Pairings | Tuscany

What's the best match for a barbecue?
Should it be wine or beer - or even a cocktail? Last year I asked the Twitter community what their favourite barbecue bevvy was and this is what they came up with . . .
@HarryReginald covered all the options with his prescription:
On a hot day: bubbly, followed by bubbly and then some Chenin and a solid Pinot. Or simply cold, hoppy, beers.
There was a fair amount of support for Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz like Peter Lehmann Black Queen, Rockford Black, Majella - especially with chargrilled and marinated meats and ribs @nywines. @robertgiorgione @rovingsommelier agreed
And for light reds . . .
Lightly chilled Austrian Zweigelt/Blaufrankisch @robertgiorgione
Chilled Beaujolais like Brouilly and other Gamay @scandilicious @goodshoeday (if the BBQ is not too spicy @spicespoon)
Cold Valpolicella Allegrini @Lardis
Leg of lamb with juicy, chilled Loire Cab Franc @foodwinediarist
How about a nice juicy Grenache w/ bbq foods? Not too heavy for hot weather. @TheWineyard
but not much for more full-bodied reds except for @HawksmoorLondon who tipped Super Tuscan wines with chargrilled steak
A couple mentioned whites, especially with fish
Hunter Valley Semillon and oysters @SomeSomm @DanSims (not typical UK barbie fare but a great idea)
Catalan Grenache Blanc with grilled sardines and red peppers @foodwinediarist
Others went in a more aromatic direction
Hilltop Estates Cserszegi from @thewinesociety with home made piri piri BBQ chicken @LouiseHerring
Chicken brochette in the Pakistani manner with Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris @SpiceSpoon
A nice crisp chilled wine like an Alsace Riesling for me @eatlikeagirl @aforkful. @scandilicious agreed: "nice Riesling or Grüner Veltliner w/BBQ fish or prawns"
Surprisingly few went for rosé, one of my own BBQ favourites
Dry rosé like Chapel Down (with butterflied lamb) @goodshoeday - although she also mentioned Peronelles, a kir-like blush cider from Aspalls
There were other fans of cider
Ashridge Devon cider @BistroWineMan
I do like cider at a bbq - its a good gutsy match to bacon rolls which are another bbq must have! @KateWild
But far more fans of beer
Beer fizzy and cold from my shed fridge @crownbrewerstu
BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, CIDER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER @MelissaCole
What matches caramelised and charred BBQ flavours better than roasted malt flavours? Got to be beer everytime! @WBandBEER
I'm liking dark beers with BBQs at the mo - BrewDog Zeitgeist, a decent Dark Mild, a porter, all served cold @markdredge. @HawksmoorLondon suggested Porter too.
Chimay for a spicy BBQ @spicespoon and Rodenbach Grand Cru for BBQd meats @scandilicious
@Hoegaarden @goodshoeday
not a #twitmatch but a #twecipe-Young's Bitter & Ginger marinade 4 bbq'd spatchcocked poussin @jo_dring
A couple mentioned cocktails (another personal favourite, especially margaritas and rum punches)
Jugs of Bloody Marys @rovingsommelier
A remojito (fino or manzanilla topped up w soda water, mint leaves, ice and lemon) @taralstevens (love the sound of this)
and @bluedoorbakery just went for sherry
@aforkful came up with a great non-alcoholic option: "try this delicious cordial if staying off the booze"
There was even a recommendation for ‘cool water’ from @howardggoldberg (the first - and I hope not the last - #twitmatch linked to a song)
Thanks all, for the great ideas.

What food to pair with Vin Santo?
No visit to Tuscany is complete without a glass of Vin Santo or ‘holy wine’, a (usually) sweet wine that is served at the end of the meal, almost always with hard little ‘cantucci’ biscuits.
It’s left undisturbed for several years in small barrels which gives it a slight ‘rancio’ (oxidised) character which sounds unpleasant but actually gives the wine balance and ‘bite’, preventing it from being over-sickly.
It struck me as I was sipping it that it would be a good partner for many other foods, though when I ventured this to my Italian hosts, the LoFranco family of Fattoria la Vialla they looked at me as if I was mad. But if you have a bottle in the house why on earth not experiment?
I would say Vin Santo resembles more in style fortified wines such as sherry, tawny port and particularly Madeira than other dessert wines so try the following matches:
- Blue cheese (especially Gorgonzola)
- High quality dark chocolate bars
- Nut-based tarts such as walnut tart and pecan pie - and Italian-style chestnut cake
- Tiramisu
- Panforte and other dense cakes made with dried fruit
- Mince pies
- Rich pâtés such as duck liver pâté - and seared foie gras if you eat foie gras (which I don’t).
Image © YRABOTA at shutterstock.com
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