The problem with reading alcohols and other assumptions about California Zinfandel

Winter mustards coming up between old vine Lodi Zinfandel

To truly grasp Lodi Zinfandel, it helps to understand how they compare with Zinfandels from other California wine regions

The problem is, there is a lot of misinformation out there; often perpetuated by journalists or, these days, by wine bloggers. In a recent “tips” blog, for instance, one helpful writer proffered these pearls of wisdom concerning California Zinfandel:

Feb 18, 2014 at 10:25 AM Permalink

Distinguished judges share thoughts on the 12 Zins of Lodi 2014

The 12 Zins of Lodi 2014 have been chosen by a jury of eight respected wine professionals, as a result of a formal tasting taking place in San Francisco this past February 5^th, organized by Charles Communications Associates for LoCA. These 12 Zinfandels were selected for being representative of the best of what the Lodi AVA has to offer today, in every price point; and samples will be sent out in care packages to media across the country.

The jurists made their selection after tasting a total of 57 Lodi grown Zinfandels in a double-blind format – meaning, they did not know the names of the brands (winery submissions were limited to two bottlings per winery). The envelope, please...

Feb 12, 2014 at 10:45 AM Permalink

The decidedly unknown (yet fantastic) Charbono grape

The near forgotten Charbono grape

In a recent polemic issued on his Web site, the widely read wine critic Robert M. Parker Jr. commented on the disproportionate attention paid to "unknown" grapes by some of the new "absolutists":

“What we also have from this group of absolutists is a near-complete rejection of some of the finest grapes and the wines they produce. Instead they espouse, with enormous gusto and noise, grapes and wines that are virtually unknown. That’s their number one criteria – not how good it is, but how obscure it is”

Feb 4, 2014 at 11:22 AM Permalink

Let us count the ways we love Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend

Wine & Chocolate lovers at Klinker Brick Winery

LODI’S 17th ANNUAL WINE & CHOCOLATE WEEKEND
February 8 & 9, 2014 | 11am – 4pm

Jan 29, 2014 at 11:48 AM Permalink

Lodi Zinfandels from Kirschenmann Vineyard blow a few minds at 2014 ZAP

Four Seasons ballroom set up for ZAP/HVS FLIGHTS Experience

I’m going to grow my hair down to my feet so strange
'Til I look like a walking mountain range
Ride into Omaha on a horse
Out to the country club and golf course
Carrying the New York Times
Shoot a few holes, blow their minds…

- Bob Dylan's I Shall Be Free No. 10

Kirschenmann Vineyard – a prototypical, own-rooted east-side Lodi Zinfandel planting dating back to 1915 – made a memorable debut as a vineyard-designate bottling by five different prestige winemakers in the ballroom of the luxurious Four Seasons San Francisco last week Friday (January 24, 2014).

Jan 27, 2014 at 12:06 PM Permalink

Giant leap taken by Lodi wines at 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competiton

Peirano’s Lance Randolph: old school Lodi winegrower, suddenly “hip” among wine judges

The results of the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition held earlier this month are in, and Lodi American Viticultural Area grown wines have fared better than ever!

Jan 20, 2014 at 2:45 PM Permalink

Appreciate Zinfandels like Picassos at LoCA sponsored ZAP TERROIR TASTING

You won't need flowers in your hair – just a true-blue enthusiasm for Zinfandel – to fit right in with the thousands of other wine lovers who will be flocking to San Francisco to attend the 2014 ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) TERROIR TASTING, co-sponsored by LoCA… that is, The Wines of Lodi, California.

Jan 17, 2014 at 3:47 PM Permalink

Three chicken dishes, endlessly surprising Lodi wine matches

Incoming Lodi Zinfandel: classic match for etoufee style chicken

Let's talk chicken and wine matches. ¿Por qué?

Jan 15, 2014 at 4:14 PM Permalink Comments (1)

What a wine lover wants in 2014

The face of “new” wine lovers at 2013 Lodi ZinFest

What are wine lovers looking for in 2014? Whatever it is, you can be sure that the Lodi is in the thick of it — as America’s largest American Viticultural Area, it has to be. Let's break it down, according to some of the buzz we are hearing in the opening days of the New Year:

Jan 9, 2014 at 4:42 PM Permalink

Best Lodi Wine Country photos of 2013 (part 2)

Lodi’s future, as it has been since the 1850s, lies in the next generation — like Chiara Colarossi, here checking out the 2013 Zinfandel harvest in Bob and Alison Colarossi’s Stellina estate

Welcome to 2014!

The second half of 2013 was dominated, of course, by the Lodi Wine Country harvest. Vintage 2013 was among the earliest on record: white wine and sparkling wine grapes — such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — were being picked by the end of the first week of August, at least two weeks sooner than usual. More exotic white wine grapes — such as Albariño, Verdelho and Kerner (a German crossing of Riesling x Trollinger) — came in soon after. A warm summer had a lot to do with the hastened harvest; but mostly, it was because the spring bud break and flowering occurred at least two weeks earlier than usual.

Jan 2, 2014 at 5:05 PM Permalink