Wines To Pair With Your Summer BBQ
Wines To Pair With Your Summer BBQ
BY MEGHAN FITZGERALDRejoice, people of the PNW! Summertime is upon us once again and the season is bringing the heat in more than one way.
From the campground to the lake to your own backyard, BBQ is the flavor of the moment, permeating the air with the delicious scent of grilled meats, smoked fish, and even charred vegetables.
Life doesn’t get much better than lounging lakeside enjoying a fine cut of steak with a side of potato wedges, unless of course, you pair that succulent dish with the perfect glass of wine.
Whether wine pairing at your summer BBQ with family and friends is considered standard or not, consider donating a moment of your summertime and I’ll let you in on a few ways you can make the season even better.
First, let’s take a look at the white varieties.
Sauvignon Blanc
Be sure to leave a little room on the grill for a meat entree’s best friend, the vegetable side dish, especially if you brought a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Herbaceous on the nose and highly acidic to the taste, this variety pairs exceptionally well with vegetables which oftentimes make up its flavor profile. Keep things simple with a side of grilled asparagus lightly seasoned with a spritz of lemon, a splash of olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper.
Riesling
Speaking of oysters, don’t forget the Riesling when you’re grilling up seafood this summer. With aromas of orchard fruit, such as apple and pear, as well as hints of citrus and jasmine, this variety gently complements both the delicate flavors and soft textures of various fish and shellfish. For a match made in BBQ bliss, grill up a skewer or two of shrimp kabobs, per guest, of course, drizzled in olive oil, splashed with lime, and sprinkled with cumin.
Viognier
The backyard is where you’ll want to spend family night this summer, so throw a couple of pizzas on the grill and don’t forget the Viognier. A variety rich in stone fruit, floral, and spice aromas, this white demands a match with a sensory experience just as powerful. The trendy grilled mediterranean pizza, complete with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar is just such the ideal dish.
And we’re just getting warmed up.
Now that you’ve had a chance to sample the cool, crisp whites, it’s time to get a taste of the spicy, bold reds.
Barbera
The other white meat, pork, nevertheless, demands a bottle of red, so complete your B-B-Q with a B-A-R-B-E-R-A. This variety takes its spice seriously, boldly flaunting notes of star anise, nutmeg, clove, and vanilla, accenting deep aromas of both red and dark fruit, including raspberry, blackberry, and plum. Coat grilled pork in a thick, jammy blackberry-sage sauce with a sprinkle of salt and pepper for a savory pairing with a sweet twist.
Pinot Noir
You don’t need a special occasion to grill up a couple pieces of chicken, but when you do, the occasion often does call for a bottle of Pinot Noir. This variety sports earthy notes of mushroom and moss, with light, fruity aromas of cherry and raspberry along with subtle hints of hibiscus. An ideal dish to pair at the BBQ would be smoked chicken seasoned with paprika and sprinkled with brown sugar.
Zinfandel
There is perhaps no BBQ dish quite as suitable for summer as that all-American classic, known as the hamburger, and there are few wines as suitable for the burger as the Zinfandel. A rich blend of bold flavors, including jam, cherry, and licorice, this variety possesses undertones of earth and hints of spice. A BBQ beef burger covered in mozzarella cheese and topped with tomato and avocado would sit pretty next to such a glass.
Chances are you’ll have more than a few occasions this summer to fire up the grill and it’s a safe bet that you won’t be grilling up the same dish every single time. Variety is, after all, the spice of life, so why not spice up this summer with one or more of the varieties mentioned above?
Just as there’s room on the grill for more than one type of food, there’s plenty of room in the cooler for more than one type of drink, whether that drink comes in a bottle or in a can.