Every year about this time I do a wine blog on some of my favorite wine pairings with BBQ food. I BBQ all year long, and people at work call me the ‘Queen of the BBQ Grill’, as I even BBQ at least twice per week throughout the winter. This time of the year, it’s even more. I would rather cook on an outdoor grill than in the kitchen any day of the week. Since the last blog on BBQ pairings, I’m always trying new wines, and sometimes I think, this would be perfect with grilled ____, (fill in the blank). So here are some of the new wines I have tried in the past year that would be perfect BBQ fare.
Personally, Zinfandel is my go-to BBQ wine. I love it, especially with things like BBQ ribs and pork chops. The Renwood Zinfandel on the left is a great one I have discovered in the past year. This vineyard specializes in the Zinfandel grape, and they do it extremely well. Cherry flavors, a bit of cola on the palate and vanilla make for an easy to drink wine whether you’re at the BBQ cooking, or enjoying the fruits of your labors.
The wine on the right is the Cleaver Red Blend which is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah and as the label says ‘is made for meat’. This is a great rib wine as well, but because it’s so rich and full-bodied will pair well with any meat you put on the grill including a juicy steak. The Syrah adds a nice spice to the palate which pairs well if you put black pepper on your meat as I do.
Speaking of steak, here’s a new discovery I have made in the past year, and thought, this would be heavenly with a steak. The Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon from California leaps from the glass onto the palate with chocolate and mocha flavors, however they are very subtle and distinct. I don’t want to give you the impression it would be like the manipulated coffee flavors of a few South African Pinotage wines. The Layer Cake Cabernet has great structure, rich dark fruit but it’s very smooth. This is a great wine in my opinion, and a great steak wine.
Love a burger done on the grill? Me too!
Check out the Robert Mondavi Heritage Red Blend. Primarily Syrah and Merlot, it also has the added flavor of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Lots of flavor at a price under $20. This is a great wine. And a great burger wine.
White wine drinker? Don’t think you have to drink red to pair perfectly with BBQ fare. There are lots of great options on the white side.
Most of the vineyards in Nova Scotia put out a specialty wine called Tidal Bay, designed by the Wine Association of Nova Scotia, that is made for the terroir of Nova Scotia. Launched in 2012, they are all slightly different, however they are truly fascinating. They are bright, crisp and fresh styles of wine that pair perfectly with seafood. And although I’m allergic to seafood I love them as a Summer patio wine and they are fantastic appetizer wines.
And if you love white wine and want a pairing with a big juicy steak, hamburger, or even ribs…. how about this one
The Rodney Strong Chardonnay is classic California Chardonnay. Fresh and fruit forward, it boasts apple and bright lemon flavors with toasty oak from the barrel aging. That barrel aging brings with it notes of brown spice and vanilla. Those brown spice and vanilla flavours tend to complement things like steak and ribs . It’s a great wine.
And my wine of the week….is an Italian beauty
The Corvo Rosso Red IGT is a classic Sicilian wine. This wine is extremely versatile and would pair well with any BBQ fare, but it goes beyond BBQ. This is an easy to drink Rosso that this vineyard has been making since 1824, and with that kind of experience they have done it right. As I was enjoying this wine I had visions of some of my favorite cheeses, it’s a great cheese wine. Think pizza too! Oak barrel aging brings a roundness and smoothness to the glass, but the lingering finish really made the wine for me. This is a great wine overall, and how this wine sells for about $18, I’ll never know. But it’s one to keep around.
Sunshine and temperatures in the 20’s… that’s what this weekend calls for. I don’t know about you, but I will definitely be firing up my grill, and there will be glass of wine in my hand. Please feel free to share your favourite BBQ wine.
Till next week, Cheers
Darlene
Wine-It’s Just My Opinion 