Pop the bubbles and fire up the grill—because BBQ season deserves a little sparkle. I’ve paired some of my favourite sparkling wines and bubbly cocktails with flame-kissed dishes straight from ELLE Gourmet Canada and the talented chefs we work with. From grilled meats to charred veg and even dessert, these pairings keep things fresh, flavour-packed, and just a little fizzy.
You can pair sparkling rosé with almost anything
If there’s a wine style made for summer, it’s rosé. But if there’s a wine that makes even a Tuesday feel like a party? That’s sparkling. Put the two together and you’ve got a glass that goes with just about everything—especially BBQ.
As a Canadian always dodging any mention of cold weather, I cling to sparkling rosé like it’s a lifeline to sunshine. And in my books, it’s the most “pairable” style out there.
Cono Sur Sparkling Rosé with Grilled Patty Pan Squash Salad
This Chilean Pinot Noir sparkler is all about brightness and fruit—gooseberry, raspberry, cherry, and citrus with a clean, mineral finish. Made using the Charmat method in the cool-climate Bio Bio Valley, it’s fresh and delicate, with just enough weight to stand up to grilled vegetables.
With Emily Kichler’s grilled patty pan squash salad—charred squash, salty feta, fresh oregano, lemon dressing, and toasted pine nuts—you get a beautiful balance of smoky, savoury, and creamy that the wine lifts and lightens. It’s a perfect duo for summer nights and sunset dinners. The best part? This bottle is a super affordable sparkling rosé—ideal for a big, shareable dish like this. And when you’re hosting, a couple of bottles never go to waste.
13th Street Winery Cuvée Rosé NV and Grilled T-Bone Steak with Chili and Coffee Rub
This Niagara classic is a dry, elegant sparkling rosé with vivid berry fruit, zesty citrus, and a creamy mousse. Made using the Traditional Method—where bubbles form naturally through a second fermentation in bottle—it’s a blend of 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir. Expect layers of raspberry, lemon peel, cream, and warm spice. And yes—it’s surprisingly perfect with steak.
The bold coffee-chili rub on a seared T-bone adds smoky depth and heat, while the wine’s bright acidity and fine bubbles cut through the richness with ease. Classic meets unexpected—proof that sparkling rosé doesn’t have to stay in the brunch lane. Bonus: it’s currently on sale at the LCBO, and you can find it at Costco too—making it all the more worth grabbing a bottle (or two).
Bottega Il Vino Dei Poeti Rosé and BBQ Grilled Salmon Sandwiches
This is true Prosecco—made in northern Italy under the Venezia DOC, and it brings everything you want in a sparkling rosé: bright strawberry and raspberry, a little citrus zip, soft florals, and a creamy, easygoing mousse. It’s dry, fresh, and just fruity enough to play nicely with food. I especially love pairing this sparkling rosé with BBQ-glazed salmon sandwiches, layered up with lemon aioli, crispy pancetta, and fresh cucumber. The wine’s bubbles lift the sweetness of the glaze, cut through the richness, and keep everything tasting light and vibrant.
And here’s the bonus—Bottega’s also doing the work on sustainability. The winery aligns its operations with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, using renewable energy, water recirculation, organic vineyards, and eco-conscious packaging. It’s a great bottle to crack open on the patio—and one you can feel good about pouring, too.
Drea’s Cuvée Rosé Brut and Masala Street Corn
Andrea Kaiser’s tribute to her father is a beautifully expressive sparkling rosé made from Niagara-grown Pinot Noir. Crafted in the Charmat method and aged briefly on the lees, it’s designed to let the fruit shine front and centre. On the nose, you’ll find cherry, violets, and a hint of cotton candy. The palate is bone dry, with bright acidity and a silky mousse that gives the wine both freshness and texture. It’s got that playful, fruit-forward edge but stays grounded in structure and balance—something Andrea’s winemaking consistently nails.
Drea’s Cuvée Rosé Brut shines when it’s paired with spice-forward dishes like this masala street corn recipe. Fresh corn on the cob is charred and brushed with butter, lime juice, chili, cumin, garlic, and amchur for a bold and nostalgic take on BBQ corn. It’s one of those BBQ wine pairings that feels unexpected at first but just works—bright, juicy, and full of summer energy.
