BBQ Season Baby!Posted on 22nd July 2022

BBQ Season Baby!

For our first blog we explore BBQ and wine pairing with some recommendations from our website to help you put on the best party.

There's nothing like Jersey in the summer and we're all accustomed to the fact that this signals the start of BBQ season, and what better way to enjoy your sizzled food than with some great wines!

 Firstly, burgers. Time and time again we get told that you can only pair wine with high end dishes and not much else, well that misnomer couldn’t be further from the truth. Wine can pair with just about anything and if paired well can transform the entire meal.

We all know that beef pairs well with heavy reds. Think big Shiraz, bold Cabernet’s & weighty Malbec’s. So let’s head to Australia and venture to the home of punchy reds, Barossa.

Smalltown vineyards, formerly known as the Magpie Estate, produce a real ‘knock your socks off’ kind of wine. The Knock Knock Shiraz, pairs perfectly with anything BBQ. Personally, the Knock Knock is best served alongside flame grilled burgers, charred over hot coals, along with melted cheese and wilted baby spinach in the bun. The peppery note from this 100% Shiraz electrifies the taste buds and adds that depth of flavour you never knew you were missing.

Need something with a little less kick then why not head to Yarra where we sample a Syrah-Gamay blend from De Bortoli. Leanne & Mark have done an amazing job of producing an easy drinking bistro style wine with a Southern French influence. The cooler climate of the Yarra Valley helps to produce a Shiraz that tastes like it should be from Rhône. The Gamay, traditionally grown in Beaujolais helps calm the Syrah even further. The gentle tannins, notes of blackcurrants, blended with high acidity allows for an easy drinking experience that will go perfect with or without food.

Not a fan of reds? No problem.  We’ve got that too!

Over the last ten years the popularity of rosé has risen astronomically with certain fad brands owned by celebs definitely aiding that rise. But what about taking a trip back to where it all began.

Down in Provence along the French Riviera there is a small family run Chateau known by Domaine Ott. Co-Owner Jean-Francois Ott, has been quietly producing some of the best Provence rosés in the region. Something he proudly does with the intention of serving with food.

With notes of peach, zesty fruits & herbal spice, with racy acidity and fermented to dryness this is the perfect palate cleanser. Paired with a chicken Caesar salad, you can’t go wrong. Although suggested to be drunk with food there’s still no reason why you can’t sit poolside glass in hand, flicking through Instagram while the likes role in.

Finally, we hop, skip and jump to South Africa and visit the Waterkloof Estate. Firstly, what a view. Those that have watched a bit too much Netflix may think the building is somewhat familiar. Now although the estate featured in a Black Mirror episode a few years ago that’s not why we’re here.

This biodynamic estate is home to a multitude of flora and fauna with the aim of increasing the local biodiversity while producing some outstanding wines.

The Waterkloof Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect wine for sipping in the sun or sampling alongside to some local lobster. The cool, wind-ravaged environment atop the Cape yields a wine that rivals its French counterparts. The acidity, the notes of limes, the touch of gooseberries and even the hint of fennel makes for an elegant tasting experience. Decanting is highly recommended!