6 robust red wines for spring and summer barbecues

If you can’t wait to roll up your sleeves, get your pinny on and start prepping the barbecue, you’re not alone.

Blue skies, warm sunshine and longer days can conjure up thoughts of spicy marinades, skewered meats, and flipping burgers with tongs in one hand… and a glass in the other.

This perfectly paired selection of wines can help to make your outdoor meals a sizzling success…

1. Bodacious Vinho Regional Tejo 2023, Portugal, £6.75, Asda

With a majestic bull on the label and boujee name to illustrate the wine’s character, this easy-drinking red lives up to expectations. Deftly blended, touriga nacional and shiraz are in the mix; with swathes of blackberry and blackcurrant aromas, similar flavours unfold with the addition of jammy black fruit. Deliciously smooth and one for grilled sausages or pork ribs.

2. Co-op Old Vine Garnacha Campo De Borja 2024, Spain, £7, Co-op, in-store

A perennial favourite, this Spanish gem is geared towards barbecued meats with its juicy, sun-kissed, fruity flavours of rich berry fruits, dark cherry and hint of warm spice. Fragrant and juicy, we’re thinking charred chicken drumsticks with coleslaw and roasted veggies.

3. Fairview Barrel-aged Pinotage 2023, Western Cape, South Africa, £11, Waitrose Cellar

A palate primer, South Africa’s pinotage is a natural bedfellow for barbecue recipes with its smoky overtones, spice-laden fruit and deep flavours of blackberry and plums. Plush and ripe, with a touch of oak and note of clove spice on the finish, this is a great all-rounder… and perfect paired with anything meaty and chargrilled.

4. De Martino Legado Carménère 2024, Casablanca Valley, Chile, £13.75, (20% off when you buy six or more, now until April 24), Waitrose Cellar

Cited as the king of Chilean grapes, the country’s signature red grape variety is a go-to for its spicy, brambly fruit and cassis, hints of green pepper, herbs; with peppery overtones, supple tannins and lasting finish. Delicious from word go, this top drop from leading producer De Martino stands out for its succulence and sheer drinkability. A winner with barbecue ribs or herb-crusted lamb chops.

5. Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2024, Mendoza, Argentina, £14, Tesco

A driving force for the mighty malbec, you know you’re onto a winner when you crack open a bottle from award-winning producer, Zuccardi. This one’s beautifully fragrant with violet-scented fruit, generous with vibrant blackcurrant, plums and raspberry flavours galore, spiced cherry, chocolate notes, leading to a velvety smooth, long finish. Bring on a steak.

6. Wynns The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2022, Australia, £16, Tesco

A knockout red from this cult Coonawarra producer, this rich, smooth cabernet offers characteristic minty notes, fragrant, ripe blueberry and blackberry fruit, flashes of eucalyptus, an elegant complexity, velvety smooth tannins and a long, balanced finish. Impressive with barbecued lamb.