BBQ & Wine Parings....

[Single Fin Smoker]

Ok, being that I work in the wine industry, I was wondering what type of beverage that you enjoy with smoked meats, wine, beer, soda etc. After a recent visit to Texas, where my family has done its part to keep Budwieser alive and well and living large, I was amazed at how very little red wine was consumed during thier BBQ experiences.
Ever being the idealist, I set out to make some converts(Not easy with this particular Texas crowd). Knowing that my brother was preparing several briskets, slabs of ribs and vinicin sausage, I decided to hit Sams Club and purchase a few different red wines(as well as the 30 pack of Budlight that was requested of me).
Wines purchased: 1.5 litre Concha Y Toro Cab/Merlot blend & 1.5 litre Delicato Zinfandel. Each wine cost no more than $8.00.
When I suggested washing down a bite of Brisket with the Zinfandel, they all looked at my like I was on crack (or from California). Wouldn't you know it, after a few trys they couldn't get enough of it. In no time at all that wine was polished off like it was prom nite.

Accordingly, I put the question to all of you: What is the beverage of choice you pair with your meat of choice?

 

[bbqbull]

Not going to make any friends here with this awnser but......Segrams and water. Second choice is iced tea.

 

[Jorge]

Beer and BBQ just go together. Now steak....I've been enjoying some Messinahoff reds.

 

[Q_Egg]

......... long time Calif winedrinkers and there are not many that we do not enjoy with BBQ. If you pin me down, even though we prefer dry reds and whites with most meals, BBQ seems to work well for us with semi-sweets like Reisling, Dry Chenin Blanc, Beaujolois, but nothing wrong with a big fruity Zin or even a lighter style Cab. Sure there's always a cold Corona or Dos Equis around and iced tea is a daily staple. Good Q is a hearty taste so no need to go beyond $10. bottles.

 

[jpw23]

Out of my element here......beer, makers mark or iced tea for me. Maybe some tang in the mornings with my coffee!

 

[River City Smokehouse]

I only drink a real wine.

 

[FatDaddy]

Miller Lite, shiner bock, dos equis or what ever is left in the back of my truck from the night before. and occasionally some makers mark or JD

 

[bbqjoe]

Tang??
That reminds me, what ever happened to space food sticks???

I always enjoy a cold bud with que. But a nice Merlot is always acceptable as well.

 

[ique]

Ok, being that I work in the wine industry, I was wondering what type

Wine can pair nicely with barbecue. I think why many folks dont think of wine with bbq is, sweet liquid smoke bbq sauce does not work with wine. Skip that, and focus on minimally seasoned rich smokey meats and you can have amazing wine matches.

Traditional barbecue, beef seasoned with salt/pepper/post oak for instance, works great with big juicy spicy reds such as Australian Shiraz or Spanish Grenache.

Avoid wines like Cab Sauvignon as spices clash with heavy tannins.

And if Bud works, so will sparkling wine. Spanish Cava or Italian Prosecco would be my choices with some loinback ribs. All sorts of crisp white wines like New Zealand Sauv Blanc match nicely with smoked chicken, seasoned with say, lemon pepper.

Rick Bayless, in his books, focuses on matching wines with Mexican cuisine. Most of his rules apply to BBQ in my opinion.

I also like ice cold PBR tallboys with barbecue.

 

[RichardF]

Here is a partial list of mostly reds that I have served with q over the last 4 years that people have really enjoyed in no particular order:

Massanera Chianti Classico

Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45

Goat Roti

Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa

Navarro Correas Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza

Bonny Doon Vineyards Le Cigare Volant California

Ch L'Ermitage Sainte Cecile

Christian Salmon Sancerre Vieilles Vignes

Chateau Arthus Cotes de Castillon

Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura

I'm partial to the Italians and the Argentine, but am most often found cooking and eating with a Shiner Bock in one hand. With the exception of one or two, most are sub $15, and a couple are sub $10. As a side note, I'm amazed at the wine deals available at COSTCO.

