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BBQ wines 101: "Zin"fuse wine on the grill this season

Families are warming up their barbecues for another eagerly anticipated grilling season. Here are some of the latest trends from California Wine Country, the birthplace of modern outdoor entertaining, to incorporate wine into summer gatherings.

"Zin"fuse Wine into Barbecued Fare:

One of the hottest trends in wine country is to infuse wine into marinades and sauces to give grilled meats an added dose of flavour. Using wine in recipes enhances the pairing and guests will be impressed with the results.

Zinfandel, known as California's heritage grape and a natural partner for barbecued fare, is one of the most versatile wine styles and is a perfect wine to incorporate into a barbecue sauce or marinade. Although a red wine grape, Zinfandel is also known as a slightly sweet pink wine called White Zinfandel. Both styles are ideal for summer fun.

"With barbecuing season here, there is no better match than a great Zin paired with spicy, grilled foods," says Rick Slomka, Canadian Director of the Wine Institute of California. "Zinfandels are approachable, easy-drinking reds that reflect the casual, informal appeal of an al fresco get-together."

Red Zinfandels are typically dry and match with a wide variety of foods - especially grilled meats like BBQ ribs, hamburgers and chorizo sausages.

Create a BBQ Wine Station for Ultimate Experimentation:

Guests love to get involved, so encourage participation and experimentation by setting up a Zinfandel wine bar where guests can experiment with this grape's diversity and discover their favourite Zin and BBQ combination.

Be sure to stock up on a diverse selection of red Zinfandels, which are available in light to full-bodied wine styles. These California reds tend to be fruity and food-friendly - perfect for the informal style of outdoor entertaining. Also include White Zinfandel, a rose wine style, which is a great aperitif and gives guests another interesting option when trying out different wine and food combinations. The Wine Institute of California's website - www.calwine.ca - is a great resource of more information about California wines.

Once wines are chosen, set up your wine bar outside in a shaded area with easy access. Open up a few bottles so guests feel at liberty to try a variety of styles, set out some glasses and your guests will take it from there!