Summer tip: which wines to choose to accompany your barbecue ?

Which wine to choose for your barbecue ? Our grilling & wine pairings

Barbecue season is officially here, and with it one of the most delicious questions of the summer: which wine should you serve ? Rosé, the eternal symbol of summer conviviality ? A full-bodied red for grilled meats and skewers ? Or a crisp white to complement a fish en papillote ? The aromatic profiles of different wines can truly elevate your grilled dishes and turn your barbecue into a tasting experience. Let us guide you through the best food and wine pairings of the summer.

Which red wine pairs with grilled red meat ?

Which wine with steak, ribeye or côte de bœuf on the barbecue ?

The ribeye sizzles on the grill, aromas fill the garden, all you need now is the right bottle. Faced with this rich, flavourful cut, the wine must hold its own. Look towards the Rhône Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon or Bordeaux. To echo the smoky, charred notes, oak-aged wines are a great choice thanks to their woody undertones.

Which wine with pork or pork ribs on the barbecue ?

Pork is a lighter meat that calls for lighter wines. Its more delicate flavour allows the fruity and subtle aromas of less robust red wines to shine. Head towards the elegance of Burgundy and Pinot Noir. Beaujolais wines, based on the Gamay grape, equally light and fruity, are also well worth exploring.

Which wine with lamb or veal on the barbecue ?

When opting for lamb or veal, tannin content becomes a key factor. We recommend wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah or Malbec. Rhône and South-West wines are particularly well suited to accompany lamb skewers or grilled veal.

Which wine with duck breast on the barbecue ?

This is the most refined pairing the barbecue has to offer. A slightly pink duck breast calls for a tannic, dry and young red wine. Think Bordeaux (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Haut-Médoc), Côtes de Nuits in Burgundy, or northern Rhône gems such as Côte Rôtie, Saint-Joseph or Hermitage.

Which wine with chipolatas and merguez sausages on the barbecue ?

What could be more seasonal than a chipolata, a merguez and a glass of rosé? Rosé finds its place at every table when the first rays of sunshine appear. As an aperitif, keep it light and refreshing. With grilled sausages, however, you want something more powerful to match the bold flavours of the meat and the char. Choose a deeper-coloured rosé, a sign of longer maceration and a more robust tannic structure. Look to Syrah-based rosés from Languedoc-Roussillon, as well as Provence rosés made from Grenache Noir.

Which wine with white meats (chicken, poultry) on the barbecue ?

Two options open up here. On the red side, a light and fruity wine pairs beautifully, look towards Beaujolais or the Loire Valley, with Touraine leading the way. But poultry also pairs wonderfully with white wines. Serve your chicken with a supple, elegant white from the South-West, Provence or Languedoc-Roussillon. Choose a dry style, avoiding wines that are too rich or overly aromatic.

Which white wine with grilled fish or fish en papillote on the barbecue ?

The unsung star of the barbecue. For grilled fish, serve a crisp white wine to match the intensity of the smoky flavours, a Tariquet from Gascony works beautifully. For fish en papillote, go for aromatic whites such as Riesling or Pouilly-Fumé, with their mineral and fruity notes. If you are preparing salmon, a southern rosé with its red fruit aromas is a lovely alternative to the classic white. For a platter of seafood, prawns or gambas, opt for a rounder, more generous grape variety such as Chardonnay.

Your questions about wine and barbecue

Which red wine should I choose for a barbecue ?

For a barbecue, opt for a structured red wine such as a Côtes du Rhône, a Languedoc or a Bordeaux. These tannic wines stand up well to smoky, grilled flavours and pair perfectly with red meats.

Which wine pairs with sausages and merguez on the barbecue ?

A full-bodied rosé, a Provence rosé made from Grenache or a Syrah rosé from Languedoc, pairs perfectly with chipolatas and grilled merguez sausages.

Which white wine pairs with grilled fish on the barbecue ?

A crisp white wine such as a Tariquet from Gascony or a Riesling pairs beautifully with grilled fish, thanks to its mineral and fresh notes.

Can you serve rosé with all types of grilled food ?

Yes, rosé is very versatile at a barbecue, especially with white meats, sausages and fish. Choose a more structured rosé for bolder, smokier grills.

Which wine pairs with duck breast on the barbecue ?

A tannic, young red wine is the way to go, Saint-Émilion, Côte Rôtie or Côtes de Nuits are excellent choices alongside a slightly pink duck breast.