Zinfandel

Review of York Creek 2007 MXB
Wine

Happy Hour: York Creek 2007 MXB

Last night I attended an interesting wine tasting hosted by Nirvino — the social networking drink-rating website and awesome wine app for the iPhone.
by partysugar

Last night I attended an interesting wine tasting hosted by Nirvino — the social networking drink-rating website and awesome wine app for the iPhone. The wines were all from wineries who source the grapes in vineyards, but make the wines in urban areas like San Francisco and Oakland. My favorite wine was a provocative red from York Creek, the MXB Zinfandel Blend. The MXB stands for "mixed black" and refers to an old California-style field blend of red grapes like Barbera, Grenache, Carignane, etc. The 2007 MXB is a seductive wine with a smooth finish, jammy flavor, and deep, dark color. It's a rich mountain wine that's easy to drink and even easier to like.

While I sipped it solo, it would pair wonderfully with everything from a juicy cheeseburger to a comforting plate of macaroni and cheese. Do you enjoy red wine blends?

Drinking (and Eating) My Way Through ZAP
Wine

Drinking (and Eating) My Way Through ZAP

Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend one of my favorite events of the year: the Zinfandel Advocate and Producers (or ZAP) annual festival.
by partysugar

Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend one of my favorite events of the year: the Zinfandel Advocate and Producers (or ZAP) annual festival. On Thursday night I participated in a walk-around food and wine tasting. A bunch of wineries pair up with local restaurants and caterers who create a small dish to pair with the wine. Attending this sort of event is a great way to learn about pairing food and wine because you can really taste which pairings work well and which don't work so well. Saturday was the grand walk-around tasting with hundreds of wineries pouring Zin barrel samples, new releases, and premium wine. I snapped a bunch of pictures that better illustrate my experience.

View 21 Photos ›

To see what was my favorite pairing and pour, check out the images after the break.

Q&A With Winemaker Joel Peterson, Founder of Ravenswood Winery
Wine

Wine Wisdom From Ravenswood Founder Joel Peterson

At a tasting recently, I had the opportunity to get acquainted with California pioneer vintner, Joel Peterson.
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At a tasting recently, I had the opportunity to get acquainted with California pioneer vintner, Joel Peterson. In 1976, he founded Ravenswood Winery, one of the country's preeminent Zinfandel producers. More than 30 years later, he remains Ravenswood's head winemaker.

Joel's love for life and sense of humor were so infectious that I couldn't resist getting his insight into the world of wine. Learn more about his inspiration, as well as his tips for enjoying wine on a budget, when you read more

Dessert Wines Poll
Wine

Do You Like Dessert Wines?

Do You Like Dessert Wines?
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Happy Hour: XYZin 100-Year-Old Vine Zinfandel 2006
red wine

Happy Hour: XYZin 100-Year-Old Vine Zinfandel 2006

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers wine tasting.
by partysugar

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers wine tasting. One of the best wines I tasted was this bottle of old vine Zin. An old vine Zinfandel comes from grapes grown on vines that were planted in California many years ago. While XYZin has delightful offerings from 10- and 50-year-old vines, I found the pour from the 100-year vines to be the most robust, flavorful, and complex. It's a smooth, but serious wine with a full body, jammy taste, and fruity aroma. Unlike some bold Zins, XYZin's is neither too spicy or tannic. Although we enjoyed this wine alone, it longs for food and would pair well with everything from creamy cheese to thick-cut steak. At $45, it's not the cheapest bottle of wine, but it's worth the splurge and would be perfect for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner.

Do you drink Zinfandel? What's your favorite bottle?

Noteworthy Nibbles — Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2009
Wine

Noteworthy Nibbles — Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2009

Now that the holidays are over, food, and drink events are back in full force across the nation.
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Now that the holidays are over, food, and drink events are back in full force across the nation. This month is all about restaurant week dining deals, from New York to Miami to Los Angeles. Some of them last into next week, so right now's the time to take advantage of affordable meals. If we've missed anything, please let us know in the comments!

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Father of The Vine?
Wine

Father of The Vine?

If he were still alive, today would be the 195th birthday of Agoston Haraszthy de Mokcsa (pictured, left).
by partysugar


If he were still alive, today would be the 195th birthday of Agoston Haraszthy de Mokcsa (pictured, left). A Hungarian immigrant, Haraszthy was invited to the United States in 1840 by a group of Democrats that included Daniel Webster. Believed by some to be the father of the California wine industry, Haraszthy did much to promote and enhance the agriculture and viticulture of the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1857 he purchased a large plot of land in Sonoma and began planting grapevines sent from in Europe. At one point many people accredited Haraszthy with the introduction of the Zinfandel vine, however it is now an honor thought to be shared by several different pioneers. Still, Haraszthy's major contributions to the wine world were cemented earlier this year when he was inducted in the Vintners Hall of Fame. Happy Birthday ol' Haraszthy!

Source: Wikipedia
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Zinfandel
Wine

Definition: Zinfandel

Zinfandel A variety of red grape used to make wine.
by partysugar


Zinfandel
A variety of red grape used to make wine. The first Zinfandel vineyards were planted in Calfiornia in the 1830s. It is thought to be the state's most widely planted grape.

Zinfandel is used to make sparkling wines, white wine, light reds, and more complex reds.

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