Wackus Bacchus writes..
I’m very laissez faire about food and wine matching anyway so when it comes to a barbecue I’m even more relaxed. You just need good all-rounders. Something fruity, clean, fresh and swiggable. On very hot days I use bags of ice cubes in a bucket of water to keep the whites cold. It’s not a bad idea to do the same with young fruity reds, let them warm up by the sun and you might as well stir in milk and two sugars.
We asked our friendly retailers what they’d suggest to go with an outdoor grill and they sent a selection of interesting and diverse styles, the reds all with particularly bright and fun labels. Let’s see if the contents stack up……………
GSM Grenache Syrah Mourvedre Spain 2016 M&S £7.50
Bright ruby red, clean intense aromas of licorice and plum. Juicy fruity palate with texture and weight. Enough tannin to counterbalance smokey barbecued meats.
Gran Passo Tinto Red Casa Santos Lima Portugal 2015 Waitrose £7.99
Deep dark red with ruby rim. Powerful, intriguing nose, slightly rustic, which follows through to the palate. Rich and subtle,
layers of chocolate and berry fruit, with again enough character and 14% alcohol to stand up to anything grilled.
Beefsteak Club Malbec Mendoza Argentina 2016 Majestic £9.99/£7.99 (Mix 6 )
Mellow tawny red , belying its 2016 vintage. Unusual herbal and dried fruit aromas. Smooth and soft on the palate, with good mouthfeel and flavours of black cherry and plum, seasoned once again with a dried herb lift.
Terre Siciliane Bianco Italy 2016 M&S £7
Clean fresh, with restrained citrus aromas, (I’m always amazed how they can produce such delicate whites in the heat of Sicily) with a lovely refreshing, racy palate. Summer in a glass.
Picpoul de Pinet Villemarin France 2016 Majestic £9.99/£7.99 (mix 6 )
Pale straw yellow, very clean, yeasty and citrus nose, lovely zingy attack, nice weight, and an almost salty, greenish tangy finish. Very moreish.
DR Grey Slate Riesling Loosen Bros Germany 2015 Waitrose £9.99
Pale lemon colour. Clean, grapefruity aromas. Rich and textural, with a crispness and minerality, amazing considering its 10.5 alcohol level. Perfect at lunchtime.
All wines really respond to the challenge, very happy to recommend all six, super sizzlers