Finally, it's BBQ season! And with so many flavours sizzling on the grill, you don't want any clashes between your plate and your wine glass. In our guide to the best wines for your summer BBQs, we've covered the most popular options, including meat and veggie dishes. From bold reds for burgers and steaks to crisp whites and rosés for chicken and salmon, we've got the perfect pairings to enhance every bite. Cheers to a delicious summer… for as long as it lasts!
The best wine to pair with BBQ burgers
Carnivor Zinfandel
Well, it’s no surprise to see this win featured. This red practically screams barbecue season. This Cali Zinfandel brings everything you crave: bold flavours that stand up to hearty meats and a robust structure that holds its own against the grill. Picture this: juicy, jammy blackberry notes that are as rich as they are satisfying. The grippy tannins will be perfectly balanced out by the fat and deep umami burger flavours. It's the moreish indulgence and, priced below £10, it's a steal that's hard to resist.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9 (usually more!)
The Best Wine to Pair With BBQ Sausages
Te Pā Signature Series Pinot Noir
For a red wine with BBQ sausages, you want to look for good fruit and plenty of surgical acidity. Obviously, condiments vary pretty wildly including ketchup, mustard and fried onions on top so it’s hard to pick a one size fits all but persistent acidity and a good balance of robust flavour but also letting the food shine should see you through. This Marlborough Pinot brings plenty of nicely integrated oak, fine tannins, earthy complexity and great fruits – cherry, raspberries and plum. The touch of spice will work well too.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £12.50 (Clubcard Price)
The Best Wines to Pair With BBQ Steak
Diablo Purple Malbec
If you’re serving up a glorious piece of BBQ steak, then consider doing a deal with the devil – enter Diablo Purple Malbec. It’s Chilean Malbec from the Maule Valley that delivers exuberant, soft black fruits, deep chocolate and vanilla butterscotch sweetness. It’s rich certainly, but not overly so it won’t overwhelm fattier cuts. Perfect dark and delicious pairing.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10
Grant Burge Barossa Ink Shiraz
Sourced from grapes across the Barossa area, this Shiraz is a symphony of deep, dark fruits like blackberry and plum, enhanced by luscious mocha flavours from oak aging. It's the perfect companion for a flame-grilled steak, bringing out the best in the meat with its rich, complex profile. For the ultimate experience, decant this beauty and let it breathe for an hour before serving. This simple step softens the tannins and unlocks a world of flavours. Paired with hearty BBQ steak, this wine truly sings, making every bite and sip an indulgent delight. Also, any spice in your steak sauce or seasoning will accentuate the lovely rich flavours in this Shiraz.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £10.99
The Best Wine to Pair With BBQ Chicken
Greasy Fingers Big Buttery Chardonnay
This wine really hasn’t been around that long but has certainly made a big buttery splash and become an Aussie favourite. True to its 'big and buttery' promise, it starts with an enticing hit of oaky vanilla. This rich, velvety creamy feel continues in the vein of a Cali Chard, backed up by orchard fruits and a dry finish that’s needed to refresh the palate. This pairs perfectly with the slight grease and pure savoury flavour of BBQ chicken.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8.50 (usually more!)
The Best Wine to Pair With BBQ Pork Chops
Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling
The Marlborough region, renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc, is also home to some stellar Rieslings. One such gem is this Villa Maria number; refreshingly dry, crisp, and fruity, with ripe lime flavours stealing the spotlight. The delightful hint of spring blossom florality beautifully offsets its elegant minerality, but it’s that minerality combined with bright, surgical acidity that cuts through fatty pork and cleanses away the richness. These two combined is perfect balance.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £8.99 (usually more!)
The Best Wine to Pair With BBQ Salmon
Freixenet Italian Sparkling Rose
Introducing Freixenet Italian Sparkling Rosé, a delightful treat that comes in a signature glamorous bottle. Inside, you'll find a delicate blend of Glera and Pinot Noir, delivering fine bubbles and an array of flavours. Think flowery notes, crisp apples, and luscious red berries, all coming together in a wine that boasts both depth and a light, food-friendly character. The dry, fruity nature, the right amount of acidity and pleasant minerality make it a match made in heaven for rich, salty salmon dishes – however you cook it.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £9 (usually more!)
The Best Wine to Pair With Halloumi
2022 Berry Bros. & Rudd New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Discover the 2022 Berry Bros. & Rudd New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, a beautifully aromatic wine from Isabel Estate in Marlborough's Wairau Valley. With fresh green aromas of apples and grasses, and a lively palate featuring gooseberry and kiwi, its crisp acidity pairs perfectly with BBQ Halloumi, cutting through the saltiness and complementing the cheese's rich texture. Those herbal undertones go great too.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £11.60
The Best Wine to Pair With BBQ Veggie Dishes
Louis Jadot Bourgogne Gamay
Unoaked, 100% Gamay from the Beaujolais appellation here. More precisely, from Maison Louis Jadot which owns over 60 hectares of vineyard, many of them premier and grand cru. It’s a charming violet wine with an inviting nose of soft spice and red berries. It’s lively and velvety with a hard-hitting fresh finish. This light-bodied, fruit-forward wine pairs beautifully with BBQ vegetarian dishes, complementing grilled vegetables with its vibrant red fruit flavours and earthy undertones.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £14 (usually more!)
Taking the BBQ outside somewhere? Or just looking for easy access to grab ice cold drinks? Check out our variety of cooler suggestions for the summer.