5 Canadian White Wines to Pour at Your Next Barbecue
Red wines have been a longstanding, tried and true pairing for summer barbecue season. Juicy steak and Angus beef burgers have us grabbing glasses of Cabernet Franc and Syrah as a balanced drink of choice, but white wines are a seriously underrated match for modern summer grilling. Especially as temperatures climb and heat waves are upon us, the fresh acidity, crisp, and mineral-driven profiles of Canadian white wines pair effortlessly with those smokey, lighter proteins. These five cool-climate Canadian bottles prove that on hot days, white wines belong at the barbecue!
KEW Vineyards Marsanne Viognier 2024
Sourced from KEW Vineyards’ prized old vines on the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation comes this Marsanne and Viognier cuvee that is a dry, full-bodied white wine that receives an 18-month French oak barreling treatment. Concentrated aromas and flavours of wildflowers, anjou pear, buttercream, and honey. A rich and creamy mouthfeel reveals an appetizing citric acidity and salinity that weaves about on the palate rings through on a lengthy finish.
Pair it with…
Chicken and Grilled Peach Medley
Chop grilled chicken bites, grilled peaches and seared tomatoes. Add finely chopped basil. Drizzle with mixture of 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp. lemon juice, and 1 tbsp honey. Salt and pepper to taste.
The honeyed notes in the wine match nicely with the glaze, and the texture is well-matched for chicken. Consider adding sliced red onion, chopped garlic, or feta for extra flavour.
This wine pours deep gold and showcases a complex nose of walnut, caramel, nectarine and macintosh apples. Full-bodied and a gloriously textured mouthfeel delivers warm oak notes with vanilla and whispers of nutmeg and cloves. Ripe pineapple and mango flavours add a tropical touch to round out a creamy palate before revealing a soft, toasted element that will have this bottle pairing perfectly with chicken straight off the grill.
Pair it with…
Cedar Plank Salmon & Grilled Corn
Add salt and pepper to both sides of salmon. Coat in mixture of 6 tbsp Dijon mustard and 6 tbsp of maple syrup, and grill on cedar plank over medium heat.
The body of this Chardonnay compliments the fish’s natural oils, and the oaky notes pair well the smoky, cedar flavours of this cooking method. Plus, corn and Chardonnay always make for an easy pairing!
This Blanc de Franc that’s part of Inniskillin ‘Discovery Series’ is a sustainable-certified, single-vineyard Cabernet Franc derived from the Seeger Vineyard in the Niagara River sub-appellation. Exuberant aromatics of raspberry, carnations, and mandarin lead to an equally showy palate that boasts complexity and precision, giving it that immediate ‘wow’ factor. Crisp, citrus and dried herb flavours are underpinned by a bed of mouthwatering minerality, both of which carry out on an extensive finish.
Pair it with…
Herbed porkchops or Pork Skewers
Cube pork pieces. Melt 1 cup of butter, add finely chopped rosemary and thyme. Toss mixture in bowl with pork, add to skewers with veggies
Ontario Cab Franc often contains dried herb flavours that make it a good match for herbed meats like pork, but also local produce that can otherwise be difficult to pair.
A vivacious, tropical nose of pineapple, mango, and guava will have you eager to dive into this Niagara Sauvignon Blanc from the Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve collection. The aromas are reflected on a moderately supple palate in an equally vibrant display, coupled with a well-balanced, juicy acidity. There’s a fine vein of cool minerality to be noted that echoes on a refreshing finish.
Pair it with…
Shrimp and Asparagus
Stack shrimp on a skewer, brush with butter and lightly salt. Lay your fresh garden herbs atop the shrimp for the last few minutes of grilling. Cilantro and dill work nicely here.
Seafood and Sauvignon Blanc are the ultimate summer pairing. The grapes’ fresh green notes effortlessly match bright, fresh herbs and greens too. Use this Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc that contains a weightier mouthfeel to compliment that barbecue flare.
Enjoy seafood? You’ll LOVE this Shrimp Fiesta Bowl & white wine pairing in THIS ARTICLE.
Inniskillin Single Vineyard Montague Riesling 2024
This certified sustainable Riesling comes from the Four Mile Creek sub-appellation of Niagara. Off-dry, but any sweetness is whisked away by a piercing acidity that drives a pristine, mineral palate edged with notes of lemon and pineapple. Exceptionally bright and juicy with a textural, wet-stone-like essence on a lip-smacking finish.
Pair it with…
Gourmet Sausage Dogs
Mild or spicy sausages work for this wine pairing. Throw them on the grill along with sliced onions or honeyed leeks. Use other add-ons like feta, Swiss cheese, agave, pickled peppers, or chopped spicy dill pickles to elevate the hot dog.
Riesling’s natural acidity and sweetness lend itself to a wide variety of foods, making it the perfect choice for a multi-flavoured dog. This Inniskillin Riesling offers a cool sip that stands up to spicey flavours too, so don’t be afraid to turn up the heat.
Riesling lover? Check out the latest Riesling reviews here.
With such a diverse selection of white wines to choose from across our national wine landscape, it’s worth tasting a few different Canadian white wines each time you fire up the grill to find what pleases your palate the most and find the ultimate BBQ wine pairings. Canadian white wine pairing with barbecue fare can be delightfully experimental, endlessly fun, and surprisingly versatile — and keeping it local has never been easier or more rewarding!
Sponsored by Great Estates Niagara.
