Wine for bbq pork spare ribs

Sorry - I think your friend is right! Or go for a lager.

rose, without a second thought, portuguese rose

I think the Cab & Shiraz might be a little too "big' for barbecued ribs.Maybe if the ribs are heavily smoked or heavily sauced with a savory sauce. But pork itself can be a little sweet and ribs are often sauced with something on the sweet side. I think that might fight with the wines, especially the Cab, which might taste tannic. Some Shiraz will work; others may be a bit much.

For a red, I'd look for something softer and a bit fruity. A Shiraz blend, for example or a Merlot. Pinot Noir maybe, but that isn't necessarily a wine for a barbecue. Sometimes stuff called "red table wine" can be a good choice, but you have to already know the wine--if you don't, it might turn out to be plonk. I'm not very familiar with Australian wines, especially blends, but i'm sure a good wine shop will know if you ask for "something soft & fruity to go with barbecued ribs."

Rosé would be good, but I'd make sure it's dry, not the cheap sweet stuff.

For whites, if the pork is sauced or glazed with something spicy, you could try Gewurztraminer. Pinot Gris/Pino Grigio might also work with a less spicy sauce. Again, something a bit fruity, but not sweet. I'd certainly try to include a white for people who just don't like reds.

ROSE

Beer.

But shiraz doesn't sound bad to me. "Soft" doesn't sound right. You want something you'll be able to taste in between bites of ribs & sauce.

Yeah, maybe "soft" isn't the right word. I was just thinking of something not as big and tannic as some Cabs or Zins (I am not sure about Australian Zins or if it's even popular there.) But "fruity" gives you something to taste around the ribs, as long as the wine isn't too sweet. A berry-ish Zin would work, but there are others that I think would be awful. Malbec would work.

But I still think a blend might be better than a single varietal.

There's always sparking wine.

. . . and beer.

As much as I like wine and ribs, I'd have to go with beer. A nice Hefeweizen would go well if the ribs are spicy or a lager if they're not.

Yeah. Beer. I was making wine suggestions, but it's ribs 'n' beer. Maybe lemonade for the kids & teetotalers. American lemonade--lemon juice diluted with water & sweetened. Maybe ice tea for the adults, but that doesn't sit right with me. Or Coke, I guess.