Ryan O'Connell of NakedWines.com is convinced that wine is becoming more and more of a tailgate drink.
We spoke with Ryan O'Connell at NakedWines.com and learned why wine is the perfect drink to pair with classic barbecue dishes.
Overall, O'Connell said the main reason to choose wine is its versatility.
"There's just so much variety in the different kinds of wines you can get in every market in the US," O'Connell said.
For the summer months, he recommends lighter, tangier, and juicier wines that don't break the bank.
"Don't be intimidated into thinking you have to spend $30 on a bottle of wine for it to be good. You can get really good bottles of barbecue wine for a lot less than that if you know where to look for a deal," O'Connell said.
And regardless of your wine expertise, O'Connell breaks down his recommendations into this simple idea: "If you drink the wine you like with the food you like and the people you like, and you're bound to have a good time."
Below we determined the ideal wines to pair with your favorite grilled foods.
This story was originally published by Food & Wine.