It’s pretty common knowledge that certain wines help compliment certain foods. Usually, this only crosses my mind when I am eating at a fancy restaurant or preparing a nice meal for my friends and family— but it’s a really easy way to take your barbecue meal to the next level.
Different wines can compliment your barbecue creations too, anything from yummy steaks to corn on the cob. Here’s your guide for which wine to use with each BBQ style:
Cabernet
Full bodied red wine. Dark fruit flavors as well as savory tastes. Medium acidity.
Style of BBQ: Texas
Best meat: Anything red
Side choice: Mac and cheese
Chardonnay
Wide-bodied white wine. Dry with rich citrus flavors. Medium acidity.
Style of BBQ: Kabobs
Best meat: Fatty fish (tuna, trout)
Side choice: Grilled mushrooms and veggies
Malbec
Full-bodied red wine. Dry with dark fruit flavors. High acidity.
Style of BBQ: Texas
Best meat: Beef
Side choice: Potato salad
Pinot Noir
Light-bodied, light red wine. Red fruit and rose flavors. High acidity.
Style of BBQ: Anything smoked
Best meat: Chicken
Side choice: Sweet vegetables or earthy flavored mushrooms
Riesling
Typically sweet, with citrus and floral flavors. Very acidic.
Style of BBQ: Carolina
Best meat: Pork / Sausage
Side choice: Rice dishes, green vegetables
Rosé
Best known as white zinfandel, but comes in many different varieties. Has a wide variety of fruit flavors, usually sweet. Low acidity.
Style of BBQ: Memphis
Best meat: Chicken and seafood
Side choice: Cold veggies, like a salad
Sauvignon Blanc
Dry, white wine flavored with greens such as jalapeno and bell pepper. Medium acidity.
Style of BBQ: Memphis
Best meat: Chicken and fish
Side choice: Green veggies (artichokes, green peppers) and cold veggies. This wine tastes great with hints of citrus, so feel free to add lemon.
Zinfandel
Medium to full-bodied red wine. Exotic fruit flavors, such as sour cherry and plum. Low acidity.
Style of BBQ: Kansas City
Best meat: Beef and burgers
Side choice: Chips and dip, pastas
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