Wine & Barbecue - A Perfect Wine & Food Match

It's safe to say that virtually 100% of Americans & Canadians are familiar with the barbecue and most can't wait to fire it up when the warm weather arrives. One of the best wine matches for barbequed foods is a Zinfandel but very few Canadians are aware of this versatile wine from California.

Did you know that almost 92% of Canadians who participated in a recent poll had never tried Zinfandel? Only 58% were sure that Zinfandel was even a type of wine and of those, less than 40% were aware Zinfandel was made in both red and white style.

"Zinfandel is the quintessential California wine and its natural affinity to barbecued foods, wide range of flavours and diverse styles, makes it the perfect partner at the grill this summer." says Rick Slomka, Canadian Director for the Wine Institute of California.

Here are some quick facts to clear up the confusion so everyone can discover this perfect-match-for-the-barbecue wine, just in time for summer.

• Zinfandel is known as California's heritage grape and was introduced during the Gold Rush somewhere between 1852 and 1857. California is the largest grower of Zinfandel. Today, Zinfandel is the fourth leading wine grape variety in California, with more than 50,000 acres planted, according to the 2004 California Grape Acreage Report.

• Wildly popular in the U.S., Zinfandel has inspired a cult-like following with fan clubs, annual events and a non-profit association, ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) to promote what many consider the original "California red." ZAP's online home, www.zinfandel.org, is a one-stop resource for all things Zinfandel.

• Zinfandel can range from a light, fruity blush wine to a strong red with ultra-intense pepper and jam. "Zin" is frequently blended with other grapes.

Red Zinfandel BBQ pairing suggestions:

There is just one Zinfandel grape, and depending on the winemaking techniques used, it can be made in a number of styles. When making "red" Zinfandel, the winemaker decides how long to let the juice remain in contact with the stems, seeds, and skins, which causes clear juice to assume the red colour.

Zinfandel can be crafted as a fine red table wine that can be aged for several years or enjoyed soon after bottled. It can range from a light, fruity red wine to a strong red with ultra-intense pepper and jam and is renowned as a great partner for grilled and herbed meats. Red Zinfandel should be served at room temperature.

Popular descriptors for this wine include blackberry, raspberry, boysenberry, cherry, as well as black pepper, cloves, anise and herbs. These characteristics make red Zinfandel a great partner for grilled and herbed meats.

• Grilled lamb chops
• Zinfandel marinated baby-back ribs
• Open-fire grilled pizza
• Chorizo sausages and hamburgers
• Roquefort, old cheddar, gruyere, emmenthaler, or blue vein cheeses

White Zinfandel BBQ pairing suggestions:

White Zinfandel is made from the same grape – its colour is pink because the juice only stays in contact with the skins for a short period of time. White Zinfandel is known for its sweet, fruity flavour and pretty pink colour. It's extremely versatile and can accompany a variety of foods while also great as an aperitif.

To craft White Zinfandel, grapes are picked early when sugar levels are low and colour is not too intense. Skins are separated from the juice immediately after crush. Fermentation is stopped before all the sugar is converted into alcohol, leaving residual sugar in wine and a relatively low 10 to 11 percent alcohol content.

This slightly sweet blush wine makes it a great partner for meats prepared in sweeter sauces or marinades. It's also a perfect aperitif or dessert wine.

• A variety of appetizers
• Honey-mustard glazed chicken
• Teriyaki and pineapple marinated ham or pork
• Desserts and fresh fruit
• Soft, mild cheeses