

Which wines pair best with barbecue?

While rosé is often the wine of choice for BBQ, other wines also have plenty to offer when it comes to accompanying grilled meat or fish and generally enhancing your dining experience. Dry or fruity whites, heady and tannic reds: discover our wine recommendations to enjoy over your barbecue with friends or family. Follow the Goguette guide!
Wine & BBQ: when the meat is red, so is the wine
Red meats are meats with character, offering pronounced flavors.
To accompany them without in any way overshadowing their aromas, consider red wines with powerful aromas of red and dark fruits. Tannic wines also pair very well with this type of dish and you are sure to find what you are looking for in the Bordeaux grape varieties, the Médocs or among the Côte-du-Rhônes.

Which wines go well with white meat?
Are you planning to grill poultry or pork?
If so, choose a well-chilled rosé wine or a light red wine that will complement your meats without masking their more subtle flavors, as compared to red meat. Opt for rosé wines from the Mediterranean region or the Loire Valley, which are particularly well suited.
Elegant red wines such as Meursault or Chassagne-Montrachet are perfect with marinated white meats, which are often seasoned with spices and offer a richer palette of flavors. Fruity, full-bodied white wines such as Gewurztraminer or Viognier also offer very appealing pairings, as their aromatic intensity harmonizes perfectly with spices.
Grilled sausages: finding the perfect wine
If you have grilled sausages on the menu, it is vital to choose a wine that complements their flavor.
With herb sausages or chipolatas, choose a fairly smooth red wine or a Provence rosé, which will accompany your meat without overpowering its flavors. For spicier sausages such as merguez, you can be more adventurous and choose red wines with more character, offering intense aromas of spices and dark fruits. As you can see, the more delicate the flavors of your meat, the more subtle the flavors of the wine should be to enhance your meat without in any way overshadowing its taste and seasoning.
Barbecued fish and white wine: a winning combination
Whether grilled, steamed, braised or baked in foil…
There are countless ways to cook fish on the BBQ while enjoying it over a good glass of wine. Choose a white wine with notes of yellow fruit or even citrus, such as those found in the wines of the Alsace region and the Loire Valley. Dry white wines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon or Riesling are sure to be a hit with all your guests.
What about the veggies?
Grilled vegetables are making a real splash at the barbecue!
Colorful, flavorful, and totally on-trend, grilled veggies are no longer just a sidekick. Whether served as a main dish or a side, they proudly take center stage, and they’re a hit with anyone looking for a veggie-friendly option. When it comes to wine, fresh, mineral-driven whites like Chenin Blanc, Sancerre, or Saint Véran are safe bets that beautifully complement their flavors.

How should wine be served at a BBQ?
To fully enjoy your wine at a barbecue, it is essential to serve it at the right temperature.
White and rosé wines should always be served chilled, so be sure to take them out of your wine fridge at the very last minute. To keep your bottles at the optimal temperature, consider using bottle coolers, which will help maintain their chill.
Red wine is best enjoyed at around 18° (64°F). However, in hot weather (which is often the case during summer barbecues), it tends to warm up very quickly once served. To preserve its aromas, it may therefore be a good idea to serve it slightly cooler, at around 16°C (61°F).
While the food and wine pairing is of utmost importance, the vessel in which the wine is served is also key. Be sure to ditch any paper or plastic cups and instead bring out your finest stemware to savor your wine in the best possible conditions.
A tasty wine, served just right, paired with flavorful dishes… now all that’s left is to enjoy. Cheers!
To go further
A perfect food and wine pairing starts with the right serving temperature. To bring out the best in every combination of flavors, discover Goguette’s 3-temperature wine fridges, designed to suit the needs of every type of wine.

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