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From: c-hunt@tesla.UUCP (Charles Hunt)
Newsgroups: net.wines
Subject: Re: Anybody like Zinfandel?
Message-ID: <366@tesla.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 17-May-84 14:03:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: tesla.366
Posted: Thu May 17 14:03:28 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 18-May-84 06:16:42 EDT
References: <166@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Cornell Electrical Eng.
Lines: 38

I also love Zinfandel... and it is usually very reasonable in price.
There seem to be three popular styles: 1)BIG and HEAVY zin (often
from Amador County, CA), 2)medium body, and 3)white zinfandel.  Here
are some of my experiences:
1) BIG and HEAVY:
-1979 Montevina "Special Selection": complex, tannic, needs flavorful
 and rich food to stand up to it; a bargain at $6; needs lots of aging

-1980 Ridge AMADOR: not as heavy as above, but perfectly balanced and
 flavorful.  The best BIG wine I've ever tried. A steal at $6.

-1980 Montevina estate bottled: not as big as the 79 above; very hot (15%
 alcohol); at $5, it's ok, but I won't buy it again.

-1980 Beringer Napa Valley: Full of flavors, but coy with a funny sweetness;
 the aftertaste made you want to eat quick to get the taste out. $6.50

-1980 Burgess Napa Valley: Much too young to drink; giant tannin, flavor that
 kicks you over: you'd have to drink it with straight blue cheese or something
 that powerful... No regular meal could stand up to it. $6.50

2)Medium bodied Zin
-1980 Shenandoah Vineyards: great aroma and flavor; classic Amador wine; short
 on the finish; $5, a great price.  Perfect with a cheesey lasagna.

-1977 Sebastiani "Proprietor's Reserve": I can't imagine liking a Zin more than
 this one. At $5.50, a steal. Balanced, fruity, aroma+, long finish. Try it

-Almaden zin, Sebastiani Country zin, Inglenook Navelle zin... cheap zin is the
 worst thing in a bottle: buy Monterey Vineyards Classic Red or Christian Bros.
 Burgundy.  They're cheaper and better hearty reds.

3)White Zin
-1982 Sutter Home Amador White Zin.  I tried a glass once and seem to recall
 that it was nice. This stuff is really the going thing now: I have friends
 who like it better than any other white, except with seafood.  For that, get a
 good chardonnay or sauvignon blanc. The other white zins are popular, too.