Richard's Picks -- Zinfandels for Summer Grilling

If summer is time to stock up on charcoal and clean up the grill, it's also a great time to brace yourself for the bold, vivacious flavors of California's signature grape - Zinfandel. These ripe red wines can pack a wallop - in terms of flavor, body and alcohol.

Zin's ripe red berry and cherry fruit flavors are often laced with a peppery kick - a flavor profile that matches beautifully with the zesty, spicy kick of barbecue sauce, as well as complimenting all sorts of grilled meats, poultry and even seafood and veggies.

Here are a few Zinfandels we've particularly enjoyed lately, along with our recipe for Asian-inspired barbecued pork ribs that are finger-licking perfection with a big ripe Zin!

Asian Barbecued Spare Ribs
Serves 4 -- or more if served as an appetizer!

½ cup Chinese plum sauce
½ cup your favorite barbecue sauce
½ cup red wine
1 Tablespoon dark brown sugar
¼ cup Tablespoons honey
½ cup vegetable oil
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground ginger
2 lbs pork spareribs - ask your butcher to cut them in half if more than 6" long

In a large glass or ceramic pan, combine all ingredients except ribs; mix well. Add ribs and toss to coat well. Cover and marinate in refrigerator overnight.

Ribs can be cooked on the grill, for about 30 minutes, basting and turning, until done. Or transfer to flat baking sheets and roast in a 400F oven for about 45 minutes, basting and turning during cooking.

Clif Bar Family Winery 2005 Zinfandel Napa Valley Gary's Improv ($32). Yup, that Clif Bar. Nice - with pretty cassis and blackberry jam fruit accented with spice, chocolate and toast, staying polished through the smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Frank Family Vineyards 2005 Zinfandel Napa Valley ($35). Opulent blackberry and warm spice aromas introduce ripe blackberry and blueberry jam flavors laced with an array of warm spices, sweet tobacco, fig and a touch of cocoa, with a long, smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine 01/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Mazzocco 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Matrix ($45). Beautifully integrated and balanced, with blackberry and black cherry fruit laced with candied violet, spicy dark chocolate and cedar that build through the long, rich finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Mazzocco 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Pony ($27). Lovely, aromatic baking spices and violets accent pretty blackberry and plum jam fruit, with a lush, generous finish. Nice structure and balance, too. Ready to drink now and over the next three of four years. (Weekend Wine 01/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Mazzocco 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Maple ($36). Rich black cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors pick up creamy, toasted caramel, bittersweet chocolate and black pepper spice notes through the long finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine 01/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Mazzocco 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Smith Orchard Reserve ($40). Full bodied, with weighty blueberry and blackberry jam laced with healthy kicks of black pepper and alcohol, finishing with a touch of molasses. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Mazzocco 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley West Dry Creek Reserve ($40). Really liked, despite the substantial alcohol. With slick, sleek blackberry and cherry flavors that stay tangy and lively through the finish, picking up creamy chocolate and loads of pepper-spice. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Mazzocco 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Pony Reserve ($50). Lovely, ripe red cherry and berry fruit is layered with aromatic chocolate, mocha and baking spices, with a long, fine-grained finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Mazzocco 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Maple Reserve ($60). Deliciously smooth and ripe, with blueberry and black plum flavors and aromas laced with toasty vanilla, light spices and a touch of espresso that fold together beautifully on the lush, full, smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Sbragia Family 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Gino's Vineyard ($28). Intense blackberry and currant fruit stays polished through the long finish, picking up dried herbal notes, brown spices, smoke and pepper along the way. Lots of depth here. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Tamás Estate 2005 Zinfandel Livermore Valley ($15). Smooth and jammy, with plenty of cherry and berry fruit character alongside toasty oak. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Wilson Winery 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Ellie's Vineyard Old Vine ($32). Spicy pepper, smoke and tar accent dark plum and cherry fruit, picking up more baking spices through the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 03/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Wilson Winery 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Reserve ($40). Very nice, with layers of aromatic, ripe berry and juicy plum playing off deep chocolate, sweet tobacco, black pepper, toasted vanilla and warm spices. Folds into a full, ripe finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine 03/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.