WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

At time of writing it is Thursday April 12th, and you know what that means. Tomorrow is the randomly rotating holiday of Friday the 13th! It’s the day we set aside to celebrate one of the longest and most profitable motion picture franchises in history. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this momentous holiday than with a wine that is just as notorious, powerful, enigmatic, and just as ass-kicking as an immortal psycho camper in a hockey mask: It’s Zinfandel!

Zinfandel is called the “American Heritage Grape”. Technically it’s the same grape as the Primitivo Grape in Italy’s Apulia, but after several hundred years on two separate continents they’re as different as Isabella Rossellini and Nicholas Cage. Heck, there’s even proof that Zinfandel was planted in the United States before it was planted in Italy. Take that Primitivo! So considering it’s been planted here so long, and the fact that it’s seldom produced anywhere else, it has become a national icon and is just as American as apple pie, baseball, and paying taxes. Pa– . . . taxes! Arrgh! That’s right! Tax day: A holiday more feared than Friday the 13th! Uncle Sam in a hockey mask!

Alright, alright. I planned it this way. Zinfandel, as well as being a (now) American grape, an important part in American History, and a source of pride for the American people and Zinfandel producers alike, it also tends to be high in alcohol. I figured we would all need that extra punch for this weekend in case anyone still hasn’t prepared their tax returns. I mean, wine can be used as a deduction, right? (Well . . . personally I can do it.) After all, we all can perform math better after a few glasses of good red, right? For the rest of us, it’s a good time to kick back and reflect on all the important things our hard-earned tax dollars are affording right now. (And then reflect again on the high-in-alcohol thing.)

So this week I’ve got another selection of old favorites and new-and-noteworthy. Specifically on the “New” front is the Plungerhead Zinfandel which features another new and innovative non-cork enclosure! (It’s a plunger. Go figure.) Also we’ve got the brand new Zinfandel from The Pines vineyard out there in the Gorge. Also, the Extra-Extra pour this week is the Dashe Late-Harvest Zinfandel. This is some delicious and decadent stuff! Another thing to think about is the fact that all these Zins are from the 2005 Vintage! Did I plan it that way? Kinda.

So Friday, April 13th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Zinfandel!!!
Rosenblum 2005 Zinfandel, Paso Robles, California
Cline 2005 Ancient Vines Zinfandel, Contra Costa County, California
Plungerhead 2005 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, California
Buehler 2005 Zinfandel, Napa Valley, Califorina
Ridge 2005 Three Valleys, Sonoma County, California

Yes, Even More Zinfandel!!
Girard 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel, Napa Valley, California
The Pines 2005 Zinfandel, Columbia Gorge, Oregon

And, Yes, Even MORE More Zinfandel, Still For Cystic Fibrosis!!!
Dashe 2005 Late-Harvest Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, California

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours, and $5 for the Charity Pour.
Hope to see you here!

Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting is Wines of Washington!

M