Zinfandel Sparks Grape Debate in Calif.

Associated Press ^ | Feb 11 | MICHELLE LOCKE

[george76]

In a move that could bring a merlot low - and make a chardonnay shudder - a state lawmaker is proposing making zinfandel the official wine of California.

State Sen. Carole Migden introduced the bill this week, saying the heady varietal is a "quintessential" California wine dating back to Gold Rush days and versatile enough to stand up to the spicy diversity of California cuisine.

"It's about time we give it the recognition it deserves," ...

Preliminary figures for the 2005 grape harvest put zinfandel at 10.4 percent of the crop, behind cabernet sauvignon's 12.5 percent.

Chardonnay was the harvest heavy at about 17 percent.

The bill is headed to committee and could be heard next month.

"There's not a better wine to drink out of the bottle, in my opinion," he said."You don't need fancy stemware."

Red zinfandels pack a punch, with some edging up to 15 percent alcohol and beyond.

Lower alcohol levels are found in white zinfandel - often sniffed at by critics...

any issues between red and white zin factions will be "flushed out" in the legislative process.

[DollyCali]

I meant to thank you for the ping in my post.. appreciate being on your list!

[FOG724]

I prefer a nice Shiraz. But it's not a CA wine.

[Clemenza]

1. Zinfandel is indigenous to the countries of Slovenia and Croatia, where it is known as Crljenak Kaštelanski. It is NOT indigenous to California.

2. Anyone who would drink White Zinfandel better not carry a Y chromosome, or there license to call themself a man would be called into question.

3. My fave producers are Seghesio (Sonoma), Easton (Amador County), and Di Arie (Amador County).

[toomanygrasshoppers]

I agree. Ravenswood is very good, especially the one from Sonoma. "7 Deadly Zins" is good as well as Bonny Doone's "Cardinal Zin".

[dervish]

ditto.

I like all kinds of wine, but not Zin. The best thing I can say about it is Italian Primativo is worse.

[Emmalein]

Shiraz's are nice. I've been drinking alot of Gewurztraminer lately which is very tasty if done just right.

[GVnana]

Since I don't have a Y chromosome to take issue, I'll go on record as saying that White Zinfanel is pretty darn good with turkey and ham. If you've got wine neophytes in your family (who doesn't) they'll probably rave about the stuff.

[Clemenza]

White Zinfandel is an OK introductory wine. Then you can introduce your family to the joys of Turkey with Beaujolais or Ham with Rioja.

I usually get wine neophytes hooked with either Vinho Verde or Cali Chardonnay. A good Rose' from France or Spain also does the trick and doesn't cost much either.

[GVnana]

I'm of a age where a lot of my friends were introduced to wine by buying Sutter Home White Zinfandel. We graduated, but alas, some did not.

[Emmalein]

Which type of Chardonnay do you prefer? The oak aged or the ones done in steel? I'm old school and prefer the oak... the buttery the better.

[quantim]

I was weaned on the Ridge Zinfandels back in the 70's. Geyserville, Pagani Ranch, Lytton Springs still rank among or above the rest in the older styles. Love them.

[Clemenza]

I prefer French Chardonnay (Chablis or Burgundy), with little oak. The buttery oak flavor is preferred by most Americans, but overwhelms the lobster or oysters IMHO.

[GVnana]

Hmm. You would've liked one of my Christmas presents. 1999 Eschen Vineyard Old Vine Fiddletown Zinfanel. Folie a Deux. Scott Harvey. It was KILLAH!

[johniegrad]

The best zins in the world are from Rosenblum, Turley, and Ravenswood. Please check out their websites. I would not buy what is available from Rosenblum or Ravenswood in grocery stores (California) or liquor stores. Please check out these three vintners for truly exquisites reds despite what all the other posters are saying.

[najida]

Especially white Zin....
The "I taste like grape peels and formaldehyde" wine.

[garyhope]

Hey Quant,

My friend Peter in Carmel,Ca. loves Zin. I just had a bottle of the "ordinary" Rosenblum Zin he recommended for about $9-10 here in Texas. Pretty good, I enjoyed it. I know there are lots of other great zins around

I've had some zins in California that were so big and rich they were like dessert wines.

