BBQ wants fruit-forward reds that can handle char and sauce. My picks: an Australian Shiraz like Elderton for ribs and pulled pork, Zuccardi Q Malbec for burgers and brisket, and a dry Provence rosé for grilled chicken and sausages. All on my list. Chill the reds fifteen minutes before you pour.
By Michael Bottigliero, Certified Sommelier (WSET Advanced), Founder of Bottles Nation.
Achaval-Ferrer · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: One of the best, elegant, mineral driven Malbecs you can get at the price
Agua de Piedra · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Bold, dark Mendoza fruit, hard-working value.
Aia Vecchia · Red Blend · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Rich Tuscan blend, serious steakhouse bargain.
Alamos (Catena) · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Classic Andean grit, punchy plum value.
Altaland (Catena Family) · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Plush high-altitude berry, blue-collar legend by Catena.
Altos Las Hormigas · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Pure, unvarnished Mendoza plum; zero heavy oak.
Antigal · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Velvety Uco plum, no-nonsense barbecue buddy.
Argento · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Dark berry core, rugged Mendoza value, anytime.
Avignonesi · Sangiovese · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Bright red cherry, dusty Tuscan earth, pure everyday value.
Bardos · Tempranillo · Red · Spain
Michael's take: Fresh black fruit, stony Ribera mineral, high-altitude tension.
Belasco de Baquedano · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Ripe, smoky blackberry, velvety Mendoza grip, old-school value.
Bibi Graetz · Sangiovese · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Juicy red cherry, rustic Tuscan herb, pure casual Sangiovese charm.
Billette · Grenache/Cinsault/Syrah · Rosé · France
Michael's take: Crisp strawberry, flinty limestone minerality, quintessential poolside Provence.
Bodega Norton · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Deep plum, dark chocolate, structured Luján de Cuyo value.
Bodegas Renacer · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Juicy dark plum, dark chocolate undertones, smooth everyday Mendoza value.
Brin de · Grenache/Cinsault/Syrah · Rosé · France
Michael's take: Sun-baked wild strawberry, dried garrigue thyme, crisp, classic Aix-en-Provence pale pink.
Burgans · Albarino · White · Spain
Michael's take: Ripe white peach, briny sea spray minerality, vibrant, juicy Salnés Valley energy.
Capezzana · Sangiovese Blend · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Dried black cherry, dusty terracotta, savory leather, beautifully aged Tuscan elegance.
Carletto · Montepulciano · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Smoky dark plum, rustic leather, soft baking spice, juicy everyday Abruzzo charm.
Bodegas CARO (Catena & Lafite) · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Plush dark plum, crushed violet petals, fresh, unseasoned high-altitude Mendoza purity.
Casa Santos Lima · Red Blend · Red · Portugal
Michael's take: Ripe brambly blackberry, sweet vanilla oak, plush, jammy Lisboa sun-warmed richness.
Castellana · Montepulciano · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Dark cherry compote, rustic wild herbs, soft baking spice, juicy everyday Abruzzo warmth.
Castellani · Sangiovese · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Dried tart cherry, dusty brick earth, rustic leather, perfectly mature, food-friendly Tuscan charm.
Castello di Monsanto · Sangiovese Blend · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Dried dark cherry, savory cedarwood, dusty Tuscan brush, beautifully integrated, food-friendly structure.
Cataldi Madonna · Montepulciano · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Crunchy dark plum, crushed black pepper, rustic wild thyme, vibrant, cement-aged Abruzzo energy.
Catena · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Plush dark blackberry, sweet violet petals, hints of dark chocolate, classic high-altitude Mendoza balance.
Chateau Tour de Bonnet · Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon · White · France
Michael's take: Crisp green apple, bright pink grapefruit, fresh grassy undertones, snappy, refreshing Entre-Deux-Mers energy.
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona · Sangiovese Blend · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Bright red cherry, savory wild rosemary, dusty red earth, vibrant, youthful Sangiovese lift.
Clos Floridene · Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon · White · France
Michael's take: Ripe white peach, lemon verbena, smoky flint minerality, beautifully textured, barrel-aged Graves elegance.
Susana Balbo (Crios) · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Plump black cherry, juicy crushed blackberry, sweet baking spice, vibrant and accessible Mendoza energy.
An Australian Shiraz. The peppery, jammy fruit is basically designed for BBQ sauce, and the tannin cuts through the fat of the ribs. A Barossa Shiraz like Elderton or McGuigan Handmade at $25-$40 is the safest bet for any smoked pork on the planet.
Malbec or Shiraz. Brisket is rich, fatty, smoky — you need a red with fruit weight and enough structure to keep up. A Mendoza Malbec like Zuccardi Q or an Australian Shiraz both work. Skip anything delicate; brisket flattens it.
Absolutely — a bold, dry Provence rosé or a Spanish rosado like El Coto Rosado handles grilled sausages, chicken, and vegetables beautifully. It's the sneaky-good move at a summer cookout when reds start to feel too heavy in the sun.
Ask in your own words - dinner, occasion, budget - and get 2-3 bottles straight from Michael's list.