Whether you’re heading to a backyard BBQ as a guest or hosting your own, having the right bottle of wine is one of the easiest ways to elevate the entire meal. BBQ food is full of bold, smoky flavours, and the right wine pairing can round out every bite.
BBQ season offers a wide range of flavours to work with, especially here in the beautiful Okanagan, where fresh produce will be bountiful. The key is understanding how different wines interact with things like spice, fat, sweetness, and char. Once you get the hang of it, BBQ and wine pairings become less of a guessing game and more of a fun part of your summer routine.
Grilled Steak + Cabernet Sauvignon
Few pairings are as classic as grilled steak and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Steak is rich, fatty, and often seasoned simply with salt and pepper, which makes it a perfect match for bold reds.
Cabernet Sauvignon typically has a strong structure with firm tannins. Those tannins help cut through the fat in red meats, cleansing your palate between bites. The wine’s dark fruit flavours and often subtle oak notes also complement the char from the grill, making the whole experience feel more balanced and complete.
If you’re looking for robust reds, we recommend a tour down to Oliver or Osoyoos, where warmer temperatures create bigger, bolder reds.
Pork Ribs + Gamay or Syrah
Sticky, saucy pork ribs call for something with a bit of backbone but also some fruit to match the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
A Gamay brings ripe berry flavours and a touch of acidity, which works beautifully with ribs. Syrah is another great option, especially if you lean toward more peppery, smoky styles. Both wines stand up well to richness and sweetness, while still letting the flavours of the meat come through.
For these medium-bodied red wines, you’ll find some excellent picks in Naramata, West Kelowna, or OK Falls.
Smoked Brisket + Full-Bodied Red Blends
When you’re dealing with something like smoked brisket, you want a wine that can handle slow-cooked, smoky flavours.
A full-bodied red blend or a structured Syrah works well here. These wines often have layers of dark fruit, spice, and earthy notes that mirror the depth of the brisket. The richness of the wine matches the richness of the meat, creating a pairing that feels cohesive rather than competing.
Any of our Tours from Penticton South would be an excellent jumping-off point to discover these styles of wine.
Grilled Chicken + Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Chicken is one of the most versatile BBQ options, which means you’ve got flexibility when it comes to wine, but you should keep in mind how you’re planning on seasoning/marinating it.
If the chicken is lightly seasoned or served with a creamy side, a fuller white wine like Chardonnay works well. It has enough body to stand up to the dish without overpowering it.
If the chicken is grilled with herbs or a bit of char, a lighter red like Pinot Noir can be a great match. Pinot Noir has softer tannins and bright acidity, which keeps things fresh while still complementing those subtle smoky notes.
East Kelowna has the perfect micro-climate for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but Lake Country would be an excellent pick too!
Grilled Seafood + Refreshing Whites
For grilled seafood like salmon, shrimp, or halibut, you’ll want something crisply refreshing. This is one of those pairings where the wine keeps everything feeling light and summery, even on a hot day.
Think Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or other lighter white wines. They bring acidity and citrus notes that highlight the natural flavours of the seafood without overwhelming it. They also help balance any oiliness, especially with richer fish like salmon.
Refreshing whites can be found anywhere in the Okanagan, but the cooler microclimates like Kelowna and Summerland really shine here.
Grilled Vegetables & Veggie Skewers + Rosé or Pinot Noir
BBQ isn’t just about meat. Grilled vegetables and vegetarian skewers can be just as satisfying, especially when paired properly. Grilled peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and even plant-based proteins benefit from wines that don’t overpower but still bring some depth.
A dry rosé is a great option here. It has enough structure to handle the grill while still being light and refreshing. If you prefer red, a lighter option like Pinot Noir works well again, especially with vegetables that pick up those smoky flavours.
The central Okanagan will have some really excellent picks focusing on Pinot Noir, but the Okanagan in general has lots of options for Pinots and Rosés.
Planning Your Sides Around the Wine
Sides often get overlooked, but they play a big role in tying all of the flavours of your meal together.
If you’re serving bold reds, consider sides with a bit more richness. Think roasted potatoes, grilled corn with butter, or anything with a bit of char or depth. These help match the wine’s intensity.
For white wine or lighter reds, lean toward fresher sides. Salads with citrus dressing, grilled vegetables, or lighter grain dishes all help keep the overall meal balanced.
The goal is not to match everything perfectly, but to have fun! When your main, sides, and wine all sit in the same general “weight class,” your BBQ experience feels more intentional.
Take the Guesswork Out of Your Next BBQ
One of the best ways to get better at pairing is to think about it ahead of time. And a wine tour is the perfect place to do that.
On your next trip with Vivid Tours, keep your favourite BBQ dishes in mind while you taste. Ask yourself what you would serve each wine with. Would it pair better with grilled meats, seafood, or something lighter?
Tasting wine this way turns it into something practical, not just something you enjoy in the moment. You start building a mental list of go-to pairings for your next BBQ, whether that’s a Cabernet Sauvignon for steak or a crisp white for seafood.
Make Your BBQ Even Better
At the end of the day, wine doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to make good food taste even better.
With the right wine pairing, your BBQ goes from a casual meal to something a little more memorable. The flavours feel more balanced, and you get to enjoy both the food and the wine in a new way.
So next time you fire up the grill, bring a bottle that matches the moment. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.
Looking to take your next wine tour to the next level and wondering are there recommended wine tours in Kelowna with food pairings included? Yes, Vivid Tours hosts the Kelowna Elevated Wine Tour, which includes tastings and food pairings at some of Kelowna’s top wineries. Guests will visit iconic wineries such as Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Quails Gate Winery and Frind Estate Winery and enjoy a curated wine and food pairing experience led by a sommelier.