[concentric circles]

The 2006 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Award Winners.
http://www.winejudging.com/medal_winners.htm

Zinfandel - Up to $13.99

- Gold Best of Class
Pepperwood Grove 2003 California $8.00

- Gold
Campus Oaks 2002 Old Vine $10.00
Cartlidge & Browne 2004 California $10.00
Gnarly Head 2004 Old Vine $8.99
Jessies Grove 2004 Earth Zin & Fire $12.99
Leaping Lizard 2003 Napa Valley $9.99
Rancho Zabaco Winery 2003 Dancing Bull California $10.00
Talus 2004 Lodi $7.99
Windmill Estates 2004 Old Vine Zin $12.00

Zinfandel - $14.00 to $19.99

- Gold Best of Class
Drytown Cellars 2003 Amador County $15.00
Ravenswood 2003 Lodi $14.99

- Double Gold
Truckee River Winery 2003 Lodi $18.00

- Gold
Barefoot Reserve 2002 Dry Creek Valley $15.00
Boeger Winery 2003 $15.00
Boitano Family Wines 2004 Sierra Foothills $18.00
Edmeades Winery 2004 Mendocino $16.00
Gravity Hills Winery 2002 Tumbling Tractor Westside $14.99
Kenwood Vineyards 2003 Sonoma County $16.00
Philo Ridge Vineyards 2003 Mendocino $19.00
Q Sonoma 2002 Q Sonoma $15.99
Ravenswood 2003 Napa County $14.99

Zinfandel - $20.00 to $29.99

- Double Gold Best of Class
Starry Night Winery 2003 Tom Feeney Russian River $26.00

- Gold Best of Class
Cooper Vineyards 2003 due cugini $21.00

- Double Gold
Campus Oaks 2002 Old Vine Magna Cum Laude Res $24.00
Harvest Moon Winery 2003 Russian River Valley Zin $20.00
Opolo Vineyards 2004 Mountain Paso Robles $26.00
Tin Barn Vineyards 2003 Gilson Vineyard Russian River Valley $27.00

- Gold
Black Sheep Vintners 2002 Clockspring Vineyards $20.00
C.G. Di Arie Vineyard & Winery 2003 Shenandoah Valley $25.00
Campus Oaks 2002 Old Vine Cum Laude Res $20.00
Carol Shelton Wines 2004 Wild Thing Cox Vineyard Mendocino Co $28.00
De La Montanya Winery 2004 Felta Creek Vineyard Dry Creek Valley $24.00
Eric Ross Winery 2001 Occidental Vineyard Old Vine Zin $27.00
Macchia 2004 Linsteadt Vineyard Adventurous $25.99
Mill Creek Vineyards 2003 Dry Creek Valley $24.00
Onthedge 2001 Frediani 1956 Napa Valley $23.00
Renwood Winery 2002 Jack Rabbit Flat Amador Co. $29.95
Renwood Winery 2003 Fiddletown $25.00
Saucelito Canyon Vineyards 2004 Arroyo Grande Valley $20.00
Shenandoah Vineyards 2003 Reserve Paul's Vineyard $24.00
Storrs Winery 2003 Rusty Ridge $28.00
Wellington Vineyards 2003 Sonoma Valley Meeks Hilltop $25.00

Zinfandel - $30.00 & Over

- Double Gold Best of Class
Wilson Winery 2003 Reserve Dry Creek Valley $38.00

- Double Gold
Battaglini Estate Winery 2003 Prop Res Russian River Valley Old Vin Est. $31.00
Sapphire Hill Winery 2004 Winberrie Vineyard Russian River Valley $32.00

- Gold
Chateau Julien 2003 Private Reserve $36.00
Frank Family Vineyards 2003 Napa Valley $34.75
Ledson Winery & Vineyards 2003 Russian River Valley Feeney $36.00
Mayo Family Winery 2004 Russian River Valley Ricci Vineyard $30.00
Papapietro Perry 2003 Russian River Valley $30.00

[Cacique]

A bit of history for you. My grandfather made refosco and teran wines. He grew other varietals as well. He was also a large exporter of seedlings to America as the crop here was hit by the blight and most of the California crop was affected in the 1920's and 30's. Indeed most of the vines of many types in California date from that period. Don't know if my grandfather grew Crljenak but because of the high alcohole content it is likely it was used to make grapa. In any case, it is likely that if you drink a lot od California wines you likely had some that was descnded from the seedlings my father exported there in the 20's and 30's.

[Clemenza]

I prefer a nice Shiraz. But it's not a CA wine.

Yes it is, only it is called Syrah.

Australian wine = Roo piss.

[Clemenza]

Worst wine I have sipped lately was some Charles Shaw "Beaujolais" that I purchased around Thanksgiving. Reminded me of the Kool-Aid/Jello mixes I made as a youth on my sick days from school. Yeech!