While it might seem natural to reach for a can of beer for your summer grilling sesh, but having grilled food with a glass of delish vino instead can easily turn your meal into a gastronomic delight.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best wine pairings for popular barbecue and grilled dishes:
- Chardonnay: “For a Chardonnay pairing, I would have to say Roasted Cornish Game Hen or a Pork Tenderloin with a light marmalade glaze,” says Tommy Lasorda, former Dodgers manager and owner of Lasorda Wines. The legendary Hall of Famer was introduced to the art of winemaking as a child. “Some of my earliest memories with my father were helping him press grapes and rack wine,” says Lasorda. He recommends Lasorda Wines’ 2016 Monterey Chardonnay for its lean and crisp style and fresh fruit flavors. Meanwhile, more mature, barrel fermented Chardonnays would go well with grilled shellfish.
- Cabernet Merlot: Celebrity chef and restauranteur Spike Mendelsohn recommends pairing this smooth, full-bodied blend with smoked vegetables. “Typically you would want a wine that can stand up to the smoke, something a little bolder. Cabernet and Merlot blends could work quite well,” says the author of The Good Stuff Cookbook. The lush wine also goes well with BBQ ribs and spicy grilled steak.
- Sauvignon Blanc: A glass of crisp, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc like unoaked white Bordeaux is a great choice to pair with grilled fish. While California Sauvignon Blanc like 2016 Voss Vineyards Napa Valley would go well with grilled chicken. You can also enjoy this luscious wine with grilled mushroom skewers. Mendelsohn recommends pairing it with “a crisp Sauvignon Blanc that has some earth but really nice on the acidity and short on the palate, letting the mushrooms do their work.”
- Pinot Noir: This juicy, food-friendly red wine tastes particularly delicious with grilled seafood, thanks to its smokiness and earthy undertones. It also makes an excellent match for grilled quail, grilled vegetables and barbecued pork or chicken.
- Riesling: Dishes like grilled shrimp and BBQ pork taste particularly great with a glass of off-dry Riesling. Its refreshing flavor, zippy acidity and citrus notes also complement smoked salmon, barbecued chicken and grilled fruit.
- Rosés: The blush-colored wine is one of the most versatile wines out there. A glass of dry rosé can be enjoyed with a wide variety of dishes from grilled shrimp and grilled pork to grilled turkey burgers and vegan options like grilled Beyond Burgers. On the other hand, sparkling rosé would go really well with grilled chicken breast, smoked salmon, grilled oysters and grilled eggplant recipes. Mendelsohn also recommends pairing the fresh, crisp wine with grilled tofu. It would “cut through the silkiness of the tofu and accentuate the nuttiness,” explains the culinary expert.
- Zinfandel: The bold, jammy wine is a great choice to pair with grilled steak and barbecued red meats. (Try 2015 Ridge Lytton Springs). Meanwhile, dishes like grilled sausages and hamburgers go well with spicy, medium-bodied Zin. With White Zinfandel, Lasorda recommends Oysters Rockefeller or Pan-Seared Scallops on pasta in a white wine garlic sauce. “As an alternative, I also like to pair these type of dishes with a dry Rosé,” he adds.
- Chenin Blanc: Since white Chenin Blanc originated in France’s Loire Valley, it would make sense to pair this wine with grilled chicken breast cut in the French style (an elegant cut with the wing still attached), suggests Topdeck Travel. Chenin Blanc’s sweet flavors and zippy acidity make it a perfect match for other delicacies too, like smoked salmon and grilled pork chops.
- California Petite Sirah: This bold Californian red wine pairs well with a wide range of delicacies like grilled steak, grilled hamburgers, BBQ ribs, grilled pork tenderloin and grilled or barbecued venison. Try 2014 Stag’s Leap Petite Sirah.
- Italian Red Wines: Light Italian red wines like Sangiovese go well with grilled vegetables and Tuscan style veal chops. It also pairs deliciously with classic Tuscan Florentine Steak (a Porterhouse cut, grilled until the steak is no more than medium rare), Topdeck Travel suggests. Meanwhile, Barolo and Barbaresco wines can be enjoyed with dishes like grilled steak and grilled mushrooms.
- Spanish Wines: These budget-friendly wines pair exceptionally well with grilled meats. For instance, flirty Albariño’s freshness and flavors complement grilled white meats. Meanwhile, Rioja can be enjoyed with grilled ribeye steak, barbecued beef brisket and grilled lamb dishes. On the other hand, Spanish sparkling wines like Cava taste delectable with smoked salmon.
Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with other wine pairings for summer foods, says Lasorda. “I believe wine pairing should be a fun and enjoyable experience,” adds the venerated ex-manager who led the Dodgers to World Series titles in 1981 and 1988.
But if you want to play it safe, you can always follow chef Spike Mendelsohn’s thumb rule – “the deeper the BBQ the deeper the wines.”
Oh, by the way, Happy National Wine Day!
