Totally ZIN at ZAP-Fest
The ZAP-Fest, an annual gathering of Zinfandel fanatics in San Francisco by the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) was everything I had heard that it was, and more. Not your usual namby-pamby gathering, it was an exciting delight from the start of its 3 days of creativity, to the Grand Tasting that filled two large buildings with over 200 wineries at Fort Mason, with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop. 8,000 guests poured over the wines offered.
It was the 20th ZAP gathering so a Roaring 20’s theme was cut loose and burst through expectations with new ways to learn about this grape with a strong European influence. This “used-to-be” jug wine with boyish fruit and high alcohol, has its roots in such far away places as Campania, Italy, where it is known as Primitivo, with traces of this varietal verified across the Adriatic, in Croatia. Cuttings were brought to California in the 1820s from Austrian sources who gave it the Germanic name. It grew vigorously and later in the 1900s became popular as a blush wine, White Zinfandel.
Old vines were preserved for their lengthy production Joel Peterson, founder and winemaker for Ravenswood since its beginnings in 1976, is also one of the founders of ZAP. He is also a member of the 2011 Vintners Hall of Fame as the Zinfandel Pioneer who held the varietal together and changed its perception to that of a premier, premium wine. Joel works with over 100 plus growers that provide grapes for Ravenswood, which offers a huge variety and range of Zins, from the Vintners Blend Zin, seen in most supermarkets, to select vineyard premiums from Napa Valley, Sonoma and Lodi ( $35.) www.ravenswood.com.
Other Zin favorites at the festival included: BR Cohn Sonoma Valley($28.), Bogle Old Vine Zin from Lodi($11.), V Sattui Winery Napa Valley make 12 different styles of Zin($36.), Seghesio Family Wineries has won world-wide awards for its 6 collections of estate Zins ($36.), Pedroncelli in Sonoma has scored well with its Mother Clone Old Vine and Dry Rosè of Zin($15.), and a newcomer, Wine Guerrilla of Sonoma is worth a try($30.). The next Zinfandel Festival is in Paso Robles, March 18 to 20. From great Paso Zins, food from master chefs and auctions, there are many ways to enjoy this major event. See all the options at www.pasowine.com.
Wine Bytes
- Il Farro Italian Restaurant in Newport Beach has a Sardinian Wine Dinner Thurs. March 10 at 6:30pm. Wine owners Pina and Francesco Soletta will present the wines. $59. pp. Call 949-723-5711.
- Orfila Winery in Escondido has a 8-wine blind tasting Thurs. March 10 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. $25. ea. includes a “How to Taste guide”. Top score wins a bottle of Orfila Wine. Call 800-868-9463.
- Cakebread Wines are the select feature at the Wine Bank in the Gaslamp, downtown San Diego Fri. March 11 from 6 to 8pm. Cost is $20. for Napa Valley’s elite wines. Details at 619-234-7487.
- Canapes in the San Marcos Restaurant Row has the Robert Hall wines for a tasting Sun. March 13 from 3 to 6 p.m. $10. pp includes paired appetizers. RSVP at 760-510-2088.
- Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas has a Treana Winemaker Dinner Mon. March 14 at 6:30pm. These wines are some of Paso Robles’s best. Cost is $59. Reserve your place at 760-635-1066.
- Il Fornaio at the Del Mar Plaza has its next Festa Regionale with a salute to the wine and food of the Trentino- Alto Adige districts of Italy, March 6 to 20. Local wines andfood featured. See www.ilfornaio.com.
Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading wine commentators on the web. View his columns at www.tasteofwinetv.com. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
