Grill this, Drink this: The wines to serve at your next BBQ

Your guide to grilled food and wine pairings

With good food, wine and company as the main ingredients, it’s little wonder we all love a BBQ get-together. There’s something about the help-yourself spread and throw-it-on the barbie cooking style that creates a more relaxed atmosphere than any other dining experience. A BBQ doesn’t force any rules on guests about how they prefer their food and drink to be served and because of this, it’s a perfect opportunity to offer up a range of clever wine choices that will enhance everyone’s experience. Here are some of the best beverages to pair with your next outdoor feast. 

BOLD BURGERS

Pair burgers with... Shiraz  

Easy to hold, flip and to stack high with several sides, the jam-packed beef burger is the ultimate in BBQ food. Burgers are bold in flavour—consider the combination of rich beef, creamy cheese and zingy onion, for example—so you’ll need a bold wine to compete. 

Try our Reserve Limestone Coast Shiraz which has the aroma of dark berry fruits with lifted pepper and notes of mocha. 

BBQ Get-together

A SIDEKICK FOR SALMON

Pair salmon with… Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay 

Salmon is a rich, oily fish that stands up to all sorts of marinades, from a dark teriyaki to a spicy, chilli-spiked glaze. Although fish generally loves the gentle pairing of soft whites, salmon goes just as well with something with a little more bite. A complex Chardonnay with a lovely rich texture for example, is hearty but not heavy—just like salmon. If you’re going to coat your fish in strong sauces, you could also try a crisp and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc for balance.  

Try our Double Barrel Chardonnay, or our Reserve Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc. 

LOVELY LAMB

Pair lamb with... Cabernet Sauvignon  

Whether you’re throwing on a rack of ribs or slow-roasting a shoulder, it’s clear that lamb is the perfect meat for sharing. And when it comes to the best bottle for sharing with your BBQ lamb, a Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect partner - balancing a ripe fruit taste to the delicate, slightly sweet juices of the lamb and its approachable tannins go hand-in-hand with a rich meat flavour. 

Try our Reserve Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon.

Grilled lamb

A SUCCULENT STEAK

Pair steak with… Shiraz

If you’re serving steak at your BBQ, your drink pairing should do the much-loved grill staple justice. To complement its juiciness, a savoury Shiraz has complementary charred notes and rich, concentrated flavour.   

Try our Double Barrel Shiraz.

CHOOSING A MATCH FOR CHICKEN

Pair chicken with… Grenache 

Thinking of charred chicken for your next BBQ? Your best bet is a fruit-driven Grenache to match with the smoky and spiced flavours of the food. Serve with a side of lemon to really enhance this pairing.   

Try our Limited Release Grenache.

A VARIETY OF VEGETABLES

Pair grilled vegetables with… Cabernet Sauvignon 

Skewers of veggies such as juicy zucchini, salty halloumi and sweet red onion deserve a wine that can stand up to the variety of strong flavours. A medium-bodied red such as a Cabernet Sauvignon will complement the deliciously charred quality of grilled vegetables. 

Try our Classic Cabernet Sauvignon.