Baby it’s cold
outside! And when the temperature drops, it makes you want to snuggle up with a
hearty red wine. One of my favorite wines to cozy up to is red Zinfandel from California, made from
one of the heartiest and most robust of the red grapes. Zins offer plenty of
body along with rich berry flavors, spice and a smooth structure, perfect for
sipping in front of an open fire or at the table with full-flavored, winter
fare.
To view featured Zins, click HERE:
To view featured Zins, click HERE:
The Four Vines 'Truant' 2011 is a wine with much to recommend it. At only $10.99, it’s a notch
above the competition in finesse and smoothness, with a core of spicy berry
fruit and a judicious use of oak. Medium to full-bodied, it’s a Zin that
bridges the gap between cheap and cheerful and the big boys.
Another
favorite of mine is the Mettler 2012 Old Vines Lodi Zinfandel 'Epicenter.' A
powerful, full-bodied wine, it has a darker fruit tone than many Zins, with
rich blackberries that resonate with an earthy, gravelly complexity. The wine
has great balance and pairs well with a variety of full-flavored dishes. A
particularly memorable meal I had included the Mettler Lodi Zin and a
spit-roasted Peruvian chicken! Another steal at $16.99.
It will come as no surprise that the 2012 Ridge Three Valleys is both an
excellent value and a wine to savor on a special occasion, as well. There are aromas
of ripe raspberry and black pepper, and dark fruit comes on as it opens up in
the glass. The tannins are sweet and contribute to the soft mouth-feel. The
richness of the fruit is balanced by nice acidity. As we've come to
expect from Ridge, it’s a delicious and balanced wine that works well with a
variety of foods or on its own. $24.99.
-Christian Botta
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