Zinfandel wines come from a red-skinned wine grape popular in California
for its intense fruitiness and lush texture. Vintners use Zinfandel wine
grapes to produce a wide range of Zinfandel wines styles including sweet
White Zinfandels, light bodied reds reminiscent of Beaujolais Nouveau,
full bodied dry reds, sweet late harvest dessert wines, and ports.
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Vintners have grown Zinfandel wines grapes in California in quantity for
over one hundred years. Many of the oldest wineries in the state grow
Zinfandel wine grapes and the vines are now treated almost like historic
landmarks. The vineyards survived Prohibition because the thick skins of
the grape allowed it to survive shipping to home winemakers in eastern
states. The invention of White Zinfandel wine in the 1970s further
saved the Zinfandel wines grape vines. In the 1990s the market for
premium wine increased sufficiently that old vine Zinfandel became
valuable on its own.
Zinfandel Wine Tip:
Look for Zinfandel wines from Napa, Amador and The Sierra Foothills.
Sonoma in particular, was charmed. Look for these Zinfandel wines - Russian
River, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley appellations. You will find
wines that have depth, color, concentration and balance as well as those
exotic spices so unique to zins. Zinfandel wines are drinkable now, but
will certainly not wilt in the cellar. |
