Wine 101- The Fascinating Zinfandel

Embark on a journey through California’s vineyards to unravel the story of Zinfandel, from its diverse flavors and origins to its influence on the global wine scene.

Zinfandel Unveiled in 60 Seconds

• Zinfandel, a California wine icon, thrives in over 10 percent of the state’s vineyards.
• Known for big, bold flavors and high alcohol content (14-17%), it produces full-bodied red wines and the semi-sweet rosé, White Zinfandel.
• Lodi, in Central California, boasts some of the oldest Zinfandel vines globally, over 100 years old.
• Zinfandel flavors vary based on grape ripeness, with red berry notes in cooler areas and black fruit and spice in warmer regions.

The Enigmatic Origins of Zinfandel

• Initially thought to be indigenous to the U.S., Zinfandel’s true origin was revealed through advanced DNA testing to be Croatia.
• The grape’s journey to California is linked to a horticulturist in Long Island who received shipments, potentially carrying Zinfandel vines, from Vienna, Austria, between 1820 and 1829.
• During the California Gold Rush, Zinfandel vines made their way across the country, becoming an integral part of the state’s viticultural history.

California Zinfandel

• Grown in various regions like Napa Valley, Sonoma, and Lodi, California Zinfandel offers concentrated flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and plum.
• Old Vine Zinfandel, notably from Lodi, presents even more intense flavors, commanding premium prices.
• White Zinfandel, initially popular in the mid-1970s, has a lingering presence due to its easy-drinking profile, constituting nearly 10 percent of wine sales in the U.S.

Italian “Zinfandel,” aka Primitivo

• In Italy, Zinfandel is known as Primitivo, cultivated in Puglia, the southeastern region along the Adriatic Sea.
• The hot climate yields fruity versions, with high-quality Primitivo often blended with the native grape Negroamaro.

Food Pairings with Zinfandel

• Fresh and fruity White Zinfandel complements lean proteins like chicken or pork with tomato-based sauces.
• Medium-bodied Zinfandel pairs well with marinated lamb chops or grilled sausage, offering complexity and spice.
• Full-bodied Zinfandel, robust with concentrated flavors, enhances heavier dishes like roast vegetable pasta or BBQ ribs.

10 Facts about Zinfandel

1. Zinfandel dominates over 10 percent of Californian vineyards.
2. California’s hot climate yields Zinfandel’s big, bold flavors and high alcohol content.
3. Zinfandel produces both full-bodied red wines and the semi-sweet rosé, White Zinfandel.
4. Lodi, Central California, hosts some of the world’s oldest Zinfandel vines.
5. Zinfandel’s flavors vary based on grape ripeness, with red berry notes in cooler regions and black fruit and spice in warmer areas.
6. DNA testing revealed Zinfandel’s origin to be Croatia, not Italy as initially believed.
7. Zinfandel’s journey to California is linked to shipments from Vienna, Austria, during the 1820s.
8. The grape’s presence during the California Gold Rush solidified its place in the state’s viticultural history.
9. California Zinfandel, grown in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and Lodi, offers concentrated flavors.
10. White Zinfandel, popularized in the mid-1970s, constitutes nearly 10 percent of U.S. wine sales.

Since you made it here…Interesting Wines to try

2019 Bouchaine Hyde Vineyard Merlot Carneros – Napa Valley

• The legendary Hyde Vineyard unveils a brilliantly structured Merlot
• Ripe tannins dominate, yet irresistibly approachable in its early evolution
• Sarsaparilla, cola spice, and cigar humidor dance with black licorice
• Layers of plum sauce, blackberries, cassis, and black raspberries unfold
• Scrubby herbs emerge with perky acidity, keeping the experience lively
• Immerse yourself in the world of wine with Hyde Vineyard’s masterpiece
• Elevate your tasting experience with this captivating Merlot

2019 Chappellet Merlot Napa Valley

• Inky richness, bursting with toasty cacao, espresso, and grilled vanilla
• Silky mouthfeel framed by sweet, integrating tannins
• Spiced plums, cassis, and bright acidity lingering through a blueberry-kissed finish

