IT'S WARMING UP OUT THERE: 4 BBQ-FRIENDLY RED WINES FOR BRINGING THE HEAT TO YOUR NEXT SUMMER COOKOUT

Grilling season is nigh, Thurstqueen. And you know what that means — rich, bold, juicy reds that demand smoky meaty flavors. So without further ado, let’s get into it.

BBQ WINE 1: BONARDA

TRY: 2020 Altos Las Hormigas “Colonia Las Liebres” Bonarda Mendoza $10.99 @ K&L

Do you love inky wines screaming with black fruit but hate heavy tannins and oak? Then Bonarda is a grape you should try! This wine has loads of aromas of blueberries, black olives, and blackberry jam. There’s just a touch of chocolate and cocoa dust in this wine, giving it some nice complexity. It’s juicy AF, higher in acid, and very low in tannin - making it the perfect wine to enjoy glass after glass of. Bonarda is a rising star grape from Argentina, and is starting to make appearances here and there in the US of A. This wine is an awesome value to bring to your next BBQ shindig under $20.00, and it’s luscious easy-drinking style makes it a surefire crowd pleaser! Basically, this expression of Bonarda is perfect for folks who like Malbec, but want something a little more low-key - as Malbec can be friggin’ MASSIVE. Speaking of Malbec—

BBQ WINE 2: MALBEC

TRY: BELASCO LLAMA MALBEC $14.99 @ WORLD MARKET (GROVE LOCATION)

Malbec is big, fruity and loaded with alcohol - but that doesn’t mean it’s not a friendly wine. What I love about Malbec is its drinkability. Unlike Cabernet Sauvignon or Petit Sirah, it doesn’t have super astringent mouth-drying tannins. Malbec is juicy and soft, but loaded with big black fruit. When I drink Malbec, I typically get juicy ripe plums kissed with milk chocolate, and maybe a little violets in there as well. You can look for great Malbecs from Argentina, and I always suggest seeking out higher-elevation Malbecs, as this grape does super well with a view. There’s something about the increased altitude that puts more stress on the grape and leads to greater complexity. Because Malbec is a bit less tannic than Cabernet, you can pair it with leaner Barbecued meats, like lamb kebabs. For all my plant-based friends, Malbec and grilled portobello mushroom burgers are a match made in heaven!

BBQ WINE 3: CARIGNAN

TRY: LES CELLIERS DE MEKNES ZAYANE CARIGNAN $16.99 @ Whole Foods

A rich and meaty red grape that is popular in Southern France’s Languedoc AOC, Carignan is a great value red. Definitely try to look for Old Vine expressions of Carignan, because this grape only gets better with age! Carignan is extremely fruity, and tastes a lot like dried cranberries, with more than its fair share of bacon-flavored goodness. If you’re looking to score a bottle, hit up Carignan from the Languedoc-Rousillion AOC, and more specifically Corbières. There are other cool parts of the world working with Carignan as well, as this varietal needs heat to thrive. This expression of Carignan is from none other than Morocco. Carignan is similar to Zinfandel in a sense that you get loads of spice aromas, like cinnamon and hickory. Consider pairing Carignan with barbecued pork shoulder, or even smoked turkey.

BBQ WINE 4: SANGIOVESE (OR CHIANTI)

TRY: IL MOLINO DI GRACE CHIANTI CLASSICO $22.99 @ BEVMO

Take a trip down to Tuscany this Summer and enjoy this high-acid, high-tannin red wine. With loads of aromas of tomatoes, tobacco, leather, and smoke, Sangiovese is a great burger wine. Chianti is also a great option. For those who don’t know this, Chianti must be composed of a minimum of 80% Sangiovese from the Chianti Classico Wine Zone. Sangiovese’s higher acid cuts through fattier meats (and cheese if you’re planning on going the cheeseburger route.) Look for Sangiovese - or Chianti - with the abbreviation “IGT” on the bottle. If you remember my article on Wine Abbreviations, you’ll know that IGT means Indicazione Geografica Tipica, and typically you can find more affordable Italian wines within this category. Consider pairing Sangiovese with Carolina Mustard BBQ sauce as well, as the high acid of the wine complements the acidity of the mustard sauce. Delicious!