BBQ Wine Pairings: 7 Wines that Pair with BBQ Perfectly

Elevate your next backyard barbecue with these BBQ wine pairings. Here are seven amazing wines that pair well with grilled food.

Summer is here! I’ve been grilling on the regular and I’ve been on a mission to sample lots of different wines paired with grilled foods.

Most people associate BBQ and grilled foods with beer but did you know that wine pairs extremely well too?

Do you embrace wine with barbecue?

Wondering what wine goes with barbecue?

Here are some of my favorite bottles of wine for pairing with grilled foods of all kinds!

Be sure to check out my favorite side dishes for barbecue and sauces for ribs too!

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the most food-friendly red wines out there. It’s flavors are delicate enough to not overpower the food that you’re eating it with and it makes a great match for seafood, poultry and red meat. It’s particularly tasty paired with smoked meats because Pinot Noir has an earthy, smoky quality to it.

Try it Paired With: Lemon Chicken Skewers with Harissa Yogurt Sauce

Overhead shot of lemon chicken skewers on plate next to bowl of harissa yogurt sauce.
These Lemon Chicken Skewers cook up perfectly on the grill and are served with a side of Harissa Yogurt Sauce for extra flavor.
Get the RECIPE

Barbera

Barbera is another red wine to try when you’re looking for something a little lighter than a Cabernet. Ripe, dark berries and savory notes round out this wine. You can even try this wine chilled slightly, by sticking it in the fridge for 30 minutes before you plan to enjoy it.

Try it Paired With: Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Charred Lemon Chimichurri

Slices of grilled pork tenderloin on plate drizzled with charred lemon chimichurri.
This Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri is the perfect quick dinner for hot summer nights! You can grill this beautiful dinner and prepare the amazing sauce in just 30 minutes.
Get the RECIPE

Dry Rosé

Rosé is a fun, flirty wine, perfect for sipping on the patio. With aromas of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus, rosé has a good amount of acidity to it that stands up to grilled foods.

Like Pinot Noir, Rosé can pair with a wide variety of dishes from seafood to grilled pork. It’s also a perfect match for veggie burgers or grilled turkey burgers.

Try it Paired With: Mango Lime Grilled Chicken

Plate of grilled mango chicken with bowl of mango sauce and charred limes.
This Mango Grilled Chicken features a sweet and spicy mango lime marinade that caramelizes perfectly on a hot grill. Serve these chicken thighs at your next barbecue for an unexpected and tropical twist on your typical BBQ fare.
Get the RECIPE

Spanish Wine

Spanish wines are fun to play around with in the summertime. They’re budget-friendly and pair exceptionally well with grilled meats. Look for Rioja, Tempranillo or Garnacha which will offer aromas of cherry, wood smoke and leather.

Try it Paired With: Peruvian Grilled Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce

Plate of peruvian chicken on plate with green sauce.
Peruvian Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce is packed with flavor and the perfect way to add some international flair to your next barbecue.
Get the RECIPE

Sparkling Wine

Much like a light beer, sparkling wines tame down the heat and liven up many grilled dishes. Look for affordable bottles like cava or prosecco. They’re fun wines that bring a feeling of fancy to an otherwise casual get together.

Try it Paired With: Grilled Pork Chops with White BBQ Sauce

Overhead close up of pork chop topped with white bbq sauce on grey plate.
Grilled Pork Chops with White BBQ Sauce are rich, smokey and tangy. They make a delicious, quick and easy dinner that’s sure to please.
Get the RECIPE

Red Blends

Red blends combining Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, etc. are great all around BBQ pairing wines and I love them with a simple burger.

Try it Paired With: Red Wine Burgers

These Red Wine Burgers are decadent treat for your summer BBQ. Seasoned with a red wine-shallot reduction, topped with melted cheese and served simply with a thick slice of tomato and lettuce. | platingsandpairings.com
These Red Wine Burgers are a decadent treat for your summer BBQ. Seasoned with a red wine-shallot reduction, topped with melted cheese and served simply with a thick slice of tomato and lettuce. Yum!
Get the RECIPE

Zinfandel

When you’re serving up something big and beefy at your barbecue, you’re going to want a big red wine. Zinfandel has a silky characteristic to it that helps to tone down the in your face smokiness of certain grilled dishes.

Try it Paired With: Lamb Chops with Peanut Sauce

Lamb chops arranged on grey plate next to bowl of peanut sauce.
These Lamb Chops with Spicy Peanut Sauce are perfect for your next BBQ. Rich, smoky grilled lamb pairs perfectly with the creamy, tangy Thai-style spicy peanut sauce. It’s a delicious, quick and easy dinner.
Get the RECIPE

6 thoughts on “BBQ Wine Pairings: 7 Wines that Pair with BBQ Perfectly”

  1. All spot on recommendations and wines I live on during “grilling season”, which you probalby know I have in quotes because that is year-round for me 😉
    Sparkling, rosé, and Pinot Noir are pretty much the most versatile wines on the planet and can go with so many flavors!.
    PS I’m dying to try your pork tenderloin recipe. Look so good!

    Reply
    • I totally agree Mary – I find rosé, pinot and riesling to be the most all-around food friendly wines. And, yes, I’m so jealous of your year round fabulous grilling recipes!

      Reply
    • It’s fun to experiment with red wines in the summer too KC – You can even try popping a bottle of it into the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving, so that it’s just barely chilled.

      Reply
  2. I love grilling season! We’ve been taste testing BBQ wines as well and these are excellent options! Loving the complexity of Pinot Noir wines right now that make them sooo extra tasty with BBQ. And Barbera is always great with certain grilled meats!Those lamb chops look delicious!

    Reply

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