Sleeping Wine

A winemaker friend whom I greatly respect insists that Zinfandel is the hardest grape to make into a great wine.  I had never thought about it until then, but, I think he has a point.  Growing conditions, ripeness at harvest and a winemaker’s preferences make this wine hard to predict.

Here’s what Wikipedia says about the different AVA’s and Zin.

Certain California regions are regarded as “exceptional” for Zinfandel,^[44] each with identifiable flavor characteristics.

• Amador has a reputation for big, full-bodied Zinfandel. These extra-ripe wines have been called jammy, briary, and brambly, having aromas of sweet berries.^[44]
• Although the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA in Santa Clara Valley produces Zinfandel from just 9 acres (3.64 hectares),^[43] the Zinfandel from that region is known for its complexity and depth.^[41]
• Sonoma county has a Zinfandel-producing land area second only to that of San Joaquin County.^[43] The county contains the warm Dry Creek Valley AVA, known for its juicy Zinfandel with bright fruit, balanced acidity and notes of blackberry, anise and pepper.^[4][41] Dry Creek Valley produces Zinfandel in a variety of styles ranging from the high-alcohol Amador style to balanced, spicy wines.^[44]
• San Luis Obispo, particularly the Paso Robles AVA with its hot days and cool maritime evenings,^[44] produces Zinfandel known for being soft and round.^[41]
• While the Napa Valley AVA is known primarily for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, Napa also produces Zinfandel wines described as plummy and intense, tasting of red berry fruits with cedar and vanilla.^[4][41] Zinfandel in Napa tends to be made in a claret style like red Bordeaux.^[44]
• The Russian River Valley generally produces well during warm vintages. Otherwise, the grapes do not fully ripen, leaving the wines with excessive acidity.^[41] The area has mostly “old vine” Zinfandel, characterized as spicy and somewhat lower in alcohol than Zinfandel from other regions.^[44]
• Mendocino County Zinfandel wines have been considered high quality, but they are less known because they are not heavily marketed.^[44]
• Lodi has some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in California. While often used for White Zinfandel production, in the red style, Lodi Zinfandels have a reputation for being juicy and approachable.^[41]

What do you think? Do you have a favorite Zinfandel?  A favorite pairing?

Leave a comment and I will randomly draw your name out of a hat on Friday.  The winner will receive 2 tickets to the Grand Tasting at ZAP.

ZAP
The 19th Annual Grand Zinfandel Tasting takes place on January 30 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at the Festival and Herbst Pavilions at Fort Mason (Marina Blvd. at Buchanan, San Francisco 94123). Tickets for non-ZAP members are $59; for ZAP members, $49. Over 200 wineries will pour their wines; a list of participating wineries can be found at http://zinfandel.org. There will be a silent auction based at the Festival Pavilion from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., benefiting ZAP’s Heritage Projects.