Jan 01 2007 04:16 pm
Posted by DaisyWine under Wine Articles
Zinfandel
Want to give your kitchen and your wallets a break after the holiday season? Try a pizza and inexpensive bottle of wine for dinner.
My recommendations this month will be a few different California Zinfandels that should pair quite well with a good pizza.
Debate exists around the origin of the grape itself, but it’s undeniable the American produced wine gave it the Zinfandel name, popularity and world wide appreciation. Zinfandel is commonly known as the American wine because it was first planted here in the early 1800s; and has been a strength of character throughout American wine production history.
Originally used as a blending grape, Zinfandel began its journey as the primary grape in wine making during 1960s. The mid-80s trend toward the White Zinfandel led to the grapes more widespread recognition. This “pink” wine is made by removing the skins of the zinfandel grape early on in the fermentation process (thus giving it much less color then the grape is capable of producing). This trend brought the Zinfandel grape into the limelight and opened the door to the wonders of its red wine.
Geneticists from University of California Davis have found the DNA of both Zinfandel and the Italian grape named Primitivo to be identical. Due to this discovery, many Italian producers export their Primitivo wine to America and label it Zinfandel. However, Primitivo was not planted in Italy until decades after it was being grown in America. Thus, the debate for the grape’s origin continued. Today, the most widely accepted theory is that the grape’s origin is actually a grape called crljenak kastelanski from Croatia.
Regardless of its origins, the grape continues to prosper in California. A red zinfandel is a full bodied wine packed with robust flavors. Common terminology for these intense flavors and aromas include blackberry, dark cherry, and boysenberry.
As an interesting side note, unlike many California grapes, Zinfandel thrives on an older vine; there are even a few Zinfandel vineyards that have vines over a century old. Ironically, even though the older vines are preferable, the wine itself should be enjoyed at a young age (two to four years).
Now that we’ve had a brief overview of Zinfandel History, let’s get back to the matter at hand, cheap dinner inclusive of a yummy wine.
Due to the full body and robust flavors mentioned previously, this wine will compliment the hearty sauce and delicious cheese on your pizza. Throw some sausage or other meat on your pizza and Zinfandel will further compliment this meal (Zinfandel’s are commonly paired with grilled meats).
Try one of the following Zinfandels for under $12 a bottle with your next pizza:
Rancho Zabaco, Sonoma County, Zinfandel, 2004 “Sonoma Heritage Vines”
Cline, Lodi, Zinfandel, 2005
Gnarly Head , Lodi, Zinfandel, 2005 “Old Vine Zin”
Eat, enjoy, and spare your wallet! Cheers.