The Best Rosé Wine For BBQ Foods
In a last hurrah to a summer that mostly didn’t materialise in the conventional (sunny) sense, we’re firing up the BBQ and pairing the best BBQ food with rosé wine. You might not think of rosé as classic BBQ territory, instead thinking of beer coolers and chilled whites, but that’s where you’re doing summer wrong.
Rosé is the summer drink, and it goes beyond dry, fresh berry flavours. Getting a good bottle of pink vino can really make a meal of anything coming off the grill, and here are our favourites.
Veggie Skewers & La Pierre du Diable Rosé, 2020
For the vegan and vegetarians around the garden, the veggie skewer is the ultimate tasty treat. The chargrilled vegetables love a dry rosé with a little intrigue, and the La Pierre is the perfect partner. It’s all red berries and is best chilled ice cold, so when you’re grilling tomatoes, courgettes and cauliflower, this is the bottle for you.
Burgers & Chateau Bauduc Rosé
It’s not a BBQ if there isn’t a burger, but the beef and fat flavours are often more suited to a red than a rosé. To get the most from your burger (other than adding cheese and other sides) you’ll need a rosé that really packs a punch. The Chateau Bauduc rosé is just that – vibrant and moreish, it’s not as dry as paler pinks, but that means it can even handle a double stack. Just remember to pick up burger buns.
Spicy Sausages & La Collection Côtes de Thau Rosé, 2020, Maison Boutinot
The humble sausage is a staple of the grill, but don’t just go for a classic pork. Kick it up a notch with a bit of spice and pair your hotdogs with the Côtes de Thau Rosé. Not only does it look better than any other bottle you’re thinking of opening, it’s the perfect pale pink, all strawberries, raspberries and cranberries. It doesn’t matter whether you’re having ketchup or mustard, it’ll work!
Pork Chops & Côtes de Provence Rosé, 2020, Mas de Cadenet
Not everyone is a fan of a pork chop on a BBQ (it’s fiddly and seems a bit posh for some reason) but if you pair it with the Mas de Cadenet, everyone is going to love it. This is posh Provence rosé and you can taste it. Strawberry and white flowers go really well with the pork, and once the chop is gone and you’re left with half a bottle to finish, you’ll be in heaven.
Grilled Salmon & Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé, NV, Patriarche
For a pescatarian, a BBQ salmon is a thing of beauty. When it comes to fish dishes, especially something as meaty as a salmon, you should always consider bubbles. The Crémant de Bourgogne is a sparkling pink that has a lot to say for itself and more than stands up to the salmon flavours. Oh, and you know it's party time with the pop.
Prawns and Éminence de Bijou, IGP Coteaux de Béziers Rosé, 2020
“Throw another shrimp on the barbie!”
Translation – “Add a king prawn to the BBQ and open an Éminence de Bijou while you’re at it” because if you’re having prawns, you need this wine. It’s silky smooth, and full of vanilla and apricot, so those prawns are going to love it. This is great wine for really great food, and the pairing couldn’t be more perfect.