2006-07-07
Which wines are best for barbecues?
Summer grilling triggers two types of wine in my mind. First there are the crisp, dry or semi-dry, white and rosé wines that really satisfy when served very chilled. You may not think of wine as necessarily a thirst quencher, but a refreshing white wine, like Pinot Grigio, and some dry rosé wines can actually be quite refreshing.
The other wine style that comes to mind for barbecues is richly flavored reds like Syrah, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah. The reason: barbecue sauce that usually smothers grilled chicken or ribs. I like the combination of the sweet and spicy flavor in the sauce with the full body and rich, dark fruitiness of these wines.
I’ve been a big fan of Syrah for the past few years but lately I have grown pretty fond of the Petite Sirah as well. Both wines have an exotic fruitiness with a spicy edge but the Petite Sirah has an additional boldness to it that can be jarring, but in a good way. Red Zinfandel is also a spicy fruit flavor that lends itself to summer grilling. Just keep in mind that these full-bodied red wines, in particular Zinfandel, tend to come with higher alcohol levels than the white wines and even many other red wines.
Of course, when it comes to wine and food I always state that your personal preference takes precedent over any suggestions I make. If you only drink Merlot, for example, then that’s what you should drink. But, if you’re in the mood to explore try something else once in a while.
As I have mentioned in the past, Pinot Noir is a good wine to serve when you need to satisfy many different palates even at a barbeque, and you want something safe. It can handle grilled fish and mild red meats served without rich sauces. Another is Beaujolais from France. It is light enough to go with summer salads (and can even be served slightly chilled) and filled with bright, cherry-like fruit. Great without food, too.
My recommendation for this week is:
RED:
Francis Coppola Presents Rosso Shiraz, California, 2004
Easy drinking at an easy price. Nicely balanced with tasty fruit, mild acidity and soft tannin. $11
St. Francis Syrah, Sonoma County, 2003
Defined blueberry and cherry notes give complexity and nuance. Maybe due to the mix of cool and warm climate sources for the grapes from Russian River and Sonoma Valleys, respectively. $19
WHITE:
Sterling Vineyards Vintner’s Collection Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast, 2005
The very pale straw color contrasts with its colorful quilt of fruit, mineral and herbal flavors and aromas. $11
Francis Coppola Presents Bianco Pinot Grigio, California, 2005
As comfortable and refreshing a wine as you can find at the price for the warm summer days on the patio. $11 Send your questions about wine to: wineologist@earthlink.net. © 2005 Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano. Wine writer, educator, and Certified Specialist in Wine by the Society of Wine Educators, Len Napolitano makes his home in the Paso Robles wine region, the heart of California’s Central Coast Wine Country.
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