There are so many directions you can go with barbecue: brisket and ribs, steaks, pulled pork, chicken, salmon, burgers, sausages and more. On the plus side, there is always a wine that will bring out the best in whatever you’re grilling.

With the big, bigger, bolder, fatty items like brisket, ribs or a slab of steak, it’s time to fight fire with fire and bring out the tannic reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Bordeaux. The rich fruit and tannic structure with hang in there with the fat and the smoke of the meats.

With pulled pork and the tangy sauces folks tend to use, a red Zinfandel is a real treat here. The berry fruit in the Zinfandel works perfectly with the sweet and medium heat in many of the sauces.

Now, there are times when a burger or sausage is what the grill calls for. We’ve got you covered! Lighter bodied reds such as Grenache, Pinot Noir or a chilled Lambrusco all work, as they offer a bit of acidity and some juicy fruit to work through the fattiness of the meats without overpowering them. 

And believe it or not, some folks grill things other than red meat.

Chicken and fish both also find their way to the grill…sometimes done blackened or Cajun, sometimes with a light barbecue sauce, or sometimes just lemon with salt and pepper. This is where we really have some flexibility and can work in both white and rosé wines.

First, I would add one caveat to the white and rosé approach, and that is with blackened preparations. In this case, a medium-bodied Shiraz is the way to go, as it offers its own elements of smoke that work well with the blackened seasoning.

Getting away from the power of the blackened seasoning and off to subtler seasonings… for both chicken and fish, I normally reach for a nice, dry rosé. If you’re more of a white wine person, though, then a Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay is the way to go.

So fire up that grill, figure out what you’re grilling and pair the right wine. Your palate will thank you!

Click below to see some of our favorite wines to pair with your barbecue favorites…

Mike Stolese is the owner of Vermont Wine Merchants, a wholesale distribution company based in Burlington.