See below for what happened.........

Zinfandel - America’s Grape

Our Chapter participates in the National 2009 Zinfandel – America’s Grape judging event.  Like the interesting, well-attended February Tasting, this will be a blind tasting.

 Each attendee will be provided the 20 point American Wine Evaluation Sheet to score each wine.  Your results will be anonymously recorded and forwarded to AWS National for inclusion with all of the Chapters across the United States and Canada.  Results will be available at the Fall AWS National Conference as well as a future AWS Journal publication.

Aperitif

Pepperwood Grove Old Vine Zinfandel - California

The Wines

Wine #1:  Paso Robles Zinfandel

 Wines #2 & 3:  Sonoma County Zinfandel

 Wines #4 & 5:  Lodi-Amador Zinfandel

 Wine #6:  California Blended Zinfandel

Cheese and Bread will accompany the wines.  Coffee and Dessert will follow the tasting.   Please bring your own glasses & pens.  No smoking or strong fragrances, please. 

Attendees recognize they will consume alcohol and assume responsibility of having done so.

Attendance will be limited to the first 32

Reservation deadline is Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

Members  $21.00            Guests   $25.00

What Happened.........

This blind tasting was organized and presented by Frank and Jackie Carson.  Twenty one members attended and scored the wines.  Other similar tastings are to be held at AWS Chapters with the composite results published in an AWS Newsletter.

 Zinfandel is celebrated as one of California’s oldest wine varietals.  Records indicate that Zinfandel arrived in California before the Civil War. The grape is indigenous to Croatia (called Crljenak Kaštelanski) and it is also related to Southern Italy’s Primitivo grape.  Zinfandel was first grown in the U.S. during the 1820’s by George Gibbs, a horticulturist on Long Island.  These initial vines likely came from the Imperial Nursery in Vienna, Austria. 

 Members evaluated 6 wines without comments until after the scores for each wine were recorded.  The American Wine Society’s 20 point scoring method was used (Appearance - 3 points maximum, Aroma/Bouquet - 6, Taste/Texture - 6, Aftertaste - 3, and Overall Impression - 2.).  Four California Zinfandel wine regions/styles were represented (Paso Robles, Sonoma County, Lodi, and a California blend). 

The average scores and prices for each wine:

                                   Wine                                               Score               Price/Bottle

2006  Peachy Canyon “Incredible Red”, Paso Robles               12.2                     $9.89

2007  Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel                            14.8                   $19.99

2005  Ravenswood Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel           12.6                   $12.99

2006  Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi                            13.4                     $8.99

2006  7 Deadly Zins - Michael & David Phillips, Lodi                 13.8                   $13.49

2006  Rancho Zabaco “Dancing Bull Zinfandel”,  California        12.9                     $6.29

 The top to bottom rated average scores were separated by only 2.6 points.  According to the AWS 20 point maximum scoring method, wines rated “good” range from 12 to 14 and wines rated “excellent” range from 15 to 17.

Examples of comments on these wines included:  fruit descriptors (berry, dark berry fruit, chewable red dark fruit, several berry fruits, bright red & black berry, intense mouth filling fruit), jammy, hot (higher alcohol levels), long finish, peppery, spicy, and Chocolate.  These are just a few sensations that one might experience from America’s grape, Zinfandel.

The wines were served with a selection of very good cheeses, Parmigiano - Reggiano, Irish Cheddar, and Cambozola, and there was coffee and desserts to conclude.