Hello again my friends!
Today I wanted to take the time to talk about one of my favorite grape varietals, Zinfandel. It is a great all around wine that can be paired with anything from roasted chicken to baby back ribs. It also has a wonderful affinity for chocolate desserts! Zinfandel’s usually have a rich fruitiness like that of blackberries. They also have a luscious mouth feel and tend to finish with a spicy or even peppery flavor with some tannins. Of course each label will have its own style but these characteristics seem to be consistent with this varietal. California has really dominated this market even though it is a European grape. And as far as California wines go, it is very affordable. There are dozens of great wines under 30 bucks that drink like a much more expensive wine. Here are a few you may want to check out. Let me know what you think and be sure to try it with different types of food to see where it best suits your palate.
Rosenblum , Appelation Series 2007 , Paso Robles
Four Vines , The Sophisticate 2007 , Paso Robles
Ridge, Dry Creek Valley 2007 , Sonoma
Seghesio, Sonoma County Zinfandel 2004, Sonoma
Layer Cake, Primitivo 2007 , Barossa Australia
Dashe, Dry Creek 2007 , Sonoma
Remember to celebrate each day because no one is promised tomorrow and what better way to do so than with a great wine, delicious food and great friends!
Chef Ed