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Forbes
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Zinfandel And BBQ: A Match Made In Grilling Heaven
With the summer heat in full stride and barbecue grills fired up, many people reach for a cold beer rather than wine. However, it turns out that Zinfandel is the ideal wine to pair with hundreds of BBQ dishes for several surprising reasons. So, enjoy a beer while you grill, but savor a glass of Zinfandel at the table with your meal. 'Zinfandel is a natural with the grill, because its vivid red fruit and warm spice cuts through smoky, charred flavors while complementing sweet-savory sauces and marinades. And, this versatility means it can harmonize with anything from grilled salmon or vegetable skewers to a juicy ribeye,' said Rebecca Robinson, Executive Director of the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP), in an online interview. Zinfandel Wine: Smooth, Jammy and Spicy If you've never tasted zinfandel wine, then you are in for a treat, because it is a very approachable smooth smooth-tasting red wine. Many people enjoy it because it has rich fruity flavors of mixed berries (raspberry, cherry, blackberry, marionberry) and spice, such as cinnamon, allspice, and pepper. Some Zinfandels even taste like berry jam, but with the delightful heat of around 14% alcohol on the finish, and a touch of acidity to cleanse the palate between bites of BBQ. 'What many people don't realize is that it is OK to chill your zinfandel wine,' said Rebecca, 'especially on hot summer nights, pop your bottle in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before serving.' She said that the light chill brightens the fruit, tempers the spice, and makes each sip even more refreshing—especially alongside grilled fare. 'Aim for around 55–60°F so you keep all the aroma and texture while adding a refreshing edge,' she added. If it is a cooler evening, then serve the zinfandel at room temperature. And don't worry about fancy wine glasses at your outside table that might break. Though Zinfandel is snazzy enough to be served in crystal wine glasses (there are some very expensive Zinfandels that are worth checking out – see list at the end), it is also casual enough to serve in a plastic cup. In fact, in Lodi, California, often referred to as the 'Zinfandel Capital of the World' where they have the largest acreage of Zinfandel grapes in California (and the world), one of their favorite traditions is to have a zinfandel tasting on the tailgate of a pick-up truck. It was also a favorite wine of the forty-niners who brought zinfandel grape vines from Italy to the Sierra Foothills of California in the late 1840's during the gold rush. Therefore, it is probable that many gold miners enjoyed some Zinfandel wine while sitting around the campfire in the evenings, cooking their dinner over the flames. Since that time, Zinfandel vines have spread across California and are now planted in many other regions, such as Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Mendocino, Contra Costa, Lake County and beyond. It is now even planted in other states and countries, including its home base of Croatia, as well as Italy (where it is called Primitivo). Zinfandel Wine and Perfect BBQ Dish Pairings So, which BBQ dishes should you pair with Zinfandel besides the classic ribs, steaks, and chicken? Rebecca Robinson had some great ideas: Honey‑garlic prawns —This sweet-savory combo is a match made in heaven: Zinfandel's vibrant fruit and peppery spice elevate the glaze, while its lively acidity balances the prawns' richness. Cedar‑plank salmon with herb butter — That kiss of wood smoke and buttery herbs unlocks Zin's earthier, savory-forward notes, while the fruit tones keep the pairing crisp and refreshing. Grilled vegetables & skewers — Think zucchini ribbons dusted with smoked paprika or herb-oil-brushed artichokes. Zinfandel brings a playful pepper quality and bright fruit that harmonize with char and earthiness. Korean-style BBQ (bulgogi, galbi) — The sweet-salty glaze dances with Zin's spice and rich berry fruit—combining umami and brightness in a way that begs you to take the next bite and sip. Charred cauliflower steaks with chimichurri — Herb-packed sauce meets bright fruit, creating a vibrant back-and-forth that sings with every mouthful. Tri‑Tip (Santa Maria style) — Zinfandel-soaked grills meet California classics: a Dry Creek Valley Zin—or similar—mirrors the regional roots and turns this smoky, peppery staple into something even richer and more soulful. Of Course – BBQ Ribs, Steaks and Hamburgers – With a delicious rub and a nice smokey char note, pretty much all types of beef delight in the bright berry flavors and spicy notes of Zinfandel, creating a symphony of tastes in your mouth. BBQ Chicken – whether it is classic tomato based, mustard, spicy Cajun, or teriyaki glaze, the savory notes of BBQ chicken enhance the bright fruit flavors of Zinfandel and enhance its spicy, peppery notes. Veggie Burgers – If you enjoy Impossible, Beyond or other vegetarian burgers, it is amazing how good they taste on the grill. By just adding that wonderful smoky charred notes, with a great rub, they turn into a feast, which is only enhanced by the smooth jammy notes of Zinfandel. 'Zinfandel doesn't just keep up—it amplifies the flavors, creating a back-and-forth of bright fruit, savory depth, and spice that makes every bite sing,' said Rebecca. Zinfandel Styles: Rosé, Sparkling, Blends and White Don't just stop at red Zinfandel. Many producers also craft other styles of Zinfandel, such as sparkling, rose, and the traditional white zinfandel. So for people who would prefer a lighter style of wine, seek out these other styles, which can also pair with lighter BBQ dishes, such as grilled white fish, asparagus, or other grilled veggie or fruit dishes (don't forget about grilled peach and burrata salad!) According to Rebecca, 'Zinfandel is full of surprises that go way beyond the big, bold reds. Here's how to explore its lighter, more playful side: Rosé of Zinfandel – this is a new modern style of rosé, full of fresh berry and citrus notes and a crisp, refreshing finish. It should be served chilled and is perfect for lighter BBQ fare, from grilled shrimp to vegetable skewers, offering a refreshing counterpoint to smoky flavors. Sparkling Zinfandels - though not as common, you can find a sparkling pink zinfandel if you are persistent. Expect lively berry aromas, citrusy brightness, and just enough structure to pair with grilled seafood, spicy chicken, or even tangy BBQ sauces. The bubbles lift the richness of the food while amplifying freshness. Zinfandel Blends - Zinfandel plays beautifully with other varieties, especially in field blends (a mixture of different varietals grown in the vineyard) or creative combinations with grapes that add structure, spice, or floral notes. These blends can range from bright and aromatic to rich and savory, making them incredibly versatile with BBQ dishes from smoky tri-tip to charred vegetable platters. White Zinfandel – if you prefer a semi-sweet wine, the traditional white zinfandel is still a great choice. With perfumed floral notes and sweet strawberry flavors with a creamy mouthfeel, it is a great sipping wine that pairs well with grilled peaches and other lighter BBQ fare. Zinfandel Wine: Finding One That is Right for You Fortunately, there are many delicious Zinfandel wines in the U.S. market, ranging from very affordable to the extravagant. Following is a table that lists some of the more popular brands. Some Zinfandel red wines are also know for their excellent ability to age, and are prized by collectors of old California wines. These are generally made by some of the top Zinfandel producers, such as Ridge Vineyards, Turley, A. Rafanelli and a few other wineries. As they age, they can take on similar flavors and characteristics of old Bordeaux wines. Old Vine Zinfandel: An American Heritage Treasure If you are lucky you may find a bottle of Zinfandel that is labeled, 'Old Vine Zinfandel.' Though there is no official designation of what 'old vine' means, in general, it indicates that the grapes in the bottle are from vines that are at least 50 years old. In some, special cases, the vines are more than 100 years old – and the winery will usually list this on the label. There are even a few old Zinfandel vineyards in the Sierra Foothills that were planted in the 1800's, such as the Grandpere Vineyard in Amador County that was planted in 1869. Both Lodi and Sonoma County also are home to some Zinfandel vineyards that are over 100 years in age. Imagine drinking a bottle of wine where the grapes were planted before WWII. These old Zinfandel vineyards are considered to be American historical treasures, because most commercial vineyards are pulled out at around 30 years of age. This is because as they age, they don't produce as much quantity, but they do produce high quality. So if you encounter a bottle of old vine Zinfandel with grapes aged 100+ years, enjoy it with friends and know that you are drinking a piece of American viticulture history.
