Best Wines for BBQ: A Summer Grilling Guide

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Fire, smoke, and a glass of something good. BBQ and wine are a natural match, but most people default to beer without considering how well a bold red or chilled rosé can complement charred, smoky flavours.

This guide covers the best wines to pour at your next cookout, organised by style and what’s actually on the grill.

Why Wine and BBQ Work

BBQ is all about big flavours: char, smoke, spice rubs, tangy sauces. Wine brings acidity that cuts through richness, fruit that complements sweetness in glazes, and tannins that stand up to fatty cuts. The contrast is what makes it work.

Best Wines for a Picnic: What to Bring Outdoors

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Picnic season is here, and choosing the right wine makes all the difference between a memorable afternoon and a lukewarm disappointment. The best picnic wines are portable, crowd-pleasing, and forgiving when the temperature is not perfectly controlled. Here is what to pack and, just as importantly, what to leave at home.

What Makes a Great Picnic Wine?

Before reaching for your favourite bottle, consider the practicalities:

Screw caps and cans are your friends. Forgetting a corkscrew is the fastest way to ruin a picnic. Screw caps are not a sign of cheap wine; many premium producers use them.
Lighter styles travel better. Wines that are best at cellar temperature (around 12 to 16 degrees) are more forgiving in fluctuating outdoor conditions than those requiring precise serving temperatures.
Crowd-pleasers win outdoors. A picnic is not the time for divisive, challenging wines. Choose something approachable that everyone will enjoy.
Think about the food. Picnic fare tends to be light: bread, cheese, charcuterie, salads, and fruit. Match your wine to the spread.

The Best Picnic Wines

Dry Rose