Whether it’s chicken, pork, sausages, offal, lamb or red meat, grilled meat gains new traits that one must consider when selecting the right wine pairing. When kissed by smoke and fire, meat is charred, and it’s inevitably infused with smoke. The meat’s fat renders at high temperatures, making grilled meat firm but juicy, always with a crispy crust.

When pairing grilled meat, consider the smoked and charred flavours, which are more compatible with red wine, especially when aged in oak barrels that add their own smoky notes to the wine.

Red wine from Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhône, the Sud Ouest and Bordeaux are incredibly compatible with grilled meat, and so are the tight red wines from the Lore Valley. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsault, Tannat Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah and some Pinots display bold, smoky bouquets. They’re all ideal for a grilling party.

Keep in mind there are many ways of grilling meat. A gas-fired grill won’t add the same smokiness to the food as a wood-fired grill, and that might make you want to consider one bottle of wine over another. Explore our selection for wine ideal for grilled meat below.