Business Wire
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ZAP Surgical Systems and Ibn Sina Medical Center to Bring Groundbreaking Non-Invasive Brain Surgery Platform to Africa
SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc., a global leader in non-invasive robotic brain surgery, today announced that Ibn Sina Medical Center will become the first hospital in Morocco, and the first in Africa, to introduce the cutting-edge ZAP-X ® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery ® platform. This innovative non-invasive surgical robotics system is poised to transform brain cancer treatment across the region. Located in Casablanca, Ibn Sina Medical Center is a state-of-the-art facility currently under construction. The ZAP-X installation is scheduled to begin the summer of 2025, with the first patient treatments planned for fall of 2025. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a completely non-invasive and painless outpatient procedure that has revolutionized the treatment of many primary and metastatic brain tumors, as well as other conditions affecting the brain, head, and neck. Typically completed in a single brief outpatient visit, SRS allows patients to often resume normal activities on the same day as treatment. Dr. Faouzi L' Habeeb, radiation and medical oncologist, managing partner and chairman at Ibn Sina Medical Center, commented, 'The ZAP-X platform signifies the future of brain tumor treatment, allowing us to improve patients' quality of life both throughout and following their treatment.' A primary motivation behind Ibn Sina Medical Center's acquisition of the ZAP-X system is its self-contained, self-shielded design. This unique feature eliminates the requirement for hospitals to build expensive, shielded radiation vaults. 'ZAP Surgical's mission is to make world-class stereotactic radiosurgery accessible to the millions of patients who currently lack access,' commented John R. Adler, MD, Professor Emeritus of Neurosurgery at Stanford University and Founder and CEO of ZAP Surgical Systems. 'By reducing the costs and complexities of traditional SRS delivery, ZAP aims to support providers such as Ibn Sina Medical Center and others around the globe with best-in-class care.' The ZAP-X system is also renowned for its innovative gyroscopic targeting, enabling radiosurgical beams to be delivered from thousands of potential angles. This pioneering approach enhances precision by hyper-focusing radiation to intracranial lesions while also minimizing radiation exposure to healthy brain tissue, thus helping to preserve patient cognitive function. Additionally, ZAP-X is the first and only dedicated cranial radiosurgery platform to eliminate the need for Cobalt-60 radioactive isotopes. Instead, it employs a modern linear accelerator to generate radiation, removing the costs and logistical challenges associated with acquiring, securing, and regularly replacing potentially dangerous radioactive materials. 'The entire ZAP team is honored to work alongside Dr. L' Habeeb and the clinical team at Ibn Sina Medical Center,' said Ahmed Salem, Regional Business Director for ZAP Surgical. 'With the addition of ZAP-X, they continue a proud tradition of bringing the latest and most advanced radiation delivery technologies to Morocco.' The successful introduction of this cutting-edge technology to Morocco was spearheaded by Issam Fadil and Faisal Khalil Jouhari of Promedstore Imaging, the official regional distributor of ZAP-X. For more information about ZAP-X, please visit About ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc. ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc. designs and manufactures the ZAP-X ® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery ® platform. ZAP was founded in 2014 by Dr. John R. Adler, Emeritus Dorothy & TK Chan Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology at Stanford University. Dr. Adler is also renowned as the inventor of the CyberKnife ® system and founder of Accuray, Inc. The ZAP-X platform incorporates a unique vault-free design that typically eliminates the need for costly shielded treatment rooms. ZAP-X also utilizes a modern linear accelerator to eliminate legacy use of Cobalt-60. Learn more at ZAP Surgical and follow us on LinkedIn.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
The moment rare 'roll clouds' sweep across Portugal during record heatwave - while in Italy a 'water bomb' kills one person as extreme weather hits the continent
Europe has been shaken by rare and unstable weather phenomena as the fatal heatwave continues to bring chaos and disruption to the continent. Towering roll clouds loomed over beaches in Portugal as temperatures edged past 40C this week. 'The most frightening thing was the wind and everything becoming dark,' one swimmer told online media outlet ZAP. 'It was very strange. We all started packing up our things and running. It looked like a tsunami. The national meteorological agency said those on beaches in northern and central Portugal would have seen the cloud blown towards the coast on Monday. Roll clouds are formed from the interaction of air masses with different temperatures and sea breezes. Sweltering heat has brought unstable weather phenomena to Portugal in recent days, including violent storms, hail and freak showers of rain. The country recorded a new record high temperature for June in Mora on Sunday as temperatures climbed to a sweltering 46.6C. Firefighters battled wildfires overnight. Intense flooding brought on by heavy rains in northern Italy, meanwhile, killed a person on Monday as thunderstorms crashed nearby. The 70-year-old man, named locally as greengrocer Franco Chiaffrini, was hit by a torrent of water and mud in the alpine town of Bardonecchia, Piedmont. Witnesses said he was dragged away for the current and went missing for several hours before firefighters recovered his body some 400 metres away. 