Getting ready for your next summer BBQ? We've got a list of the best BBQ wines along with complementary barbecue pairings.
This post was first published on August 2, 2017. It was updated with new photos, more helpful content, and republished July 19, 2023.

It's BBQ season and before you fire up the grill, make sure you've got the best wine to perfectly pair with your delicious BBQ foods!
While food and wine pairing is ultimately subjective, there is some science behind choosing the perfect wine pairing for your backyard BBQ. Different characteristics of wines affect the way we taste food.
When it comes to BBQ wine pairings, it's important to consider the flavors and intensity of the dishes. In this post, you'll find 10 of the best summer wines to pair with different types of foods. Now let's find you the perfect bottle to serve at your next backyard barbecue!
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Best wine for BBQ
Here's a list of 10 wine varietals that can complement various BBQ flavors and a brief explanation of why they pair well. We also include a recipe or two to try that would pair well with each wine to help you have the most delicious summer BBQ ever!
Zinfandel


Zinfandel is a versatile red wine that pairs well with smoky and spicy BBQ flavors. Its bold fruit flavors and high alcohol content can stand up to the richness of barbecue sauce and grilled red meats like a steak and a juicy burger.
Try our Asian Beef Burger recipe or beef ribs with this wine.
Syrah/Shiraz


Syrah or Shiraz wines have bold flavors of dark fruits, pepper, and smoke, making them a perfect match for pairing with grilled meats and BBQ sauce. The wine's robust character complements the intensity of the flavors in BBQ dishes.
Try pairing this wine with our Filipino Pork BBQ Skewers recipe.
Malbec

Malbec is known for its dark fruit flavors, moderate tannins, and smoky notes. It's an ideal pairing with BBQ dishes because its ripe fruit flavors can complement the sweetness and smokiness of BBQ sauces.
Try our BBQ Bacon Burger recipe with this wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon


Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic choice and often seen as a perfectly paired wine for BBQ and grilled meats. Its bold tannins and flavors of blackcurrant, black cherry, and cedar can match the richness and char of BBQ flavors.
This bold red wine is great with BBQ ribs! If you're cooking indoors, you can try pairing it with our Instant Pot BBQ Ribs recipe.
Merlot


Merlot is a medium-bodied red wine with soft tannins and flavors of ripe plums, blackberries, and herbs. It can be a good choice for milder BBQ dishes like turkey, hot dogs, and pork chops. It won't overpower the flavors and can provide a smooth and fruity complement.
Try our Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf recipe, which you can also cook in foil packets on the grill.
Pinot Noir


Pinot Noir is a lighter-bodied red wine with bright acidity and flavors of red berries, cherries, and earthiness. It's an amazing wine, and coming from the Pacific Northwest, it's one of my favorite wines. Ever so versatile, I find that a light pinot noir pairs well with more delicate BBQ flavors such as grilled salmon or lighter BBQ chicken.
Try our Grilled Foil Packet Salmon with Lemon and Herbs recipe.
Rosé


Rosé wines, with their refreshing and fruity profiles, can be a versatile choice for BBQ. The crisp acidity and red fruit flavors in rosés can balance the smoky, tangy, and spicy elements of BBQ foods. Rosé wine is also simply magical to enjoy on its own on hot summer days.
Try our Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers recipe. And if you're looking for the best rosé wines, check out our Rosé wine guide!
Riesling


Riesling is a white wine that can pair well with BBQ dishes, especially if there's a touch of sweetness in the sauce or marinade. Its acidity, fruitiness, and slight sweetness can provide a contrast to the savory flavors of BBQ. It's a fantastic wine to pair with most Asian foods.
Try our Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers recipe.
Sauvignon Blanc


Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine with bright acidity, herbaceous notes, and crisp flavors of citrus . It pairs well with grilled vegetables, white meat, seafood (especially white fish and shellfish), or lighter BBQ dishes, as its acidity can cut through the richness and refresh the palate.
Try our Grilled Seafood Boil Packets recipe with these crisp white wines.
Chardonnay

If you're serving BBQ dishes with creamy or buttery elements, a full-bodied Chardonnay can be a good match. The wine's richness and toasty flavors can complement the smoky and grilled flavors in the food, like barbecue chicken.
Try our Simple Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken recipe
More food and wine pairing guides
🍷 Have you tried one or more of the wine & food pairings listed here? If so, leave a comment below and let us know how they paired together!
What are your favorite dishes to serve at your summer BBQs?
This post was first published on August 2, 2017. It was updated with new photos, more helpful content, and republished July 19, 2023.
Matt says
Cool article!!
I just got into wine after drinking beer for years!
I really love the reds, especially Merlot and Pinot Noir.
I'm no expert so was wondering which red wines you recommend?
Scott says
The wines with BBQ is so tasty and i love the BBQ wine parties. And i am much excited about this post because i am having a BBQ this weekend and now I have some wines to try.
Kristine says
The list of to wine which you have mentioned the above post is good and before saw this i just know the 3 type of wines. The wines with BBQ is so tasty and i love the BBQ wine parties. And i am much excited about this post because i am having a BBQ this weekend and now I have some wines to try.
Karen says
Thank you very much to share us top 10 wine list. I haven't tried any of these wines. Thanks for all your notes!
TFT Boutique says
I love wine tasting. Really good content about wine.I like it..
Alcoline says
Wow you definitely are a wine-lover! The only wine that I have ever tasted from your list is sparkling wine and I admit that it taste great and very addicting. Definitely will be saving your list when me and my kids will have a bbq lunch at our garden! Thanks for sharing this though!
The Southern Thing says
Yum! I don't think you could go wrong with any of these!
alcoline says
I love this list. Would really give this a shot soon! I'm quite curious with the Erath rose of pinot noir.
Create/Enjoy says
Thanks for the list!! We actually had or went to three BBQs last weekend, and I see more in our future!
Maryanne | the little epicurean says
Weather has been crazy in LA this week. It's hot and humid with thunderstorms. I haven't tried any of these wines. Thanks for all your notes!
Emely Roman says
Oh yes! lovely selection of wines! I especially enjoy sweet ones with smokey meat!
Benita says
Oh I really appreciate your posting this because I'm not good at selecting wines for others, I know k=what I like but it's good to have a variety. I'm excited about this post because I'm having a BBQ this weekend and now I have some wines to try.
Vicki says
I love a great rose wine, and you've shown me a few new ones! I can't wait to try them!
Deborah Francisco says
This is great! I'm horrible at picking wines because I'm not familiar enough with the wineries. I've actually been to Maryhill winery though when I lived in Oregon. It was beautiful and they had great wine too!
Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama says
I say sparkling wine is perfect ALL THE TIME, but especially as a way to make a get-together feel special. I love that they're making tiny bottles of bubbly these days!