Backyard grilling means different things to different people, which is why the perfect barbecue wine doesn’t exist. Some cookouts are unplanned, spontaneous affairs, while others involve a party-planning checklist that would make Martha Stewart swoon.
The default setting for grill-friendly wines is often robust red wines, but there’s a case to be made for rich and refreshing whites that offer palate-cleansing relief. The choice shouldn’t seem overwhelming. There are many delightful and delicious options that taste even better when enjoyed in the fresh air. You cannot go too far wrong.
Wines made with various grape varieties and in a variety of styles could add sizzle to your flame-grilled festivities. These are nine selections that I have earmarked to enjoy this summer, depending on what’s on the grill and who’s gathered around the backyard.
Bachelder Parcelle Nord Wismer-Foxcroft Single-Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 (Canada), $54.95
This sophisticated and serious chardonnay was produced by Niagara winemaker Thomas Bachelder with grapes grown at the Wismer family’s Foxcroft vineyard in Vineland. It boasts winning texture and structure, with complex oyster shell, citrus, apple and toffee notes. It’s a rich and refreshing white wine that is just hitting its stride. This has 13 per cent ABV and 4 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2032. Available at the above price in Ontario or $60 direct, bachelderniagara.com.
Beronia 198 Barricas Reserva 2019 (Spain), $25.95
This dry tempranillo-based blend offers complex and savoury flavours as part of its robust character. The 2019 vintage in Rioja produced concentrated and ripe grapes that spent 24 months in special barrels made from a mix of French and American oak prior to bottling. The result is a youthful red with a core of cherry and cassis fruit with bold spicy and toasty notes. Decant for best enjoyment. This has 14 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available in Ontario.
Bodega Garzón Reserva Albarino 2024 (Uruguay), $23.95
The albarino grape is the flagship white-wine variety from this exciting winery in Uruguay, which is also celebrated for the quality of red wines produced with the tannat grape. The latest release of its reserve label captures albarino’s textbook apricot and peach flavours with a chalky texture and mouthwatering finish. This is more linear and refined than the juicy styles of albarinos produced along the coast of Spain and Portugal. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario, $24.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta.
Julia Florista White 2023 (Portugal), $9.95
This easy-going white wine from vineyards located around Lisbon suggests a mix of citrus, tropical and floral notes. A blend of regional grape varieties is responsible for its lively and refreshing character. Drink now. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta.
Latour Chardonnay Bourgogne 2023 (France), $26
One of Burgundy’s most celebrated white-wine producers, Louis Latour draws from its extensive vineyard holdings in the region to produce this rich and refreshing chardonnay. A blend of barrel- and tank-fermented wines contributes to the creamy texture and pleasing mix of citrus, apple and honey flavours. This has 13 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2028. Available at the above price in Ontario, $34.99 in British Columbia ($32.99 until April 26), various prices in Alberta and Saskatchewan, $35.99 in Manitoba, $25.45 in Quebec, $40.19 in New Brunswick, $33.20 in Nova Scotia.
Mission Hill Compendium 2019 (Canada), $78.95
Part of Mission Hill’s Legacy collection, Compendium is a cabernet sauvignon-based blend, with cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot. Attention to detail marks every stage of development, resulting in a red wine with impressive richness and complexity. The 2019 growing season was cooler, which contributes more polish than power to the character. The core of dark fruit is rounded out by cedar, leather and spice notes. This has 14.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2032. Available at the above price in Ontario, $80.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $81.25 in Quebec, $82.20 in New Brunswick (2018 vintage).
Pio Cesare Nebbiolo 2022 (Italy), $43.95
Produced from the Langhe appellation, this is Pio Cesare’s more affordable nebbiolo label (compared with the family winery’s Barolo and Barbaresco releases that are sought after by collectors and connoisseurs). The fragrance and vitality of the grape are on display, with a mix of fruit, floral and earthy notes. This is fresh and focused with nicely managed fine tannins that add structure but not heft. This has 14.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta, $42.50 in Quebec (2021 vintage), $44.48 in Nova Scotia.
Vina Real Crianza 2021 (Spain), $19.95
This classic Rioja red offers a ripe and surprisingly complex character with the 2021 vintage release. Crianzas are noted for their fruity and approachable personality, with added depth of flavour and concentration from oak aging. This medium-bodied and well-balanced wine checks all the boxes and is worth considering for the cellar. It has 13 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available at the above price in Ontario, $24.99 in British Columbia ($22.99 until April 26), various prices in Alberta, $18.30 in Quebec (2020 vintage).
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2021 (Australia), $18.95
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon is rightly celebrated as one of Australia’s best red wines, but the smart money is on this velvety and flavourful shiraz. It offers classic Coonawarra fragrance (berry fruit, cedar, mint and floral) with a silky texture and seamless, structured palate. This is satisfying and an outstanding value-for-money prospect. It has 14 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta, $20.65 in Quebec (2022 vintage).
