How To Pair Your Favourite BBQ Dishes With The Perfect Glass Of Wine
With the weather, erm - getting lighter and brighter, it’s time to dust off (although dry off may be a little more accurate) and slap on some sausages, bring out some burgers and cork a bottle of your favourite vino. But, if, like us, you’re not quite sure what wine to pair with your BBQ faves - and just end up picking whatever looks fanciest in the supermarket next to the barbecued goods, then let us help you out a little. We have enlisted the help of our great friend and Drinks Contributor Vicky Major to pair her perfect wine with everything from kebabs to side salads, steaks and beyond and the ultimate surprise apéritif to get any BBQ off to a sizzling start. With sensational wines and barbecue favourites summer has never tasted so good; you literally can’t go wrong - unless you have one too many and burn the bangers - but you can’t blame us for that…
Get The Barbie Started With A Deliciously Different Apéritif
Churchill’s Dry White Port (£17.50, Master of Malt) is the deliciously different apéritif to be enjoyed at any time of day. Combined with ice cold tonic, it makes for the perfect summer cocktail. Churchill’s signature white port and tonic is served simply with an orange peel twist, so that the aged port shines, transporting drinkers to the scented orange groves at Churchill’s home in the Douro valley.
P&T is more than a refreshing drink, it’s the perfect palate pleaser to sip whilst waiting for the barbecue to heat up. But if tummy’s are rumbling serve with some salted almonds and juicy green Portuguese olives for an aromatic adventure!
Bangers And Burgers Go Down A Treat With English Sparkling Wine
Make your barbecue brilliant with some best of British bubbly. Langham Wine Estate was recently named Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year by the IWSC so you will be celebrating in style this summer with award-winning wine from Dorset; Langham’s Culver NV (£27.50, Langham Wine) is a Pinot Noir dominant traditional method sparkling wine which means it can stand up to some of the stronger barbecue flavours.
Brilliant bangers from the butchers and juicy beef burgers encased in a brioche bun will taste all the better when washed down with a glass of English fizz. The flavours from the bready bun will work well with the brioche profiles in the wines from the lees aging. The acidity from this sparkling wine will cut through the meat, whilst the salinity and creaminess from malolactic fermentation in the wine will help create the perfect pairing.
Elevate The Flavours Of Vibrant Vegetable Kebabs With A Chilled Glass of Rosé
Barbecues are not all about meat – vegetarian alternatives are an important part of the alfresco feast too. Shine a spotlight on these dishes and enjoy with a glass of South African rosé – 2020 Delaire Graff Cabernet Franc Rosé (£15.38, Armit Wines)
Big green salads are perfect served alongside potato and rice dishes; but this delicious rosé is the perfect match for vibrant chargrilled vegetable kebabs. The freshness of the ingredients pairs perfectly with this elegant and aromatic pink wine. Made by one of the leading wine estates in South Africa in the well-known region of Stellenbosch from 100% Cabernet Franc, this unique rosé displays flavours of ripe strawberries and cassis and has a juicy, crisp and dry finish.
Steak Never Tasted So Good When Matched With Syrah From The Cool Coast Of Chile
Summertime is great for lighter red wines and this cool climate Chilean Syrah is the perfect pairing for steak cooked on the barbecue. Viña Leyda Reserva Syrah 2019 (£10, Coop) boasts expressive fruit character alongside a fresh and great aromatic intensity. The respectful and elegant oak enhances the spectrum of fruit, making it an appealing match for meat and barbecued beef in particular.
Produced by the pioneering winery of the Leyda Valley, an exclusive wine region, Viña Leyda is the most awarded coastal winery of Chile. This wine is perfect with steak but can also be paired with barbecued pork belly or juicy ribs.