Wine Pairings with Grilled red meat

Barbecues are the very symbol of good company, with smoky, intense flavours that call for wines able to lift them without overpowering them. Grilled meat, fish and vegetables all behave differently, so pairing them with the right wine is essential. Let's discover the best wines to pair with barbecued food.

Characteristics of Grilled Dishes and General Pairings

The choice of wine depends on several factors:

• Type of grilled food: red meat, white meat, fish or vegetables affect the choice of wine.
• Marinades and dressings: spices and sauces may call for a softer or more structured wine.
• Smokiness and intensity: the smoky flavour of the grill goes well with wines of bold character.

Best Food and Wine Pairings for Barbecues

Recommended Structured Red Wines

• Barbera d'Asti DOCG – Perfect with grilled red meat and rib steaks, thanks to its balanced acidity.
• Chianti Classico DOCG – Great for grilled meat with light marinades.
• Syrah Sicilia DOC – Ideal for spiced or smoked meat.

Recommended White Wines

• Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC – Perfect with grilled fish, thanks to its minerality and freshness.
• Fiano di Avellino DOCG – Excellent with white meat and chargrilled cheeses.

Recommended Sparkling Wines

• Franciacorta Brut – Perfect for balancing grilled fish and shellfish.
• Prosecco Superiore DOCG – Excellent with grilled vegetables and white meat.

Recommended Rosé Wines

• Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC – An excellent choice for mixed grills of meat and vegetables.
• Provence Rosé – Ideal for grilled fish with herbs.

Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing

Avoid very tannic red wines (e.g. Barolo, Amarone) with lightly grilled dishes, as they could be too overpowering. Watch out for overly acidic wines if the food is heavily smoked, because they could throw the flavours out of balance. Avoid wines that are too aromatic with spicy red meat, so as not to overwhelm the natural flavour.

Specific Pairings for Some Famous Dishes

Grilled beef rib steak → Barbera d'Asti, Chianti Classico Chargrilled marinated chicken → Fiano di Avellino, Prosecco Superiore Grilled sea bass → Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Provence Rosé Grilled vegetables → Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, Franciacorta Brut