The Perfect Wine For Your Grilling Pleasure!!

Its Grilling and Wine Time!!!

Well Spring finally seems to be here, so it’s time to fire up the grill for great outdoor cooking. Now I realize a lot of…Ah Yankees… call cooking steaks, hamburgers and hotdogs a barbeque, but here in Texas it’s just grilling. And what better way to celebrate a cookout with friends and family than with a really nice wine!

I know to a lot of you, cooking out on a grill means beer, and don’t get me wrong beer really hits the spot on a hot afternoon.  But for me I’ll always have wine as my beverage of choice. And a lot of wines are really refreshing while you’re waiting for the pit master to tell you his superbly prepared meal is ready.

Cooking out with friends and family means good times and great conversations!

The friendship and company is important not the wine. But light bodied wines that are low in alcohol are a perfect match for any outdoor grilling occasion. I love having a Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling or a sparkling wine before the grill foods are served!

 If red wine is what you’re hankering for then have a Chianti, Grenache or Beaujolais, especially if they're slightly chilled.  And I love Rosés on warm afternoons.  And if you really want to have some fun, why not make a Sangria or wine cooler for you and your friends to enjoy!    

Once the food is ready then you need to become more wine serious!!!  

Weather you cook with charcoal, a seasoned gas grill or a smoker, cooking out always adds extra flavors to any food you cook. We all have different types of wine we love so this is a great time to try different wines and enjoy the experience of finding the perfect wine for your outdoor meal!!

Remember there is no right or wrong answer. If you like a wine it’s perfect for you!

For those of you who want a little guidance, let’s start with wines for hamburgers and hot dogs.  I suggest you try a medium-bodied wine such as Syrah, Merlot or Pinot Noir. You might even try…dare I suggest it…a French Cotes du Rhone or Beaujolais. And most Italian reds will meet your needs.  

   

Now if you’re having steaks you’ll need to move up the wine flavor chart. My favorite wines for grilled steaks are Cabernets, Zinfandels and Malbecs. This is also another great time to try a Tempranillo, especially one from Texas.  And if you have to have a French wine, than go with a bold Bordeaux.

If you’re grilling lighter foods such as Chicken, fish or pork go with medium-bodied reds like a nice Merlot or Syrah. And if you want to be more traditional try a full-bodied white wine like Chardonnay. If it has a hint of oak it will work nicely with the smoke flavors of your meal.

And finally, Gale and I always grill our vegetables. Corn, zucchini, bell peppers, squash, potato wedges, egg plants, Portobello mushrooms or any other vegetable you can name will be a lot more nutritious when grilled.  And the smoke and flames add a lot of flavor.So try grilling your vegetables and I know you’ll love them with grill marks.

All the wines mentioned will go well with your charred veggies, but the wines that go with chicken fish or pork will especially taste great! 

       

So fire up your grill and pop the cork on your favorite outdoor wine!

 It’s Spring Which Means It’s Time To Grill It!

Cheers!

Harold

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