Well-Done Wines for BBQ

by Monique Ippolito

Pairing barbecued foods with wine is as easy as lighting the grill. Grilling, whether charcoal or natural gas, adds a signature smoky taste to a meal. That’s what you’re looking for in your wine as well.

BBQ Veggies

Whether you are entertaining or in the mood for veggie kebobs, Mexican grilled corn or fire-roasted yams, there is a wine for that. Chenin Blanc, a crisp white wine, has a lovely balance of fresh tropical fruit, herbaceous and  honeyed notes that will not overpower the flavours of your vegetable of choice.

Bougrier Vouvray, Loire Valley, France:

$14.00, LCBO #253229

Wolftrap Viognier Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc, South Africa:

$13.95, LCBO #292532

BBQ Seafood

Fire-grilled lobster tails are always a treat. A buttery, lightly oaked Chardonnay is an excellent complement to grilled shellfish. Seek out subtle oak and fresh tropical fruit notes that won’t overpower delicate and sought-after  shellfish flavours.

Malivoire Chardonnay, Niagara Escarpment:

$19.95, LCBO #573147

Are You Game Fowles Wines Chardonnay, Australia:

$15.95, LCBO #359984

BBQ Chicken

Chicken is a blank canvas as it takes on the flavours of its sauce or dressing. For a light lemon-herb marinated  grilled chicken, try an unoaked Chardonnay. For a saucy sweet ’n savoury mesquite flame-roasted chicken go for a California Zinfandel.

Joseph Drouhin Chablis de Vaudon Chablis, France: $25.95, LCBO

#84026

Cline Cellars Zinfandel, California:

$15.95, LCBO #489278

BBQ Burgers

This is a staple that pairs very well with many wines. For example, a portobello mushroom burger (veggie burger)

would work quite nicely with a ripe berry and earthy red wine from Ontario. A big juicy bison burger would muscle in beside an Aussie Shiraz.

Sandbanks Baco Noir Reserve, Prince Edward County, Ontario:

$19.95, LCBO #225920

Are You Game Shiraz, Australia:

$17.05, LCBO #327320

BBQ Pork

BBQ pork ribs are all about the sauce. Those savoury sweet and smoky/hickory flavours are why we keep going back for seconds. Wine will most likely not be the star of the show but it can complement the dish quite well.

Luigi Bosca Malbec, Argentina:

$17.95, LCBO #79293

BBQ Steak

Grilling enthusiasts do love to throw a steak on the barbie. Depending on your taste for beef, you can experiment with reds from across the spectrum: from a light bodied Pinot Noir to a full on Barolo.

Enrico Serafino Barbaresco, Italy:

$20.30, LCBO #341156