning. Plus, Pet Nat is ideal for casual, fun moments with friends. It’s an approachable wine to enjoy without giving it too much thought.

So, this summer, elevate your barbecue experience with the perfect wine pairings. Cheers to great food, great wine, and even greater company!