Cali Zinfandel Flavor Characteristics

According to Wikipidia: California regions In California, 20% of the Zinfandel-growing counties hold 80% of the Zinfandel growing area; however, major producing areas such as San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, and Madera County produce Zinfandel primarily for blends or jug wine. Certain California regions are regarded as “exceptional” for Zinfandel, each with identifiable flavor characteristics….

Zinfandel Lovers Rejoice…Global #Zinfandel Day!

My travels through “Winedom” has lead me to many interesting wines, places, and people.  The time has come for a new adventure in “Winedom”.  Social media and wine.  Admittedly it is with some trepidation I approach combining social media and wine.  Sure, I have dabbled in social media.  I have various FB “Likes”, and “Friends”…

Pinot Noir Night…And The Winner Is…

We held the bi-monthly Pacific Pointe Wine Tasting Club meeting last Friday night. Once again it was a fun, food, and wine filled evening.  We blind tasted 10 Pinot Noirs purchased for between $10, and $25 as follows: 2007 Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir – $16 2004 David Bruce Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir – $17 2007…

Big, Dark, and Delicious

I was headed home Friday after another week of too many hours, and not enough rest. I decided to pick up a pizza on the way home because we’d opened a 2006 Rosenblum Cellars Richard Sauret Zinfandel (88pts) the night before. I decided to get a pizza topped with grilled chicken, sausage, linguica, roma tomatoes, red…

Mine Eyes Have Been Opened Wide…

I love Zin.  It’s one of my favorite varietals.  In fact, my epiphany wine was a Lolonis Zinfandel I had about 10 years ago.  Before that, I liked wine and would consume it occasionally.  But after that, I came to love wine.  I can still remember the juicy berry flavor of that wine! But when…

Start the car….I gotta steal!

Just a few short years ago, before the Great Recession, there were many wine lovers, and just plain showoffs who seemed to revel in telling anyone who would listen, or pretend to listen, how much they paid for a bottle of wine.  Well, the tables have turned.  Now, it seems it’s cool to tell folks…

Tiny bubbles make me happy…

I prepared Garlicky Shrimp Pasta last night.  It’d been a while since I made it, and my vague recollection was that the next time I make it, add a bit salt and add more red pepper flakes to make it spicier.  Well, I got carried away on both counts!  It turned out to be a…

Do you know the way to Viognier?

We recently went to dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant.  We decided to take a bottle of 2008 Yalumba Viognier –Eden Valley South Australia ($14/bottle; 14.5% A.B.V).  It’s a wine I purchased from my favorite wine store, K&L Wine Merchants six months ago.  It paired wonderfully with the Thai dishes we selected, Crab fried-rice, Pad…

Ice Ice Baby!

The other night I came home from work late. I had a light meal, but wanted something sweet after dinner.  It was a warm evening  so ice cream came to mind, but I had ice cream the night before and wanted to avoid the fat.  I decided to have a little ice wine –  2008…