This beautiful weather has seen endless garden gatherings over the last few weeks.  But, we’ve noticed today’s barbecue parties are more sophisticated than ever before. Burnt-yet-raw chicken drumsticks have been replaced by dishes like char-grilled sea bass and Halloumi cheese kebabs. And of course, such delicious fare deserves the right wine to accompany and complement it.

Understanding Barbecue Cooking

Barbecuing is a fast-cooking method that seals in food’s natural juices and flavours.  The high temperatures quickly sear the outside of the food and carmelise its sugars and fats, which further intensifies the natural flavours and also adds sweetness to the finished dishes. Sweetness is often accentuated by the use of marinades and sauces, such as barbecue or sweet and sour sauce.  Sometimes there’s a chilli and spice element to be considered too, as well as the smokiness that’s imparted from the charcoal, so you need to serve wines that will balance any spiciness in the dish as well as complement the intensified natural flavours of the food.

Matching Wines to Barbecue Food

Grapes grown in hot climates ripen easily and the wines made from them are full-flavoured and taste sweeter/riper. Often there is more residual sugar in a hot climate wine than a cool climate wine, hence they seemingly taste ‘sweeter’. These characteristics match those found in barbecued food. The ripeness or sweetness in some wines also will balance the flavour of any smoke and any heat and spice. So hot climate wines like those from California, the Med, Australia and Chile are often the best choice.

For more delicious alfresco dining ideas, why not come along to our Wines & Beef Barbecue Day this Saturday 3rd July at Berrys’ Factory Outlet in Basingstoke?!

If you can make it along to the event then you can…

…SAVE 15% or more on everything in Berrys’ Own Selection, including spirits, wines and fortifieds – plus there’s at least 25% off all our other bin end wines

…TASTE a vast array of wines, specially selected with barbecues in mind

…TRY Sarah Purdon’s fabulous Belted Galloway beef which will also be available for you to buy (in limited supply so arrive early)

…GET A FREE Berrys’ apron worth £15 when you spend £100 or more in store and become the smartest barbecue chef in town this summer!

…TAKEAWAY a free copy of Berrys’ Wine & Barbecue leaflet, which is full of great wine matching tips and tasty recipes from our Head Chef

Plus Sarah Purdon, who produces the best beef we’ve ever tasted, will be on hand to talk about and offer you tasters of her sublime beef. Sarah will also have beef available to buy on the day, but supply is very limited, so, once again, you’ll arrive early if you don’t miss out…