Barbecuing has become more than just throwing briquettes into a metal bowl, spraying it with lighter fluid and standing back while you toss the match in. There are huge multi layer BBQs with side burners, egg shaped BBQ’s, smokers and a whole library full of books about cooking on the grill. Personally, I love to BBQ and my wife loves it when I don’t burn it beyond recognition. Pairing wine with chicken, beef, pork or fish can be challenging as the rubs, sauces, marinates and smoke like flavours can easily over power some wines.
When pairing wines with barbecued meals have one simple rule. Balance. The food and wine should be balanced so that neither dominates your palate. You want to be able to enjoy your dinner while sipping a good wine. If you’re cooking barbecued ribs or steak in a bold spicy sauce then a Shiraz, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon is a good choice. If you are having barbecued pork chops or marinated beef then a GSM or Malbec would be more appropriate. The same is true for seafood on the BBQ. It’s all about balance. Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay pair well with most seafood like barbecued lobster tails, seared scallops and fish tacos.
2014 Hahn GSM – Central Coast, California
A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre similar to the great GSMs of France. A ruby red colour with aromas of dark fruit like plum and an earthy richness to it. Fruit forward flavours of dark fruit with a long blackberry finish. This wine would pair well with Pork chops barbecued in a balsamic marinade
LCBO – $16.70 ($2.00 off) (441568)
Available at Carleton Place and Stittsville LCBO stores
2012 Brazin Zinfandel – Lodi, California
Brazin produces two Zinfandels (Lodi and Dry Creek). The Lodi version is dark red with that familiar jammy flavour of dark fruit like black cherry with some vanilla. It’s a strong wine at 15% ABV but it pairs very well with barbecued spare ribs or pulled pork.
LCBO – $20.95 (256750)
Available at Carleton Place and Stittsville LCBO stores
Cheers!
Mark Cochrane
Email me at markuncorked@gmail.com
Visit my website at www.markuncorked.com
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