ZINFANDEL

     ZINFANDEL WINE IS A BOLD, FRUIT FORWARD RED THAT’S LOVED FOR ITS JAMMY FRUIT AND SMOKY, EXOTIC SPICE NOTES.  IT’S ALSO MADE INTO A SWEET ROSE CALLED WHITE ZINFANDEL.

 

     THE FLAVORS IN ZINFANDEL RANGE DEPENDING ON HOW RIPE THE GRAPES ARE.

TYPICALLY, ON THE NOSE YOU’LL FIND JUICY RED BERRY FLAVORS SUCH AS STRAWBERRY OR RASPBERRY IN WINES FROM COOLER AREAS. FOR WINES MADE IN WARMER CLIMATES, FLAVORS TURN TO DEEPER BLACK FRUITS. THERE IS ALWAYS A RICH BAKING SPICE AND UNDERLYING PEPPERY NOTE.

 

     THE PRIMARY FLAVORS OF ZINFANDEL ARE JAM, BLUEBERRY, BLACK PEPPER, CHERRY, PLUM, BOYSENBERRY, CRANBERRY, AND LICORICE. WHEN YOU TASTE ZINFANDEL IT OFTEN EXPLODES WITH CANDIED FRUITINESS FOLLOWED BY SPICE AND OFTEN A TOBACCO-LIKE SMOKY FINISH.

 

     ON THE PALATE, EXPECT A FULL BODIED, LUSH AND MOUTH-FILLING WINE, USUALLY WITH ELEVATED ALCOHOL. ON HIGH QUALITY ZINFANDEL, EXPECT TANNINS TO BE HIGH. 

 

     WHITE ZINFANDEL IS A KIND OF ROSÉ. EXPECT SWEETNESS AND AROMAS OF BRIGHT RED FRUITS, STRAWBERRY, RASPBERRY, CHERRY, AND RICH CITRUS.

 

     THE TREND STARTED IN THE 1970S A BIT BY ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO SUTTER HOME, A TANK OF THEIR OEIL DE PERDRIX (A SAIGNÉE ROSÉ WINE) GOT “STUCK” IN MID-FERMENTATION. THE YEASTS DIED BEFORE EATING ALL THE SUGARS AND THE WINE WAS RUINED! HOWEVER, WHEN THE WINEMAKER TASTED IT, HE FOUND THE BITTERNESS IN THE WINE HAD “DISAPPEARED” WITH THE RESIDUAL SUGAR. BETTER YET, CUSTOMERS LOVED IT!

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RED MEAT

BBQ, PORK, RIBS, LAMB, STEAKS, GAME MEATS, BURGERS, SPARE RIBS, ITALIAN SAUSAGE, BRISKET, VENISON

POULTRY

CHICKEN, TURKEY, DUCK, QUAIL, PHEASANT

SEAFOOD

TUNA, SALMON

CHEESE

SMOKED GOUDA, SHARP CHEDDAR, GRILLED HALLOUMI, BLUE CHEESE, FETA, STILTON, HAVARTI, GORGONZOLA
HERBS/SPICES

CURRY SPICE, CAJUN SPICE, CUMIN, BLCK PEPPER, SAGE, ROSEMARY, CARDAMOM, CINNAMON, FENNEL, BLACK TEA LEAF, COFFEE, COCOA

VEGETABLES

ONIONS, RED PEPPERS, TOMATOES, EGGPLANT, MUSHROOMS, OLIVE, ZUCCHINI, BEANS

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NEED SOME IDEAS?

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     THE HEARTY, BOLD FLAVORS IN ZINFANDEL MAKE IT A NATURAL COMPANION FOR THE RICH AND FLAVORFUL WORLD OF BBQ. TRY RIBS, GRILLED CHICKEN, ROAST LAMB, PULLED PORK, PORK CHOPS, BLACKENED SALMON, BACON-WRAPPED TENDERLOIN, GAME MEATS, AND BURGERS!