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.

Len Napolitano lives in Central Coast wine country and is certified in wine by the Society of Wine Educators, Wine & Spirits Education Trust, and Chicago Wine School and continually gains knowledge from his frequent contact with California winemakers. More information is on his website, www.wineology.com . Send your questions about wine to: wineologist@earthlink.net or by mail to Len Napolitano in care of Wine Country This Week magazine. Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano.com