BBQ + Wine: Summer Pairings with Painted Rock Red Icon 2021


2021 Painted Rock Estate Grown Red Icon - Kascadia Wine Merchants

Summer has a rhythm all its own: smoky grills, long evenings, friends gathered around the table, and a glass of red wine that somehow tastes even better outdoors.

For this quarter's Wine Club Collection, we centered our inspiration around one timeless pairing: BBQ + Wine.

And leading the lineup is the Painted Rock Red Icon 2021, a bold and beautifully layered Okanagan Valley blend with notes of blackberry, cassis, dark cherry, cracked pepper, cocoa, and savory herbs. It's the kind of wine that shines beside flame-kissed food and relaxed summer entertaining.

Why Red Icon Works So Well with BBQ

Painted Rock Red Icon has the structure and depth to stand up to grilled meats, smoky flavors, and warming spices, while still offering enough elegance for lingering conversation long after dinner ends.

Think:

  • Charred edges

  • Herbaceous sauces

  • Black pepper and spice rubs

  • Rich cheeses and cured meats

  • Roasted vegetables with a little sweetness from the grill

Below are five easy, crowd-friendly pairings perfect for backyard gatherings and summer wine nights.

1. Grilled Rosemary Burgers with Aged Cheddar

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This is the ultimate casual-luxury pairing. The smoky beef and aged cheddar amplify the wine's dark fruit and peppery notes.

Why It Works

The richness of grilled beef mirrors the wine's structure, while rosemary and cheddar highlight its savory complexity.

Quick Recipe

  • 1½ lbs ground beef

  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • 4 slices aged cheddar

  • 4 brioche buns

Mix beef with rosemary, salt, and pepper. Form into patties and grill 4–5 minutes per side. Add cheddar during the last minute, toast buns, and serve with arugula or Dijon mustard.

Pairing Note

The Red Icon's blackberry, spice, and silky texture make this pairing feel far more elevated than your average burger night.

2. Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Chimichurri

Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Chimichurri Sauce - Jessica Gavin

A simple steak with bright herb sauce creates a perfect balance between richness and freshness.

Why It Works

Flat iron steak has bold beefy flavor, while chimichurri adds acidity and herbs that complement the wine's cassis and sage notes.

Quick Recipe

  • 1½ lbs flat iron steak

  • Salt and black pepper

  • Olive oil

  • Chimichurri (parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, chili flakes)

Season steak generously and grill over high heat for 4–6 minutes per side. Rest, slice thinly, and spoon chimichurri over top.

Pairing Note

The herbaceous sauce lifts the wine's savory side, while the grilled steak deepens its smoky character.

3. BBQ Beef Short Rib Sliders

Mariano’s

Perfect for gatherings and wine nights where people are grazing and refilling glasses.

Why It Works

Slow-cooked beef short ribs bring richness and tenderness, while smoky BBQ sauce echoes the wine's cocoa and spice notes.

Quick Recipe

  • 2 lbs beef short ribs

  • BBQ sauce

  • Slider buns

  • Pickles and crispy onions (optional)

Season ribs, slow-cook until tender, shred, and toss with BBQ sauce. Serve on slider buns with pickles and crispy onions.

Pairing Note

This is a bold-on-bold pairing: smoky, savory, and deeply satisfying with the Red Icon's concentrated fruit and structure.

4. Steak Tacos with Roasted Peppers

Rockin' Chimichurri Steak Tacos Recipe - Pinch of Yum

A fun, shareable option that brings a little spice to the table.

Why It Works

The wine's pepper and dark berry notes complement grilled steak and sweet roasted peppers beautifully.

Quick Recipe

  • 1 lb flank or skirt steak

  • 2 roasted bell peppers, sliced

  • Small tortillas

  • Lime wedges and cilantro

  • Chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper

Season steak with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Grill 3–4 minutes per side, slice thinly, and serve in tortillas with roasted peppers, cilantro, and lime.

Pairing Note

The slight spice and smoky peppers bring out the wine's warming spice and dark cherry character.

5. Charcuterie Board with Aged Cheddar, Salami & Marcona Almonds

Elegant charcuterie board composition featuring assorted cheeses, cured meats, walnuts, dried cranberries, breadsticks, olives, and red jelly, paired with two glasses of red wine

No grill required, but every bit as impressive for summer entertaining.

Why It Works

Aged cheddar and salami highlight the wine's savory depth, while Marcona almonds add richness and texture.

Build the Board

Include:

  • Aged cheddar

  • Salami or soppressata

  • Marcona almonds

  • Olives

  • Dried cherries or figs

  • Crackers or baguette slices

Pairing Note

This pairing lets the Red Icon evolve in the glass, revealing layers of blackberry, cocoa, tobacco, and spice over time.

The Kascadia Summer Takeaway

The best summer pairings are not overly complicated. They're about balance, atmosphere, and choosing wines that enhance the moment.

Whether you're grilling burgers on a Tuesday night or hosting a backyard soirée with friends, Painted Rock Red Icon 2021 is a versatile, crowd-pleasing red that brings warmth, depth, and a little luxury to the table.

Serve It Best

  • Serve slightly below room temperature (around 60–65°F)

  • Pair with smoky, savory, or spice-driven dishes

  • Let the conversation linger as long as the bottle does

Cheers to summer grilling, bold reds, and unforgettable evenings.

— VJ & The Kascadia Wine Merchants Team 🍷