What's the best type of wine for a barbecue?

Beer is still seen as a more common pairing than wine with a barbecue but if you’re planning one this weekend - or barbecuing any other weekend this summer - and you prefer drinking wine you may well be wondering which one to choose.

After all the average barbie with its multiple marinades, sauces and salsas is an assault course for any wine. Which is why a lot of people give up and drink beer or pitcher cocktails.

What wine works with BBQ?

* A lot of barbecue marinades are sweet which tends to make lighter wines taste thin and sharp. But they may also be spicy so you don’t want a wine that’s too tannic or oaky. Sharply dressed salads will also accentuate oaky flavours

* Bear in mind that although people love full-bodied reds like malbec and shiraz they may warm up to an uncomfortable extent if it's a hot day (those beers and pitcher drinks are cold for a reason!) So either go for a lighter red or try and keep them somewhere cool.

* Not all barbecues are meaty. Think crisp white wines and rosé or light reds like pinot noir, Beaujolais or mencia if your centrepiece is fish or veggies.

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