Date: Fri 11-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAG

Quick Words:

wines-Small-grilling

Full Text:

WINE WISDOM: Keep It Simple: Grilling With Wine

By Steve Small

As I gaze out my window at sunny skies, I cannot help but think about what I

will be grilling tonight for dinner. Reading about $3,000 grills and permanent

backyard fixtures could lead one to believe that outdoor cooking is serious

business. To me, it is just an easy yet delicious way to prepare a meal. My

philosophy of which wine to have with a barbecue is fairly simple.

Medium-bodied, moderately-priced reds or whites are perfect complements to a

meal cooked on the grill.

If you are grilling burgers, steaks, ribs or any other red meat, red wine is a

perfect match. Expensive Cabernets or Bordeaux would not be appropriate

because you are not really looking to subtlety while you are dining at a

picnic table. All you really want is a smooth, flavorful red with enough body

to stand up to the meat.

French Cotes de Rhone or Australian Shiraz are wines that fit this flavor

profile. There are many producers of Cotes due Rhone. Some can be a little

light-bodied but you can also find some excellent values from producers you

may have never heard of.

A consultation with your friendly, neighborhood wine merchant may yield some

interesting sleepers. Guigal, Jaboulet and La Vielle Ferme are reliable and

easy to find Cotes du Rhone. Shiraz is a grape also known as Syrah outside of

Australia. It has a nice fruit and spice flavor that goes really well with

grilled meats. Quality producers that are widely available include Rosemount,

Penfolds, and Lindemans. Banrock Station is fairly new to the US and is an

excellent value.

The KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method also applies to white wines to match

your grilled chicken, fish and vegetables. Chardonnays are extraordinarily

popular these days. They are also perfect for summer sipping with a meal on

the deck.

Once again there is no need to look for hard-to-find, super expensive, super

buttery and oaky wines. Tasty moderately priced Chardonnays from J. Lohr,

Estancia and Louis Latour all provide excellent fruit flavor with appropriate

amounts of oak to stand up to the grilled foods.

To me, summer grilling implies a relaxing meal. Your choice of wine should be

equally relaxed. Just grab a bottle of easy drinking, moderately-priced wine

and put your feet up. Now if you will excuse me, I have to run. I think the

steaks are starting to burn.

(Steve Small is the former owner of Steve's Liquor Store in Newtown. He

remains a practicing connoisseur of wine and related information.)