Wine for Grilling

When the embers begin to whisper and the scent of grilled meat drifts through the warm summer evening, the moment calls for a wine that can keep pace: powerful, sun-ripened and full of character.

Kissed by Fire

Grilling is primal instinct and pure pleasure at once. The roasted aromas, the rendered fat, the smoky crust unfold an intensity that would shatter a delicate wine. What you need is an equal partner: a red with structure, ripe tannins and a fruit that can stand up to the heat of the grill. Only then do wine and meat enter a dialogue rather than a contest.

Power, Fruit and Mediterranean Warmth

The great grilling wines come from the sun-blessed corners of the world. Puglia's Primitivo brings velvety richness and notes of blackberry and liquorice. Argentina's Malbec, raised in the heights of the Andes, marries dark fruit with fine spice: the classic companion to steak. And the Venetian Amarone, made from partially dried grapes, sets its opulent exclamation mark on the grandest of evenings.

Our Picks from the Grill

• Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria – a Primitivo from old vines, dense and velvety, with aromas of stewed plum, cocoa and sweet tobacco. The ideal partner for spareribs and glazed chops.
• 1884 Malbec Mendoza – the Argentine classic from the heights of Mendoza: juicy dark fruit, velvety tannins, a hint of vanilla. Made for a rare entrecôte.
• Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG – the regal choice, made from dried grapes: powerful, layered, with notes of dried cherry and chocolate. For the grand grilling night with lamb or aged beef.

Food Pairing at the Grill

For hearty grilled beef and T-bone steaks, reach for the Malbec or Amarone: their tannins cut through the fat. Lamb and game love the spicy depth of the Amarone. Pork chops, spareribs and anything sticky-sweet and glazed pair beautifully with the soft fruit of the Primitivo. Grilled vegetables, aubergines and portobello mushrooms also find a warm companion in these wines.

The Right Way to Serve

Bold reds show their best between 16 and 18 degrees, a touch cooler than the balmy summer night. Open the bottle an hour ahead or decant the Amarone so it can open up. A large, generous glass does the rest, giving every sip more room to breathe.

Discover our selection of bold red wines for the perfect grilling evening. Free shipping from CHF 99 throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein.