Letters from Lodi
An insightful and objective look at viticulture and winemaking from the Lodi
Appellation and the growers and vintners behind these crafts. Told from the
perspective of multi-award winning wine journalist, Randy Caparoso.
A tribute to a family patriarch: Viñedos Aurora’s new Don Victor
The 2010 Viñedos Aurora Don Victor Lodi Reserva de la Casa ($39) is a deep, dark, brawny and rippling red wine; produced from Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Petite Sirah (40%) sourced completely from the 40-acre Clements Hills-Lodi AVA vineyard farmed by the four Anaya brothers – Victor Jr., Ramon, Armando and Gerardo.
Despite the Don Victor's swarthy masculinity, there is also a sweet note of blueberryish fruit singing the wine's sun bronzed Lodi origin, while mildly smoky, vanillin French oak adds a brush of elegance – think of a smiling, raggedy haired Viggo Mortensen in a velvet jacket, right about to break some ankles.
Continue »Photo memories: ZinFest is more than about wine, it’s about the people of Lodi
Who comes to Lodi for its annual ZinFest? At least 4,000 devotees of Delta grown grapes each year.
To be more specific, Lodi wine lovers coming from as far away as Florida, Texas, New York and Colorado; plus, in 2014, exactly 38 of them from Vancouver, Canada…
Continue »Da’ music and green, green grass of Lodi ZinFest
At ZinFest Wine Festival, Lodi grown wines set the stage, the towering weeping willows and ancient valley oaks make the scene, and the green, green grass of Lodi Lake Park makes for a one, giant, lush, pillowy carpet for your feet, which you always find movin’ with the groovin’ of the music that fills the air.
Here’s what will be happening this coming Saturday at 2014′s really-big-show...
Continue »Downtown Lodi’s Wine Social wine bar is a cozy corner for wine lovers
Wine tasting is fun; and good wine, sipped in healthy moderation, stimulates both mind and body. And so naturally, good wines also perk conversation, ushering moments of eloquence or, at the very least, some semblance of sanity in our lives – just the thing to unwind, tune in, and drop out, if only for a few glorious minutes.
Continue »Grape Goddess, the perfect salad for Zinfandel, and bevy of new stuff at Lodi ZinFest!
The 2014 Lodi ZinFest Wine Festival, taking place next week Saturday, May 17, will be funner and more educational than ever!
Continue »Swirl, sniff, sip, spit, then shop hard-to-get wines at the ZinFest Wine Festival
The ZinFest Wine Festival on Saturday, May 17, 2014 will be an opportunity to taste over 200 wines representing the incredible diversity of winegrowing going on in the Lodi American Viticultural Area.
We mean that figuratively, of course. Please don't taste all 200+ wines – we don't want to carry you out on a stretcher.
Continue »For the love of culinary grapes at TAPAS Grand Wine Tasting
For the Love of Culinary Grapes
Do you enjoy alternative style wines veering off from the usual heavy handed, ripe or oaky style typical of “California” wine? Then you should seriously consider attending the Grand Wine Tasting sponsored by TAPAS – that is, the Tempranillo Advocates Producers and Amigos Society – this Sunday, June 27, 2012 (2-5 PM) in San Francisco’s Goldent Gate Club at The Presidio.
Continue »Spring flings by Bokisch – a house built by Albariño, and much more
"Lodi proves to be perfect for Albariño," is the heading of Bokisch Vineyards' latest blog on their Web site.
"The Albariño grape is originally from the Rías Baixas wine region in Galicia, Spain," they go on to explain; "an area that is characterized by wet, foggy winters and mild summers. Not necessarily an obvious choice for transplanting to Lodi, but it turns out it was a smart choice. Many great wines are being produced from Lodi AVA and its sub-regions. "
Continue »Lodi Native vintners to introduce their unique Zinfandels at ZinFest Wine School
At the Lodi ZinFest Wine Festival taking place in the pristine riparian setting of Lodi Lake Park on Saturday, May 17, 2014, Lodi wine lovers will have the opportunity to taste and discover for themselves what the fuss is all about concerning the Lodi Native™ Zinfandels, which made their debut at the end of March.
All seven of the vignerons behind the Lodi Native project will present their wines under the ZinFest Wine School tent. The particulars…
Continue »Eight years of ZinFest poster’s red haired muse
Lodi ZinFest is celebrating its 10th year in 2014. The beautiful, mysterious "red headed girl" depicted in each year's ZinFest poster is making only her eighth appearance; but now, what would any ZinFest be without her?
Continue »