The Art of BBQ and Wine: A Journey through Carolina, Texas, Kansas City, and Memphis

Discover the Unique BBQ Styles and Their Best Wine Pairings

Carolina BBQ and Wine Pairing

In the world of BBQ, Carolina style stands out with its focus on pork and vinegar-based sauces. The tangy, spicy flavors of Carolina BBQ demand a wine that can hold its own without overwhelming the food. Enter Riesling, a versatile white wine known for its bright acidity and aromatic bouquet. A dry Riesling works perfectly with the tangy notes of Carolina BBQ, its acidity cutting through the richness of the pork while complementing the vinegar-based sauce. If hot, the light sweetness of off-dry Riesling also provides a great counterpoint to the heat of the BBQ, making Riesling a stellar match for Carolina style.

Texas BBQ and Wine Pairing

Texas is known for its beef BBQ, especially the slow-smoked brisket that's become synonymous with the Lone Star State. With its robust flavors, Texas BBQ needs a wine that can stand up to its intensity. Enter the bold and full-bodied Zinfandel. With its jammy fruit, spicy notes, and high alcohol content, Zinfandel has the heft to stand up to Texas BBQ. The wine's rich fruit flavors help tame the smoky, spicy characteristics of the BBQ, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that's hard to resist.

There is a perfect wine match for each unique style of American Barbeque. (Photo by Marek Mucha on Unsplash)

Kansas City BBQ and Wine Pairing

Kansas City style BBQ is all about variety, but it's perhaps most famous for its sweet, tomato-based sauce. The sugary, tangy, and smoky sauce requires a wine with a bit of sweetness, good acidity, and bold flavors. Enter the versatile and complex Grenache. This red wine is rich and full-bodied, with a slight sweetness that pairs beautifully with Kansas City BBQ. The wine's strong fruit flavors balance the sweetness of the BBQ sauce, while its acidity helps to cleanse the palate, preparing it for the next delicious bite.

Memphis BBQ and Wine Pairing

Memphis BBQ is all about the pork ribs, served either 'wet' (drenched in sauce) or 'dry' (with a dry rub of herbs and spices). This style of BBQ with its smoky, sweet, and savory flavors requires a versatile wine that can handle a range of tastes. Enter Syrah, a rich, full-bodied red wine known for its dark fruit flavors and smoky undertones. The wine's inherent smokiness complements the smoky flavors of the BBQ, while its dark fruit flavors meld well with the sweet and savory aspects of Memphis style. Whether you're a 'wet' or 'dry' fan, Syrah is a great wine pairing choice for Memphis BBQ.