Memorial Day weekend is a chance to remember what our brave servicemen and women sacrificed, so that we can freely gather with our friends and family to enjoy quality time, food, and wine.
The best pairing for late spring’s weather is grilling and BBQ!
If you’re going for vino instead of beer, it’s good to know a few grape varietals that work well with tangy sauces, pepper rubs, char, and fat.
5 Wines That Pair Well With BBQ
- Zinfandel
- Tempranillo
- Malbec
- Grenache
- Grenache Rosé/ Garnacha Rosado
Why Does Zinfandel Pair Well With BBQ?
Zinfandel pairs well with BBQ because it has ripe fruit to match tangy sauces, a natural pepper note that compliments pepper in rubs, acid to balance any vinegar, and some tannins for the fat.
Zinfandel is known as California’s grape and has been enjoyed with meat on the west coast since the Italians brought it over 150 years ago.
In Italy Zinfandel is known as Primativo.
The warm weather and long harvest season in California produce this very fruity, high alcohol wine that’s almost gulpable.
In 1975 Sutter Home experienced a “stuck fermentation” resulting in “White Zinfandel” and a new slightly sweet blush era.
Why Tempranillo Pairs Well With BBQ, And Which Style To Choose
- Medium bodied making it versatile with different types of BBQ foods
- Cherry and balsamic notes for tangy and vinegar based sauces
- Earthy and cigar like notes that resonate with mesquite flavors
- Medium tannins help bind to fat for lean and hearty meats
- Won’t crush or conflict with grilled shrimp
- Choose younger, fresher “Crianza” Tempranillo for tangy sauces
- Choose older more complex “Reserva” and “Gran Reserva” Tempranillo for dry meats
Why Malbec Pairs Well With BBQ
Malbec pairs well with BBQ because it has dense fruit to match tangy sauces, a fresh pepper note that resonates with mesquite meats, and medium to medium plus tannins to bind to fat and clear the palate.
Malbec originated in France and has been used in Bordeaux blends for centuries.
The grape traveled to Argentina where its new more fruit driven expression took off in popularity.
In Argentina enjoying beef or steak without Malbec is unthinkable. They are as connected as peanut butter and jelly.
Malbec is also incredible with the tangy, peppery sauce, and red onions on a BBQ chicken pizza.
Why Grenache Is Great With BBQ
Grenache (Garnacha) is great with BBQ because it has bright red fruit and classic white pepper notes to match the tangy sauces, pepper rubs, and mesquite meats.
Grenache is a medium bodied, crowd pleasing red wine that is great with heavy meats, but also won’t crush chicken.
From grilled veggies, to sausages, wings, burgers, ribs, or steak, Grenache does its job.
If your spread includes wings that have kick, Grenache can help balance the heat.
It has high alcohol that neutralizes capsaicin (what causes heat), and bold fruit to make it through till the finish.
Why Grenache Rosé (Garnacha Rosado) Pairs Well With All Types Of BBQ
- More body than most other Rosé making it a good match for hearty meats
- Cool and refreshing on a hot day
- Nice acid to make it gulpable
- Balances spicy food well
- Strawberry and red fruit notes resonate with tangy sauces
- White pepper notes compliment pepper in sauces or rubs
- Won’t crush or clash with most seafood (BBQ Shrimp +Grenache Rosé = Delicious)
- Value driven pricing makes it easy to buy more bottles for large gatherings or long days of consumption ($10-$30)
- Aesthetically very pleasing
The 5 above wine varietals mentioned are common enough to be found in most parts of the United States.
If you have trouble finding a Grenache based Rosé, look to a Rosé with a rich, dark color pink.
Very light pink Rosé (especially made from Pinot Noir) is usually too delicate for heavy meats.
Enjoy exploring these wines with your family and friends this weekend as you BBQ and reflect on the great sacrifice of others, so that we can be free to do such things.
Cheers!
