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Perfect wine pairings for your BBQ

Words by Virgin Wines

11 June 2018 | 

3 mins

Written by our friends at Virgin Wines.

So you’ve got a barbecue coming up this weekend. You’ve ordered all of your cuts, planned your side dishes and snacks – but what about the drinks? Our friends at Virgin Wines have put together the only guide you’ll need for pairing your grass-fed, free-range cuts with the perfect drop.

With summer finally here, many of us will be planning on pulling out the barbecue and cooking up a storm with family and friends. Whether you’re keeping it simple or plan to pull out all of the stops, nothing will win the crowd over more than some superb wines to match your tasty dishes.

So where to start? Let’s begin with the classic burger.

A Delicious Field & Flower burger and Pinot Noir
We don’t know about you but there’s definitely something about sitting out in the sunshine that makes enjoying a burger an even better experience. What would make it even better is a bottle of Pinot Noir to awaken your taste buds. A light bodied red such as Pinot Noir, is full of fruity flavours with high acidity to cut through the meaty flavours.

A wine to try: Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2015. 
A stunning red berry-laced Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s most iconic winery.

Mouth-watering Lamb Skewers and Shiraz
Fancy shaking things up a little? Why not try some tender grass-fed lamb skewers with a beautiful glass of Shiraz? Packed full of dark fruity flavours, Shiraz complements the delicate taste of lamb with its blackberry and spice notes – an absolute winner in our eyes!

A wine to try: The Black Pig the Prize Shiraz 2016. A wine that is ready to go right away but for those who like their wines a little mellower it will cellar for another 5 years happily and soften as the months drift away.

A Light Fish Dish and Sauvignon Blanc
If you want to keep things light on the barbecue, then we would thoroughly recommend grilling some fish such as Mackerel or Trout. They can be absolutely gorgeous when seasoned with a pinch sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil. So what’s the best wine to pair with grilled fish? The best wine to bring out its subtle flavours is Sauvignon Blanc. The refreshing zest of the wine won’t overpower the delicate taste of the fish – you can thank us later!

A wine to try: Domaine Denis Jamain Les Fossiles Reuilly Sauvignon Blanc 2016. If you love Sauvignon Blanc then this is a must-try wine. Reuilly is a lesser known region in the Loire but produces some seriously high end stuff.

A Juicy Steak and Malbec
Another popular dish to cook at a BBQ is a lovely juicy steak. From fillet to sirloin, the perfect wine to pair with this dish would be an Argentinian Malbec. The tannins in a glass of Malbec complements most types of steaks and will wow you with its beautiful flavours of cherry, plum and blackberry.

A wine to try: Luigi Bosca Finca Los Nobles Malbec Verdot 2012. This amazing Malbec and Petit Verdot blend wine is very intense and robust, with aromas of cassis and smoky wood.

Tender Grilled Vegetables and Sauvignon Blanc

A fantastic side dish or a delicious main, grilled vegetables need a wine that will slice through the flavours. Pair the vegetables with a crisp, chilled white wine packed with citrus flavours also with Sauvignon Blanc.

A wine to try: Supplejack Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016. Supplejack is a vibrant white full of citrus fruit, bell pepper notes and a touch of rich pineapple intensity.

BBQ Chicken
The smokiness of barbequed chicken is truly a wonderful flavour. You can pair it with both red and white wines depending on your mood. If you fancy a delicious glass of red, we would recommend that you go with something light and juicy.

A wine to try: Pizo Garnacha 2016. A red wine with crunchy raspberry fruit flavours, this award-winning wine is definitely a crowd pleaser.