Which wine to drink with grilled meats?

What Wine to Drink with Grilled Foods

When the warm weather arrives, the aroma of barbecue often follows! Indeed, grilling is a popular choice for outdoor meals, offering a variety of options depending on your tastes or budget. Whether it's juicy steaks, traditional sausages and merguez, fresh fish, marinated chicken skewers, or grilled vegetables, there's something for everyone. But what wine should you serve with your barbecue grill?

Each type of grilled food pairs best with a specific wine to complement its flavors and create the perfect mouthful. White meats, sausages, and merguez typically pair well with a round, spicy red wine from regions like Languedoc, the Rhône Valley, or Provence. For a robust red meat dish such as a barbecue rib-eye steak, you can opt for a more tannic and structured red wine, like those from Bordeaux or Northern Rhône. For vegetables and fish, consider a fresh white wine from Burgundy or a chilled rosé from Provence. It's also crucial to serve your wines at the right temperature, especially in summer when bottles can warm up quickly (so remember to use an ice bucket)!

Which red wine to drink with grilled foods?

When it comes to red meat grilled over glowing wood embers, the choice of red wine will mainly depend on the type of meat and how intense the cooking is. With a rib of beef or well-seared lamb skewers, Rhône Valley wines made from Syrah and Grenache blends are safe choices. These wines offer aromas of spice, a light smokiness, and black fruit that pair perfectly with spicy marinades. You can also turn to an IGP Pays d’Oc red or an AOC Bordeaux based on Cabernet Sauvignon, especially if the meat is well grilled and slightly caramelized.

For less robust meats, such as chicken skewers or pork grilled meats, a Pinot Noir or a red made from the Gamay grape will be more suitable, with more freshness and fruit. If you prefer foreign wines, a supple, already well-mellowed Spanish Rioja Reserva can also work wonders with an assortment of sausages, chops, and grilled vegetables. The key is to keep your food-and-wine pairings in mind and to choose a wine whose structure remains consistent with the texture of the meat and its seasoning.

Which white wine to drink with grilled foods?

Grilling is not limited to red meat. With a grilled fish fillet or grilled salmon fillet, or even shellfish marinated in olive oil and herbs, a lively white wine often provides the finest matches. Sauvignon Blanc-based white wines are particularly interesting, especially when they come from cool terroirs, because they bring bright tension, citrus notes, and a refreshing finish. Wines from the Loire or the Atlantic coast, such as AOC Fiefs Vendéens whites, are perfect for seaside grilling.

With shrimp skewers, squid, or fatty fish, remember to adapt your food-and-wine pairings to the sauce or marinade. A more structured white wine will better accompany a garlic or lemon sauce, while a lighter profile will suit simply grilled preparations. Do not forget serving temperatures, as a white wine that is too warm loses its precision, while a white wine that is too cold masks its aromas.

Which rosé wine to drink with grilled foods?

In summer, Provence rosés are often the first guests at your barbecues. With skewers combining vegetables, poultry, and aromatic herbs, a dry AOC Côtes de Provence rosé offers a fine palette of red fruits and citrus, with welcome freshness. You can also explore rosés from Languedoc or IGP Pays d’Oc, which often show a dry yet generous style, while remaining well balanced. Whatever its geographical origin, rosé offers perfect pairings with vegetarian grills, such as marinated tofu skewers served with mixed salads.

Which Champagne or sparkling wine to drink with grilled foods?

To add a festive touch to your grilled foods, you can absolutely serve bubbles. When well chosen, a sparkling wine can become a surprising and elegant ally for your summer grilling. A well-chilled Champagne Brut works very well as an aperitif, with a few crunchy vegetables or prawn skewers. With the meal itself, a Crémant de Bourgogne pairs wonderfully with grilled fish, marinated poultry, or even roasted vegetables. If you are in the mood for a more original match, dare to try a rosé de saignée Champagne cuvée made from Pinot Noir with poultry grills or grilled shrimp. Here again, think about the tasting temperature, and do not hesitate to place your bottles in an ice-filled Champagne bucket.

The Best Wine Pairings with Grilled Foods

• For Sausages, Merguez, and White Meats

  To accompany tasty sausages, grilled merguez, or white meat on the barbecue, choose a hearty and spicy red wine from an AOC Côtes-du-Rhône or AOC Languedoc. These wines, with their aromas of ripe red fruits, garrigue, and spices, and their round mouthfeel, will perfectly complement the tender texture of chipolatas and the bold flavors of grilled merguez.

• For White Fish like Dorade

  For white fish like dorade grilled on the plancha, opt for a fresh and mineral dry white wine made from Chardonnay. For a perfect pairing, choose a domain in AOC Chablisor AOC Mâcon, known for their delicate notes of white flowers, citrus, and white fruits. Their fresh and mineral profile will enhance the iodized flavors of your grilled fish without overwhelming its delicate flesh.

• For Vegetarian Grilled Vegetables

  If you prefer a vegetarian grilled option, go for a fresh and spicy rosé from a domain in AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence rosé or AOC Bandol rosé. With their intense aromatic profile of crunchy red fruits, citrus, and spices, along with their refreshing quality, these rosés will beautifully complement the grilled flavors of vegetables.

As you can see, whether you're grilling sausages, merguez, skewers, fish, or vegetables, Avenue des Vins has the perfect wine for you! Explore our selection of wines from your chosen château or domain. Red, white, rosé, crémant, or champagne, discover our cuvées to pair with your summer grill or any other recipe of your choice. Enjoy our top-quality cuvées with the best value for money delivered right to your door!

FAQ - Wine and grilled food

Which red wine pairs with a barbecued rib of beef?

Reach for a structured Rhône Valley red blending syrah and grenache; its backbone matches a seared rib of beef or lamb skewers. When the meat is well charred and caramelised, a Bordeaux led by cabernet sauvignon works just as well.

What white wine works with grilled fish or shellfish?

Choose a crisp, taut white from sauvignon blanc or chardonnay. Its citrus lift and tension balance the richness of salmon or shellfish, especially with a marinade of olive oil and herbs.

What temperature should wine be served at for a summer barbecue?

Pour whites and rosés at around 8 to 10 degrees, and lighter reds slightly chilled, near 14 to 16 degrees. Outdoors, keep bottles in an ice bucket, as summer heat warms them within minutes.

Which wine suits vegetarian grilled vegetables?

Yes. A dry rosé from Provence or Languedoc, with red fruit and citrus notes, lifts vegetable or marinated tofu skewers. Its freshness wraps around the grilled flavours without covering them.

Can you drink Champagne or sparkling wine with grilled food?

A well-chilled brut Champagne opens the meal with crunchy vegetables or prawns. With the main course, a Crémant de Bourgogne suits grilled fish and poultry, while a rosé de saignée cuvée pairs boldly with shrimp.