2019 Cuvaison Arcilla Merlot Los Carneros – Napa Valley

• Pure evocation of strawberries with evolving tea-like tannins
• Flavors of blackberry, black raspberry, and smashed blueberry
• Notably savory with hints of carob, mineral, black licorice, and plum sauce layers

2019 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley

• A beautiful expression with sweet tannins and well-integrated oak spicing
• Hoisin sauce, cassis, violets, and candied orange peels
• Sandalwood, floral peppercorns, espresso beans, warm vanilla, and loam

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot Walla Walla Valley, Washington

• Estate-grown brilliance structured for mid-term aging
• Ripe red berry fruit and cherries finding counterpoints in dusty tannins and carob
• Minerality pulsing through each sip, delivering a brilliant wine experience

2019 La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain Estate MerlotNapa Valley

• A classic effort from winemaker Chris Carpenter with astounding mountain-grown grapes
• Age-worthy tannins allowing notes of licorice, granite, cacao nibs, and well-steeped tea to shine
• Cardamom and violets lingering through the long, elegant finish

2020 Macari Vineyards Merlot North Fork of Long Island

• A spicy and fascinating expression, dominated by crushed peppercorns
• Remarkably translucent, revealing red cherries, raspberries, and toasted fennel seeds with oak spice

2018 Meeker Winemakers’ Handprint Collection Merlot Sonoma County

• Lifted and well-delineated, expressive of black raspberries, ripe cherries, and goji berries
• Loamy earthiness, sarsaparilla-dusted tannins, and a bay-leaf note creating an intriguing wine experience
• Elegant yet powerful, structured for cellaring or enjoying now with grilled meat

2019 Mt. Brave Merlot Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley

• Toasty, rich, and brooding, a wine rewarding patience
• Notes of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, cassis, purple plums, and cardamom promising complexity
• Impressive balance and structure with graphite-like tannins and singed laurel nuances

2019 Northstar Premier Merlot Columbia Valley, Washington

• Velvety texture, ripe with a counterbalancing punch of acidity
• Crushed blackberries and mulberries, vanilla, clove, and toasty oak through the finish
• A stellar example of what the wine variety does best in the Columbia Valley

2019 PlumpJack Estate Winery Merlot Napa Valley

• A toasty, modern, crowd-pleasing beauty with rich, chocolatey notes
• Plums, blackberries, and cassis lifted by candied violets
• Aging potential of five to seven years, but delightful fruitiness makes it enjoyable now

2019 Ridge Vineyards Estate Merlot Santa Cruz Mountains

• Shining with the character of the venerable Monte Bello Vineyard
• Cedar, incense, brambly berries, elegant balance, and beautifully calibrated acidity
• Promising another ten to fifteen years of life ahead

2019 Rutherford Hill Winery Merlot Napa Valley

• Silky and herbaceous, less fruit-forward than typical Napa Merlot
• Layers of black and red raspberries, cherries, and chocolate with lively mineral finish
• A solid value delivering a unique wine experience for less than $30

2019 Seavey MerlotNapa Valley

• Estate-grown Merlot marked by toasty oak, cafe mocha notes, and woodsy spices
• Silky tannins, density, and underlying pulse of minerality providing real energy
• A captivating wine experience with impressive aging potential

2020 Seven Hills Winery Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Walla Walla Valley, Washington

• Fruit-forward Merlot from a vineyard planted in the early-1980s
• Underlying bergamot note with nuances of sage, oregano, and cracked peppercorns
• Sweet tannins lingering through flavors of red and purple plums and huckleberries

2018 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery Rutherford Estate Vineyards MerlotNapa Valley

• Rich, chocolatey aromas of hoisin sauce and spiced blackberry liqueur
• Balanced acidity with minerality, hint of dried herbs, and fantastic kirsch finish

2019 Vérité La Muse

• One of the most intriguing and appealing new-release Merlots
• A balance of perfume and depth with red currants, raspberries, cherries, plums, graphite, and hints of tobacco and sandalwood

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