Rosé Wine… The Best Friend of Barbecue Grills !
- Xavier Courpotin
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Fire, embers, and a glass of rosé… What else?
The sun is blazing, the sizzle of sausages tickles your eardrums, and that smoky aroma… Oh my, that smell! It screams summer, friends, and the magic of a barbecue. But wait… what’s in your glass ?
If your answer is a heavy red wine that knocks you out or, even worse, "nothing at all," STOP! It's time to rethink your BBQ game and bring in THE wine that brings everyone together: rosé, obviously. And not just any rosé !
At On The Cusp, we’ve crafted THE perfect rosé for these moments! When the meat sizzles, the veggies caramelize, and let’s be honest, a fresh glass of wine becomes as essential as the coals themselves.
On the menu: why rosé is the ultimate BBQ wingman, how to choose the right one based on what’s on your grill, and most importantly, how to impress your guests as a food-and-wine pairing expert (without even trying).
Why is Rosé the Rockstar of the Barbecue ?
A wine that refreshes rather than overwhelms
You’ve been there - that moment when you take a sip of red wine under 95°F, and your body screams for help ? Never again. Rosé is like built-in air conditioning. Served between 46-54°F, it instantly cools you down and wakes up your taste buds instead of knocking them out.
A flavor chameleon, ready for anything
Whether you’re on team meat, sausages, or ribeye, or more into grilled shrimp skewers and veggies, rosé adapts like a true oenological ninja. With its notes of red berries, flowers, and sometimes a hint of spice, it flatters the palate and elevates your BBQ feast. Bonus: it tones down the smoky barbecue flavor rather than overwhelming it.
Less fuss, more fun
Unlike red wine, which always insists on playing the fancy aristocrat (decanting, tannins, serious attitude), rosé is the people's wine. No need to overthink it, it flows effortlessly from appetizer to dessert, pleases everyone, and most importantly, it doesn’t steal the spotlight from your BBQ. Instead, it makes it shine.
And if you really want to impress, pour a glass of On The Cusp, our rosé, The Wine4Friends, designed for ultimate BBQ vibes. Fun fact: this wine was born from a barbecue among friends! It’s not too serious, not too light, just perfectly fresh, with aromas of clementine, pomelo, and a spicy kick to tickle your taste buds on the finish.
The Right Rosé for Every BBQ
First things first: rosé can be enjoyed throughout the entire BBQ meal, so no need to stress about switching wines. Just make sure you’ve got enough ice to keep it chilled !
At the aperitif
Pair it with Italian antipasti or a good tapenade (from French Languedoc, of course) on garlicky croutons. Way better than boring peanuts. But hey, if you like those, no judgment from On The Cusp.
White meats (chicken, turkey, marinated pork) – Softness meets freshness
Go for a fruity, tangy rosé (hello Côtes de Provence and Languedoc!). Notes of strawberry, grapefruit, and peach enhance the tenderness of marinated white meats.
Ultimate pick: A glass of On The Cusp, with the perfect balance between freshness and character, thanks to its sun-drenched limestone terroir in the French Languedoc-Roussillon—the other Mediterranean gem of France.
Red meats (beef, lamb, spicy sausages) – Bold and powerful
For these, you need a structured rosé wine that can hold its own against the strong flavors of ribeye or spicy sausages. Tavel and Bandol are solid choices, with more body and spice.
Want to step outside the usual picks ? Try On The Cusp, served extra fresh. Its light yet assertive structure and beautiful minerality make it a dream with spicy Catalan sausages, a Roussillon specialty. And trust us, your beef skewers won’t complain either.
Fish & seafood – Freshness and elegance
Grilled fish ? A dream with a lively, mineral rosé like a Sancerre rosé. It balances the iodine notes of the fish without overpowering them.
Pro tip: A glass of On The Cusp to give your grilled shrimp a bit of color. They’ll thank you for it.
Grilled veggies & veggie dishes – The unexpected match
A floral, light rosé (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault) works wonders with grilled vegetables. Think roasted eggplants with a touch of young blue cheese.
The top pick ? On The Cusp, which wraps your veggies in just the right amount of peppery goodness.
Cheese – The eternal debate
The usual dilemma: red or white ? Well, we settle it with rosé! On The Cusp pairs perfectly with fresh goat cheeses like Sainte-Maure de Touraine. Prefer a Chinon or Saumur rosé ? No problem, we don’t judge. But trust us, On The Cusp with any blue cheese, really is a game-changer.
Insider experience: We tested it with a Roquefort from near the Cirque de Navacelles, deep in the Hérault canyon between the Larzac and the Cévennes. Unreal way to end a BBQ.
The bottle:
A magnum, of course—always more generous, festive, and sociable. Makes you the king of the party, too.
Ideal temperature: 46-54°F. But hey, if you like it colder… you do you! (Just maybe not "three hours in the sun on the table" cold.)
Wine glass: A tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromas. So yes, a real glass, not plastic or cardboard… unless you’re a fast-food enthusiast.
Timing: Open the bottle 15 minutes before serving, and voilà, the magic happens.
Need maximum freshness ? Dive into a rosé piscine On The Cusp, a big balloon glass, tons of ice, instant chill.
Want to go even further ? Try one of our cocktails, the OTC Strawberry Spritz, for an "Apérorosé" full of freshness and sunshine in every sip.
A BBQ without rosé… is like a suitcase without a handle !
By now, you get it—rosé is the GOAT of barbecues, from aperitif to dessert. Fresh, versatile, and ultra-friendly, it’s the one wine that never lets you down.
So next time you fire up the grill, grab a magnum of On The Cusp and treat yourself. Your barbecue won’t believe it… but your guests will. And they’ll be back sooner than you think.
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