Seasonal Sipper: Zinfandel

A group of men and women raise glasses of red wine in a toast; the greenery of a vineyard is in the background

Sticky, smoky and sweet, baby back ribs are a staple of summer entertaining. While the thought of pork falling off the bone has many people reaching for a cold beer, there is a uniquely American red wine that pairs with low-and-slow barbeque like nothing else: Zinfandel.

Smoked ribs finished quickly over an open flame have a delicious charred and caramelized flavor that overpowers many other wines. Zin is bold and brash. Its ripe, fruity flavor and subtle smokiness bring out the flavor of the ribs beautifully. On the flip side, the spices used in BBQ rib sauces bring out the black pepper, cinnamon, smoke and chocolate flavors of Zinfandel, making the wine taste even better. A truly classic pairing, the wine and ribs bring out the best in each other.

Pick up a bottle of Zinfandel from one of our six Wine & Spirits shops and pair it with one of our seasonal barbeque recipes below.