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.
Deep thoughts on Uvaggio Vermentino
Vermentino in Lodi's Bella Vigna Vineyard
“Time changes everything,” goes that old, wonderful song by Tommy Duncan, sung with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys....
Vermentino is one of those exotic sounding wine grapes that are still foreign to most Americans. We’re devoting an entire blog to this emerging variety produced by a winemaker/owner named Jim Moore: the 2013 Uvaggio Lodi Vermentino ($14). Not because we’re trying to show off our wine I.Q., or the fact that that we can play wine-trivial-pursuit with the snootiest of sommeliers; but because it is a genuinely amazing dry white wine that deserves an unabashed shut-out. Or at least an occasional blogpost of its own.
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Feb 29, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Zinfandel (and ZAP) at a crossroads
Wintering 100-year-old Zinfandel in McCay's Lot 13 on Lodi's east side
This is the Big Week for Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (a.k.a. ZAP): their annual Experience in San Francisco, self-billed as “the world’s largest single varietal wine tasting event.”
This year, three days of seminars and parties are capped by a “Grand Tasting” at Pier 27 on the Embarcadero on Saturday, February 27, 2016; when consumers may pick and sip among hundreds of wines, produced by California’s finest Zinfandel specialists. A literal Bacchanal.
Though, these are funny times for Zinfandel. As a varietal, it is still an awkward, bratty, painfully hormonal adolescent... Continue »
Comments (3)Where to find Lodi's alternative style wines during Wine & Chocolate Weekend
Wine & Chocolate Weekend in Lodi's Harmony Wynelands
Are you ready for Lodi's Wine & Chocolate Weekend? We are!
One of the things that excites Lodi wine lovers the most these days is that the region is no longer just about Zinfandel, Lodi's pièce de resistance. Nor is it only about “standard” varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, however wonderful they may be.
Continue » Feb 11, 2016 at 10:20 AM
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Lodi wine and chocolate - seduction at first sight
Cacao pods in the raw (before turned into culinary sexiness)
For the past four vintages the official co-sponsor of our Lodi Wine & Chocolate celebration – in 2016, taking place this Saturday and Sunday, February 13-14 – has been BRIX Chocolate (commercial message: it is not too late to get your passes online at lodiwineandchocolate.com!).
Continue » Feb 8, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Beyond Super Bowl 50: why you should be in Lodi!
San Francisco's Alexandra Fondren (here, at Lodi ZinFest) shares her favorite things to do in Lodi wine country
Attention Super Bowl 50 visitors: where is the place to be this weekend or following the Big Day?
Why, in California wine country, of course. Not just any part of California; even better, the historic Lodi wine region, which was recently named the 2015 Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Continue » Feb 5, 2016 at 2:00 PM
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MK Zinfandel - agonies and ecstasies of micro-scaled wine
Michael Klouda sampling one of his MK Zinfandel barrels
In the world of wine, there are always Davids and Goliaths.
Continue » Feb 1, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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