Zinfandel is a versatile grape that can be produced in a range of styles and pairs wonderfully with a veritable cornucopia of foods. The calendar says June, which means it’s Grilling Season and nearly anything pulled off your grill will absolutely crush it with good Zinfandel. I just participated in a virtual tasting where we sampled four Zins from Legendary Vineyards. Site is as important for Zinfandel as any other grape, perhaps more so than most. You can read more about the importance of vineyards to Zinfandel in my recent story, ”Excellent Zinfandel Begins with Legendary Vineyards.” And while the vineyards discussed in that story are different than those sourced below, the truths about great vineyards remain the same.
Berryessa Gap 2017 Zinfandel ($22)
I’ve tasted several vintages of this wine now and I’ve come away impressed each time. They have the Primitivo Clone planted in their vineyard. If you’re looking for outstanding value, this wine will set off your QPR Alarm Bells. It’s It's fruit, spicy, nuanced and proportionate, all for $22. Winemaker Nicole Salengo is doing impressive things in Yolo County, keep an eye out for Berryessa Gap.
Robert Biale Vineyards 2018 Old Kraft Vineyard Zinfandel ($55)
Old Kraft Vinetard in St. Helena was planted in the 1890's. Robert Biale Vineyards has been producing a wine from it since 2006. They spent some years prior to that revitalizing the vineyard as it needed some TLC. The effort was clearly worth it. Black cherries, savory herbs, pepper, & a hint of raspberry all represent. Vineyard specific Zinfandel is Biale's Bailiwick, and they Nail this one cold.
Armida 2017 Maple Vineyards Zinfandel ($44)
Dry Creek Valley is studded with Legendary Zinfandel Vineyards. The Maple Vineyard grows some of the most famous and sought after Zinfandel out there. A number of producers source from it so you can find several different examples of “Maple Zin” out there. Armida’s is stuffed with black fruit such as raspberry and plum for days. It also features impeccable structure, bits of earth and a closing kiss of spice. A fine example of Zinfandel from a legendary Dry Creek Valley Vineyard.
Pedroncelli Winery 2017 Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel ($26)
Pedroncelli’s legendary Mother Clone was the first Zinfandel that ever touched my lips back in the early 90’s. That’s still a great wine one vintage after the next. This single vineyard effort is a bigger, bolder, spicier, dare I say Zinnier wine. It comes from a vineyard that’s been a known associate of the Pedroncelli Family since 1943. The wine is driven by blackberry, boysenberry and plum pudding spices. All the bold dark fruit is buttressed by oodles of spice and a slinky vein of minerals, earth and sweet dark chocolate . Take some Memphis Style Ribs off the grill and pair it with this!
I paired these wines with a burger that I topped with Sweet and Spicy Onion Jam (recipe below) and Smoked Cheddar on a homemade Sourdough Bun. One of the positives of being at home all the time lately is that I finally had the time and motivation to get a Sourdough Starter going. I followed the recipe featured on Feasting At Home. I recently discovered this Food Blog written by PNW Chef Sylvia Fountaine and I’ve made a number of her recipes. It’s a fantastic site and I urge you to check it out. I used her recipe for Sourdough Buns to make what I used as my Hamburger Buns. They were easy to make and tasty to the point of being downright delightful. On the side of the burger I served Mixed Greens with Fire Roasted Beets, topped with Raspberry Vinaigrette and Cotija Cheese. The flavors on my plate spanned both sweet and savory. I tried each of the Zins above as I ate my meal and they all worked fabulously. The salad with the sweetness from the beets and dressing was contrasted by the savory cheese and paired particularly nicely with the Berryesa Gap and Pedroncelli Wines. The Biale and Armida were perfectly in tune with the burger. It was a great, simple meal paired with four excellent examples of Zinfandel.