Summer is a mix of various activities such as open-air events, music festivities, athletics, vacations, ceremonies, and get-togethers. For culinary enthusiasts, the arrival of summer marks the commencement of the grilling season. It’s all about simple pleasures, with friends and relatives uniting in the backyard or on the terrace, enjoying delightful fare and creating lasting memories. A barbecue is incomplete without the right beverages. While many opt for cold brews, aficionados of wine may ponder: which wine complements a summer barbecue best?
Here, wine specialist Sylvia Ba, a wine aficionado linked with the “VinoVoss” AI Sommelier wine search engine and recommendation platform developed by BetterAI, offers suggestions:
Preferred Recommendations of Sommeliers: When you’re hosting or attending a grill gathering and are unsure about the ideal wine to serve or bring along, both conventional human wine stewards and innovative AI sommeliers like VinoVoss typically suggest robust red wines for barbecues. Grenache, Syrah, and GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blends) rank high for pairing with grilled cuisine. The savory essence of chargrilled meat fused with spices marries well with fruity, well-rounded red wines that feature spicy, smoky, or woody hints. Zinfandel and Primitivo are ideal matches for caramelized dishes, while other vigorous reds like Malbec, oak-infused Tempranillo, or a Bordeaux blend are also favored choices.
Barbecue and Summer Wine: A Surprising Harmony?: From the perspective of food and wine pairing, powerful reds indeed go hand in hand with barbecue. However, these red wines can feel intense and often boast elevated alcohol levels, which might not suit scorching summer days. This is why many opt for chilled beers instead. In the summer months, we yearn for revitalizing white wines to cool off, but does this mean that summer wines and barbecues clash? The answer is no. Numerous summer wines complement barbecues perfectly.
Barbecue favorites centered around pork such as sausages and succulent ribs, seasoned with aromatic spices, not only harmonize with red wines like Grenache, Syrah, or Zinfandel but also shine with high-acidity white wines like Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. The tang of acidity cuts through the richness and contributes a sense of freshness. Riesling is famed for enhancing savory sauces, while Grüner Veltliner, with its herbaceous and white pepper nuances, is an excellent pairing for sausages. In their countries of origin, Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are top choices for pork-centric German and Austrian cuisine. Additionally, these high-acidity white wines naturally complement vegetables.
Universal Barbecue Wines: If you’re worried about oscillating between potent reds and invigorating whites, fret not. There are versatile wines tailored for your summer gatherings. Barbecues encompass a spectrum of dishes ranging from veggies to mushrooms, from seafood to meat skewers, so having a comprehensive solution is ideal.
Light, Refreshing Reds for Chilling: If bold reds seem weighty, light red wines are perfect for warm weather. Varieties like Gamay, certain Pinot Noirs, Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, Frappato, Schiava, and many red wines crafted through carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration are splendid selections. These wines possess ample body to pair with meat while their fruity character makes them versatile with food, preventing them from overwhelming veggies or grilled fish. Most importantly, they are best enjoyed slightly chilled, imparting a refreshing touch to hot summer afternoons.
Amber Wine: Some argue that amber wine resembles a white wine with the essence of red. It combines the vivacious acidity and invigorating nature of white wines with the depth and framework of red wines. Amber wine is an all-rounder for food pairing, complementing well-seasoned, zesty dishes, grilled asparagus, or sausages perfectly.
Pet Nat: For certain individuals, the ideal complement to barbecues are bubbles. While Champagne and other traditional sparkling wines are excellent choices, Pet Nat (pétillant naturel) surpasses them. Its zesty acidity and effervescence elevate the summer ambiance, and its yeasty nuances and subtle residual sweetness add a full-bodied dimension, making it adaptable to a range of dishes and barbecue seasonings. Moreover, Pet Nat is perfect for laid-back, enjoyable moments with companions. It’s an easy-to-appreciate wine for unwinding without overthinking.
Are you prepared to elevate your summer outdoor grilling sessions with the perfect wines? Share memorable moments, delectable dishes, laughter, and exquisite wines with your cherished ones!
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