The Perfect Wines for BBQ Season, Four Bordeaux Wines to Elevate Every Summer Gathering

Summer has a way of bringing people together.

Long lunches become dinners, gardens turn into open air dining rooms, and the unmistakable aroma of food cooking over charcoal fills the air. Whether it is a relaxed family barbecue or an elegant evening with friends, the right wine transforms a great meal into an unforgettable experience.

Contrary to popular belief, barbecue is not only about bold red wines. Modern BBQ embraces fresh seafood, colourful vegetables, grilled poultry and vibrant salads, creating endless opportunities for food and wine pairings.

At Château Latour Monplaisir, each of our four wines offers a different expression of summer, making it easy to find the perfect bottle for every dish and every moment.

Odyssée, The Perfect Beginning

Every memorable barbecue starts long before the grill is ready.

As guests arrive and conversations begin, a chilled glass of white wine sets the tone for the afternoon.

Odyssée is our Bordeaux Blanc, crafted from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Elegant and layered, it combines notes of citrus, white fleshed fruit and delicate white flowers with a generous texture, vibrant minerality and subtle saline notes developed through ageing on fine lees.

What makes Odyssée so compelling is its dual personality. On one hand, it is crystalline and refreshing, almost oceanic in its precision. On the other, it has a soft, enveloping texture that gives it depth and gastronomic versatility. This balance allows it to elevate delicate dishes while still standing up to richer seafood preparations.

Food pairing ideas

• Oysters with shallot vinaigrette and lemon

• Grilled prawns with garlic, parsley and olive oil

• Sea bass en papillote with fennel and herbs

• Scallop carpaccio with citrus and sea salt

It is also exceptional with more unexpected pairings such as sushi, sashimi or lightly smoked salmon, where its saline tension enhances the purity of the fish.

Odyssée is the wine that captures the feeling of summer by the water, where every glass invites you to slow down.

Nymphéa, Summer in a Glass

Some wines instantly evoke sunshine.

Nymphéa is made for warm afternoons, relaxed lunches and colourful tables filled with seasonal ingredients.

Fresh, vibrant and beautifully balanced, its aromas of wild strawberries, redcurrants and delicate floral notes create an immediate sense of joy. What defines Nymphéa is its clarity of fruit and its refreshing structure, which makes it incredibly easy to drink while still offering real gastronomic interest.

As a Clairet, Nymphéa occupies a unique space between rosé and red wine. This gives it a slightly deeper colour, more texture and a subtle tannic presence that allows it to move beyond traditional rosé pairings. It is precisely this structure that makes it so versatile at the barbecue table, including with certain meats.

Food pairing ideas

• Grilled vegetable skewers with zucchini, peppers and eggplant

• Burrata with heirloom tomatoes, basil and olive oil

• Roast chicken with lemon and herbs

• Grilled duck breast with cherry glaze or red fruit sauce

It also works beautifully with lightly charred pork ribs or lamb chops, where its freshness cuts through the richness while its subtle structure supports the meat.

Nymphéa is equally at home during an elegant picnic, a garden party or a sunset aperitif. Light, joyful and effortlessly versatile, it celebrates everything we love about summer entertaining.

Lyra, The Versatile BBQ Red

Red wine and barbecue have always been natural companions. Yet the best pairing is not necessarily the most powerful wine.

Lyra offers generous black fruit, subtle liquorice notes and refined structure while maintaining remarkable freshness and balance. Its personality is expressive but never heavy, making it the ideal red for outdoor cooking where smoke, spice and caramelisation play a key role.

What defines Lyra is its ability to adapt. It has enough structure to complement grilled meats, but also enough freshness to avoid overwhelming more delicate flavours. It is a true “bridge wine” for the barbecue table.

Food pairing ideas

• Grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic

• Beef skewers with chimichurri sauce

• Gourmet burgers with caramelised onions and aged cheese

• Grilled portobello mushrooms with thyme and balsamic glaze

It also pairs surprisingly well with grilled sausages, marinated pork ribs or even smoky vegetable dishes, where its fruit-driven profile softens the intensity of the grill.

Lyra is the wine that brings everyone together around the table, from casual barbecue moments to more structured outdoor dinners.

Astéria, For the Most Memorable Evenings

Some occasions deserve a truly exceptional bottle.

Produced from our finest limestone parcel, Astéria reflects the depth and elegance of our terroir near Saint Émilion. Extended ageing in French oak brings complexity while preserving freshness, precision and balance.

Its aromas of ripe black fruits, violet, cocoa, graphite and fine spices unfold into a long, velvety finish that continues to evolve in the glass. Astéria is not just a wine of power, but a wine of detail, where every sip reveals a new layer of expression.

It is built for food with intensity, structure and depth, where the wine can match the complexity of the dish without being overshadowed.

Food pairing ideas

• Grilled côte de boeuf with sea salt and herbs

• Dry aged ribeye steak with pepper sauce

• Slow roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic

• Mature hard cheeses such as Comté or aged cheddar

It also shines with more refined barbecue dishes such as smoked duck breast or truffle-infused recipes, where its aromatic complexity finds perfect harmony.

Astéria is a wine made for conversations that last well after sunset.

Barbecue Is About More Than Food

The best barbecues are rarely remembered for a single recipe.

They are remembered for laughter around the table, the warmth of a summer evening, the sound of glasses coming together and the moments shared with family and friends.

Wine plays a unique role in creating these memories.

A crisp white enjoyed while the grill heats up. A refreshing Clairet accompanying colourful summer dishes and even certain grilled meats. A versatile red served alongside perfectly charred food. A more complex bottle opened as the evening quietly unfolds.

Every bottle tells a different story.

A Summer Worth Sharing

At Château Latour Monplaisir, we believe wine should never compete with the meal. Instead, it should enhance every flavour and every conversation.

From the freshness of Odyssée to the joyful character of Nymphéa, the versatility of

Lyra and the depth of Astéria, each wine has its own place around the summer table.

Because barbecue season is not simply about cooking outdoors.

It is about slowing down, gathering the people you love and creating memories that last long after the last glass has been poured.