These are the best bottles of wine to uncork at a barbecue
The coals are glowing. The steaks are sizzling. But which bottles should you be uncorking?
Words: Russell
In Britain, as soon as the sun starts to peek out from behind the clouds, we all race to light our barbecues. The neighbours are invited around, the novelty aprons come out and the nation stresses over a charcoal shortage.
And now, after a summer of more sun than most of us can remember, we’re running out of ways to make these barbecues fresh. Some people are resorting to throwing all sorts of foodstuffs on the grill, others have simply stopped eating outdoors and the rest of us are left just trying to find the perfect bottle of wine to pair with our food.
So, whether you’re into white, red or the ever-so-trendy rosé, these are the bottles to uncork next time you light the coals…
A rosé by any other name...
This is, unequivocally, the drink of the summer. Men around the country have got over their irrational aversion to pink drinks are are reaching for the bottles hand over first under the blue skies.
Often packed with fruity notes and light flavours, a rosé can be a perfect pairing to take round to the neighbours’ house when the coals are hotting up. The rosés we’ve picked out for you here will match perfectly with most types of seafood.
The Petale de Rose will go excellently with some garlic marinated prawns. Or, if there is some salmon and asparagus on the menu, then uncork a bottle of Tavel Vielles Vignes Tardieu-Laurent. Or, while chicken drumsticks might not be the classiest of finger food, you can always class them up with this impeccable Berry Bros. & Rudd Reserve Rosé.
Wave the white flag...
If you are a more traditional summer wine drinker, then you will be well acquainted to a glass of white.
With masses of variety in white wines, you have plenty of options and price ranges to suit all occasions — whether you are looking to impress or you hold a secret hatred of your hosts. For a bottle that won’t break the bank, but will be adored by the vegetarians in the group as it pairs with grilled halloumi, is the Corney & Barrow Own Label Blanc.
Or go with something that wine aficionados will take a sip and say “that was a good year” this Elephant Hill Chardonnay 2015 — and make sure you’ve got some Thai chicken on your plate to go with it. Or, if you really want to impress, bring a bottle of fizz, more specifically this Berry Bros. & Rudd Crémant de Limoux that goes great with halloumi kebabs.
Go into the red...
It’s not always white meats that get grilled up in the summer — we’ve grill our fair share of steaks, burgers and ribs this summer too.
And, while a white or rosé might not hit the spot with these darker meats, a deep dark red most definitely will. If you’ve got some peppery beef sizzling away, we would recommend a glass of Double Trouble Shiraz Cabernet Barossa Boy.
Alternatively, if you have an American-style cookout with burgers and briskets on the go, this Bedrock Wine Co. The Whole Shebang is always a safe bet. And, when you want to spice the food options up with a bit of Moroccan lamb, its always a good idea to have to hand a bottle of this 2016 Berry Bros. & Rudd Australian Shiraz.
Fancy something a little bigger? These are the best jeroboams of champagne for a celebration…
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