The summer is a popular time for grilling and smoking our foods. Anything that allows you to be outside is good, right? These cooking methods add a ton of flavor to dishes, which we can all agree is the point. However, adding these intense flavors means the same wines we would normally pair may not fit the bill. You know what that means… a whole new world of wine and food pairing opportunities.

Grilling (particularly meats) adds somewhat of a bitter taste while smoking adds a sweet and smoky element. Consider this, a roasted chicken breast would most commonly pair well with a lighter white such as Vidal Blanc or Catawba, whereas the toastiness of a grilled chicken breast would be complimented exceptionally by an oaky Chardonel. The same dish, prepared two different ways opens up the pairing possibilities.

Did you know that in Georgia (the country) there’s an incredibly popular dish called shashlik (which essentially just means smoked meat) that is smoked over grape vines? And they’re not the only ones. Smoking with grape vines has a fairly large following in the world of smoking connoisseurs. A couple things to note: Grape vines should be added sparingly if you’re new to smoking with them. They add a fruity flavor, but too many can add a tart component as well. So, until you’ve found the level of tart that is right for you, take it slow. Other flavors can be obtained by soaking the vines in wine, beer or tea prior to smoking.

If you’re more of a griller than a smoker, don’t forget the sauces play a large part in the overall taste profile you achieve. Often the sauces dominate the dish. Here’s a handy guide for pairing wines and sauces. Grilling often imparts a charred taste that can be mirrored nicely by the bitter edge of tannins found in bold red wines such as Norton.

So, when you’re grilling and smoking this season, play with your wine and food pairings, keeping in mind that the dish itself is but a small part of the equations. (The great thing about this equation… there’s no wrong answer!) If you need a good place to start, check out the new Missouri Wines food pairing guide.

Missouri Wine pairs well with food (no matter how you prefer to cook it)!