When it comes to barbeque, most people probably think beer is the beverage choice. When you think of barbecue, you probably think of summer cookouts, and what goes better with grilled meat on a hot day than an ice-cold beer? Well fear not, wine lovers, because there is plenty of room at the table for your favorite wine. In fact, wine is not only an acceptable barbeque beverage, it is encouraged! There are a plethora of great BBQ and wine pairing options to elevate your next cookout and we have our favorite pairings below.
Best Red Wine to Pair with Barbeque
Reds are a great choice with barbequed meat as the tannins will balance out the umami and fat in the meat.
- Shiraz: full-bodied with a robust, spicy flavor.
- Pinot Noir: food-friendly, light, sweet red, high on aromatics.
- Zinfandel: sweet red with moderate tannins and high acidity.
- Rioja: dry, medium-bodied with notes of dark stone fruit and leather.
Best White Wine to Pair With Barbeque
Whites are great with barbequed chicken and fish as they act as a palate cleanser.
- Chardonnay: dry, buttery, and oaky with moderate tannins and acidity.
- Grüner Veltliner: Light, citrus-focused flavors of lime, lemon and grapefruit.
- Sauvignon Blanc: fruity, dry, highly acidic, and herbaceous.
- Riesling: Light and crisp, highly acidic, and food-friendly.
- Rosé: bold berry flavor with bright acidity.
Pairing Wine With Various Barbeque Dishes
Wine With Pulled Pork
Here you want a wine that will not be overpowered by the smoke, but will also not overpower the pork. Pinot Noir is perfect in this capacity.
Wine With Barbecued Chicken
There’s not a better match than Rosé with barbeque chicken, but if you prefer a white, choose an off-dry Riesling.
Wine With Ribs
This BBQ favorite will pair nicely with a Zinfandel or Pinot Noir. If the sauce is more classic than sweet, try a Cabernet.
Wine With Brisket
Shiraz or Rioja are both great choices to hold their own against the smoked meat while also offering fruity notes to balance.
Wine With Smoked Salmon
Barbequed smoked salmon is going to call for a full-bodied white. Try a Chardonnay or Viognier. If you prefer red, you could also pair a Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.
Sausages are great with acidic whites to balance the fat and any spice they may have. Try a Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. If you prefer red, a Barbera or Lambrusco will also do the trick.
Wine With Baked Beans
A fruity red, such as a Shiraz or Zinfandel will pair nicely with this classic barbeque side.
Wine With Cornbread
Buttery, oaked white wines like Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc are a lovely complement to cornbread.
Wine With Potato Salad or ColeSlaw
These barbeque staples can be made in a variety of ways and flavors. For most iterations, a crisp white with bright citrus notes will work well. Try a Sauvignon Blanc or Grüner Veltliner.
Pairing Wine With Chicken
Pairing Wine With Pork
Pairing Wine With Steak
Pairing Wine With Korean Barbeque
