Best wines for your next Barbecue

British Barbecue Season is in full swing

Heatwaves shimmering off the glowing coals, aromas of grilled meats wafting on the breeze, the background chatter of contented guests … there’s nothing quite like a British barbecue.

You can keep it simple, with just burgers and buns, or go all‑out, with fancy salads, sticky ribs and the whole works. But there’s one thing you’ll definitely want to get right. The wine.

This guide is designed to help you do just that. Read on to discover the best sparkling wine to greet your guests with, the perfect red to match with steak, an inspired match for sticky ribs and more.

The best Sparkling wine to serve at a barbecue

Greeting your guests with a glass of something fizzy is a great way to create a sense of occasion. You could splash out on Champagne – but that quickly gets pricey if you’re expecting a crowd.

I’d recommend going with Prosecco (always popular) or Cava – the Spanish bubbly that is made just like Champagne but comes at a fraction of the cost. Here are my two top picks:

Il Papavero Prosecco, Italy
I recently tasted all of our Proseccos with a friend who was planning her wedding wines. This one came out on top – fresh and gently fizzy with citrus fruit and a classic Italian hint of almonds. A guaranteed crowd pleaser, with a touch of class – and great value, too.

¡Hola! Cava Brut, Spain
The classic sparkling wine, Cava, fell out of fashion for a while – until Spain’s winemakers upped their game and reminded us just how good it can be. Made just like Champagne, this organic fizz offers bright Granny Smith apple, citrus and floral flavours. My go‑to bubbly.

The best red wine for a barbecue

Red wines are the go‑to for most drinkers at a barbecue. Soft and fruity or rich and powerful – they’re perfect for matching the rich flavours of grilled meats. Here are my top picks – depending what’s on your plate.

Bangers and burgers

A tricky one this, because while beef burgers are red meat, pork sausages are technically white meat. And there’s a fair chance your guests will be enjoying both. But I wouldn’t overthink it. Most people will enjoy a fruity red with either of these barbecue staples.

So, I’d go with the classic match for burgers – Malbec. A good Malbec should have plenty of fruit without being too heavy, and that will really shine alongside the rich umami flavours of the grilled meats. The freshness of a Malbec will also cut through all those fatty flavours – especially if you’re enjoying your burgers and sausages in buns, with cheese and caramelised onions.

Opi Malbec, Argentina
You can’t go wrong with our No.1 bestselling Malbec. It’s been a huge customer favourite for decades, wowing fans with its juicy blueberry and plum fruit and fresh finish.

The Black Stump Malbec, Australia
Crafted by the man behind our bestselling Aussie red, The Black Stump Malbec offers all the fresh red and black fruit fans of Argentinian Malbec adore, with extra Aussie pizzazz.

the best white wines for a barbecue

There’s much more to a barbecue than char‑grilled red meats – and there are plenty of reasons your guests might want to drink white wine rather than red. Here are some suggestions to keep white‑wine drinkers topped up and happy.

Pork and Chicken

From sticky ribs to spicy wings, pork and chicken can give an extra dimension of flavour to your barbecue. Here you’ll want a richer white, to match the fuller flavours.

Gold Top Chardonnay, Australia
Remember those big, creamy, oaky Aussie Chardonnays we all used to love? They’re back – and Gold Top is leading the charge. A timeless classic, perfect with grilled chicken.

Stellenrust Heritage Chenin Blanc, South Africa
Chenin Blanc is the classic match for pork, and the citrus, pineapple and apricot flavours of this luxurious South African white will bring out the best in sticky ribs or spicy pork belly strips.

Serving and enjoying Barbecue wines

It takes a lot of effort to put on a barbecue – and you’ll want to show your wines at their best, too. So here are three top tips for serving wine at your next barbecue

• Get plenty of ice to keep your whites chilled – they'll warm up quickly in the sun.
• Magnums make a big impression – though white can be tricky to fit in the fridge.
• Wine boxes are great value and convenient – plus they'll keep well if you have leftovers.

Now all that’s left to do is light the coals, pop the corks and enjoy the long, lazy evening. Cheers to great food, good company – and wine that rises to the occasion.

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