Top 10 wines for a summer BBQ

Comments: Note: Possibly, the Vignobles Abeille is a special bottling for the UK/EU market. The regular Lirac from Mont Redon is excellent as well and highly recommended - it might even be the same one with another name! A complex, well balanced medium bodied red with well integrated alcohol. It's really the perfect red with meat, and the nice fresh red fruit it shows now makes it immediately enjoyable, though it can age for 10-15 years. Nice, dry tannins, good structure. Lovely wine at an amazing price for the quality.

Comments: Very good Portugese red, with dried herbs and nice savory fruit. Killer with pulled pork (if you pass on the sweet BBQ sauce), and a very good price/performance wine.

Comments: A classic, aged Bordeaux - well balanced red fruit with leather, tobacco and fall forest scents. Nicely softening tannins. Balance, structure and age at an unbeatable price!

Comments: I generally never approve of sparklers from outside the Champagne region. Other French sparkling wines, like Cremant de Bourgogne or Cremant de Loire, can be ok. This time, however, an Aussie bubbly from the Domaine Chandon (called Domaine Greenpoint in the UK) surprised me with balance, bone-dry freshness, and lots of lovely little bubbles. Definitely a good budget alternative to champagne!

Comments: A good basic Brut (dry) champagne to wet appetites!

Comments: A precise, dense, fresh rosé in a food-friendly style. A "real" wine, not a sweet cordial for adults.

Comments: This sweet late harvest Furmint from Rojal Tokaij was a brilliant match with a classic Gotland (a Swedish island known for their saffron-infused dishes) apple cake with saffron and almonds, with whipped cream. The almond, saffron and baked apple flavors came out in the wine as well.