 

[butts]

I agree with most others here:

Beer and BBQ=good:-D
Wine and BBQ=maybe

If I had to pick a wine I'd shoot for a huge Shiraz or Zin with a big peppery, spicey overtone. Any red wine by Rodney Strong would work as well.

 

[BBQchef33]

Iced tea, unsweetened

Lemonade, apple juice,

and Margaritas!!!

 

[cmcadams]

I love wine and q... Zins that have some pepper to them, grenache, beaujoulais (sp?), pinot noir, red sangria are my favorites.

 

[parrothead]

I would think that a nice glass of vintage port would finish the meal off very nicely.

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

I would think that a nice glass of vintage port would finish the meal off very nicely.

Oh yeah!

I like a soft Merlot with Q sometimes. Not too heavy like a Cab can be.

 

[Mark]

Sangria spiked with Xanax

 

[Wine & Swine]

Well I think by name alone I need to post. I am a trained sommelier and have been into wine for years. I think the pairing is important but my number one rule regarding this is drink what you like. If you dont like red wine you are not going to like it with bbq, period. On our team it is my brother (a die hard Bud man), our friend Pete (a beer connoisseur who likes to try exotic brews), our friend Chris (a wine freak who is the Italian specaialist for one of the big distributers and just loves to drink wine, any wine) and myself. Needless to say we have alot of fun. I think wine works great with many of the meats (big spicy reds like Zins and new world Syrah/Shiraz blends are awesome), but an ice cold beer is usually my preference when cooking (primarily because it is cold). I could talk for hours on this subject but in the end the rule is same...drink what you like.
John

 

[G$]

Well I think by name alone I need to post. I am a trained sommelier and have been into wine for years. I think the pairing is important but my number one rule regarding this is drink what you like. If you dont like red wine you are not going to like it with bbq, period. On our team it is my brother (a die hard Bud man), our friend Pete (a beer connoisseur who likes to try exotic brews), our friend Chris (a wine freak who is the Italian specaialist for one of the big distributers and just loves to drink wine, any wine) and myself. Needless to say we have alot of fun. I think wine works great with many of the meats (big spicy reds like Zins and new world Syrah/Shiraz blends are awesome), but an ice cold beer is usually my preference when cooking (primarily because it is cold). I could talk for hours on this subject but in the end the rule is same...drink what you like.
John

I agree with basically all of what W&S says. If you really try to pair wine and Q, you will have a tough go at it. Best bet would be spicy Zinfandels or Syrahs. They really can not stand up to the Q in my opinion, at least the way I season it. I usually opt for the contrast .... a nice lager ....

(I have been meaning to try the jug Zinfandel that 3 thieves is pimping in the discount stores. It would be neat to find a serviceable jug for Q)

Bear in mind, I am an idiot, and may have no clue what I am talking about.

 

[G$]

Here is a partial list of mostly reds that I have served with q over the last 4 years that people have really enjoyed in no particular order:

Massanera Chianti Classico

Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45

Goat Roti

Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa

Navarro Correas Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza

Bonny Doon Vineyards Le Cigare Volant California

Ch L'Ermitage Sainte Cecile

Christian Salmon Sancerre Vieilles Vignes

Chateau Arthus Cotes de Castillon

Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura

I'm partial to the Italians and the Argentine, but am most often found cooking and eating with a Shiner Bock in one hand. With the exception of one or two, most are sub $15, and a couple are sub $10. As a side note, I'm amazed at the wine deals available at COSTCO.

When I can eat Q and drink again I will have to try some of these. Thanks for the specific list.

 

[ique]

(I have been meaning to try the jug Zinfandel that 3 thieves is pimping in the discount stores. It would be neat to find a serviceable jug for Q)

That 3 thieves juice is good stuff for the price, would be perfect for barbecue.