Tampa Tailgating Made Better

Tailgating, whether before or after a football game, baseball, or soccer match, is such an American tradition. Whether you prefer burgers and chips or Brie and baguettes, there's a wine that will fit your tailgating style.

While tailgate parties often conjure up images of burgers, brats and beer, why shouldn't wine be a part of the party, too? After all, wine has now surpassed beer as America's alcoholic beverage of choice. According to one study, by the end of the decade, America may even surpass France in wine consumption.

And so the question arises: Shouldn't America's favorite beverage be on the menu at America's favorite out door party?

Before you grab some bottles off the shelf, be sure to grab a designated driver-tailgates by definition require cars and driving, so keep it safe. Also grab plenty of non-alcoholic options, as partying in the parking lot has a way of making one thirsty, and wine simply isn't meant for gulping to quench thirst.

The only question is: which wine to take to the tailgate? This depends on your tailgating style. A few suggestions:

Zinfandel for Grillmasters:
Whether you bring a simple little hibachi or go all out with fancy grills with all the bells and whistles, chances are you¿ll have some beef and pork sizzling over the coals. Red Zinfandel will go particularly well with such meaty, robust foods. Dark, thick and rich with berries and spice, fuller-bodied versions of this wine particularly sing with anything slathered in barbecue sauce.

Shiraz for Chips, Dips, Sandwiches and More:
Like Zin, Shiraz (also known as Syrah), will go great with anything hot off the grill; however, it's also a smart choice to bring to a potluck-style gathering when the menu will be anyone's guess! That¿s because Shiraz is one of the food-friendliest reds around. Its tantalizing berry-fruit flavors and peppery-spice notes mesh well with all kinds of party foods, from chili and pizza to hoagies and potato chips.

Shiraz has the added benefit of being available in boxes. This style of packaging means lots of good news for tailgaters: Boxes take up less space than bottles and are much more portable, plus they're practically unbreakable and offer terrific value for the money.

Fancy Sippers for Fancy Foods:
It's true-there's plenty of gourmet action going on at tailgates these days. If your style is more about world-class cheeses, high-end charcuterie and one-of-a-kind salads than about flipping burgers, a sparkling wine might just be in order. Yet this isn't the time to pull out the French Champagne (you'll want to be able to afford gas for the ride home, after all!). Instead, reach for Cava, a sparkling wine from Spain, or Prosecco, an Italian bubbly. Both are much less expensive than their French cousins.

Most sparkling wines work well with a variety of foods, and Cava and Prosecco are no exceptions. Reach for Cava if you like a more traditional, brut-style sparkling wine-it's toastier and drier than Prosecco, which can often be lighter and fruitier.