'Today a water bomb hit the town of Bardonecchia suddenly, causing damage and unfortunately a victim,' said the president of the region, Alberto Cirio. Authorities nationwide were also stretched to deal with wildfires, landslides, the aftermath of violent storms and an earthquake in the blistering heat. Britain, meanwhile, was forecast to see temperatures as high as 36C today, after Monday saw the hottest start to Wimbledon on record and a peak of 33.1C in London. Commuters in the capital faced travel chaos this morning after a fire alert at South Kensington station, which saw the Circle line completely suspended and the District and Hammersmith & City lines both part-suspended. A driver on one Tube train told passengers in an announcement that the fire was likely caused by the heat. PORTUGAL: The clouds are formed for mixing air of different temperatures Italy A man in northwestern Italy was killed Monday in a flash flood caused by heavy rains, the authorities announced. The 70-year-old man was hit by a torrent of water and mud after he got out of his van in the alpine town of Bardonecchia in the region of Piedmont, located some 90 kilometres (56 miles) west of Turin near the French border. 'We are increasingly faced with emergency situations due to weather events that we used to call exceptional but are now more and more frequent,' said the president of the region, Alberto Cirio, on social media The town's mayor had warned residents in the afternoon not to leave their homes or approach bridges, as sudden bad weather caused the Frejus waterway to break its banks. Video showed churning black water rushing down the waterway, sending up plumes of water and mud over its banks. Local media identified the man as a 70-year-old resident of Bardonecchia, a resort town which hosted snowboarding events during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Firefighters rescued at least 10 people trapped by the waters, as well as a handful stuck in their cars, media reported. Separately, authorities were investigating whether soaring temperatures in the north of the country had caused a giant sign atop a 192m structure in Milan to collapse on Monday. A sign on top of the Generali building appeared to slump into the roof and was at risk of crashing to the ground, firefighters said. Generali said that the possible causes of the incident were being assessed. One hypothesis is that the steel beams holding up the sign broke. In Bologna, a 47-year-old man was reported to have died in the heat after falling ill on a building sight. Authorities also warned that rising temperatures were now bringing more venomous invasive species to coastal waters around tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) urged tourists and fishermen to report sightings of four 'potentially dangerous' species this week, citing nearly two thousand recorded appearances in the region. The lionfish, silver-cheeked toadfish, dusky spinefoot and marbled spinefoot are beginning to appear in waters off southern Italy as the Mediterranean warms, it said. The Ionian Sea is now one of the most vulnerable areas to lionfish, which carry spines causing 'extremely painful strings'. The silver-cheeked toadfish contains a highly toxic neurotoxin and wields powerful teeth 'capable of inflicting serious bites'. On mainland Italy, a few regions were planning to ban some outdoor work activities during the hottest hours of the day in response to the record-high temperatures. Authorities in Naples were dealing with wildfires and an earthquake as temperatures soared on Monday. Images posted by local media showed people running into the sea at a beach resort in Baia Domizia near Naples as flames tore through pinewoods behind them. 'I have never experienced anything like this, we were surrounded by flames at least thirty meters high, smoke everywhere,' the mayor of nearby Cellole, Guido di Leone, wrote on Facebook. The 4.6 magnitude earthquake in central Italy was the most violent in the last 40 years, according to Italian news agency ANSA. Trains in the region, including Naples' subway, were suspended. Local media also reported that a violent thunderstorm in Valle D'Aosta had caused two landslides to obstruct a road to Cogne. Fire services were called out to rescue a car trapped by the debris. Rail traffic between Paris and Milan is expected to be disrupted for 'at least several days', the SNCF told AFP on Tuesday, following violent thunderstorms around Modane in the Maurienne valley in Savoie. France Temperatures were expected to reach highs of 41C in France today, with the highest extreme heat warning in place in 16 departments across the country. Operators of the Eiffel Tower shut the summit of the 1,083-feet high landmark on Monday and said it would remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday 'due to the current heatwave'. Across the Ile-de-France region which includes Paris, police said all but the least polluting vehicles would be banned from the roads from 0330 GMT to 2200 GMT because of high ozone pollution levels. Speed limits of 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) per hour would also remain in some places. Warnings were issued for young children, older people and those with chronic illnesses. 'Heatwaves are deadly,' said Akshay Deoras, a research scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science and Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, west of London. 'We need to treat extreme heat with the same seriousness we give to dangerous storms.' Across France, the government said it expected nearly 1,350 schools to be partially or completely shut - nearly double the number on Monday - with teachers complaining that overheated and unventilated classrooms were making students unwell. Agnes Pannier-Runacher, France's ecology transition minister, warned, in comments to Sud Radio, that there could be 44 million people nationwide trapped in urban 'heat islands', where the temperature could be as much as 4 or 5C higher. The heat island effect means built-up areas are often much hotter than nearby rural areas due to human-made surfaces that absorb the heat, like buildings and roads. Densely populated city areas can be as much as 12C warmer than the surrounding countryside. Dr Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor at the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of Oxford, said: 'Populations in urban areas like London are particularly susceptible to extreme heat as the concrete and asphalt absorb and re-emit the sun's radiation, amplifying its impact on our bodies. 'For this reason, outdoor workers are particularly at risk and should take regular breaks to hydrate in the shade.' Portugal Portugal will see limited respite on Tuesday, after two days on red alert in several regions, including Lisbon. But temperatures were still expected to reach 40C in the central city of Castel Branco, Beja and Evora in the south, and 34C in the capital. The national meteorological agency IPMA said those on the beaches in northern and central Portugal would have seen a rare 'roll cloud' blown towards the coast on Monday. Images shared on social networks showed a huge horizontal cloud heading from the horizon towards the shore, accompanied by a violent gust of wind when it reached land. While temperatures were expected to fall slightly, the risk of forest fires remains high in a number of Portuguese regions. On Monday night, some 250 firefighters were tackling a blaze in the southern Aljustrel area. FRANCE: A tourist holds an umbrella to protect themselves from the sun during a heatwave near the Eiffel Tower at the Trocadero square, in Paris, on June 30, 2025 Spain Highs in the mid-40s were expected in Spain, after the country recorded its hottest June day on record at the weekend. Sunday's national average of 28C set a new high temperature for June 29 since records were started in 1950, PA reports. A new June heat record of 46C was also recorded in El Granado, in the Andalucían province of Huelva on Saturday, the BBC reported. Spain's national weather service said no relief from the first heat wave of the year is expected until Thursday. As temperatures in the country's arid south soared, passengers were left stranded in train carriages after a power cable failure cut high-speed lines between Madrid and Andalucía. The state-owned railway infrastructure operator, ADIF, called on regional emergency services to service and evacuate stranded passengers, some of whom spent hours stuck inside the trains as a blistering heatwave scorches the country. The cause of the malfunction was unknown and ADIF has since postponed the resumption of service four times. A 51-year-old woman died on Saturday night in Barcelona in the midst of the heatwave. Montse Aguilar had felt unwell throughout the day and returned home from work as a street cleaner before tragically dying, her family said, as reported by El Pais. In a message sent to a friend she had said that she 'thought I was going to die', citing pains in her arms, chest, and neck. Family members shared their anger towards the contractor that provides cleaning services in Barcelona's historic centre. The director of cleaning and waste collection services, Carlos Vázquez, said that there was no negligence and the City Council would not open an investigation. An autopsy is expected to confirm Ms Aguilar's cause of death. The family believe she died from heat exhaustion and expect to file a complaint, El Pais reports. Ms Aguilar lived in Poblesec with her 85-year-old mother, whom she cared for. She was a choir singer. Germany In Germany, temperatures are expected to edge towards 40C, rising from nearly 35C on Monday. Temperatures in southern Germany were forecast as high as 39 C (102F) on Wednesday. Some towns and regions imposed limits on how much water can be taken from rivers and lakes. The heatwave has already lowered water levels on the Rhine, hampering shipping and raising freight costs for cargo owners, affecting international trade. At the chokepoint of Kaub, cargo vessels could only sail about 50% full, at Duisburg and Cologne between 40-50% full. Greece To the east, Greece and Turkey have also been hit hard by wildfires, causing chaos for tourists as hundreds of passengers were left stranded. Greece has issued a 'very high' fire alert for six major regions amid the extreme heatwave. On the island of Karpathos, with a heat weather warning in place, a search operation was launched after a British holidaymaker did not return to his rented accommodation. The man was last seen by the owner of the accommodation on Friday, June 27, a police source said. The Foreign Office said it was supporting the family of a man missing in Greece, and in contact with the local authorities. Switzerland Not even Switzerland was immune from the heat, with the Alps reporting record-breaking temperatures. It was the first time that the entire Alpine range had seen temperatures above 0C in June. Snow loss continues to threaten glaciers, the communities underneath them and ski resorts across Europe.
