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The Wine RackBy Suzanne and Parks Hall
TOP PICK We love Zinfandels, especially the ones that make you sit up and take notice with the first swallow. Rancho Zabaco makes more than one. They're all good. We just happen to really like this one. So be sure to read the label carefully if you want to try this deep red wine filled with the aromas of spice, anise and tobacco. Dark, black fruit flavors dominate here. We tasted black cherries, blackberries and some blueberries complemented by spice, anise, tobacco and wood. This is a dry, full-bodied and assertive Zinfandel with nice tannins. Very drinkable now, it's also a candidate for a few years aging. Steak comes to mind when drinking this wine, especially grilled steaks. But it's also a good match for venison, duck, goose and game hens. Also, try it with barbecued chicken or ribs, sausages, spicy Italian dishes and full-flavored cheeses. Since it's a burly kind of wine, keep the preparations simple. This is a wine for hearty, not elegant, dishes. OTHER GOOD BETS THIS MONTH Yes, we did a Willm wine last month, but with Thanksgiving just around the corner, we wanted to alert you to this delicious wine that goes so well with turkey. Although the name is German, the wine is from Alsace in France. Gold in color with a tinge of green, this Gewurtz has an aromatic aroma that gets the saliva flowing before you even taste it. Well balanced and crisp, with bit of sugar, this wine also will pair with pork and most Asian dishes. 2000 Not as acidic as some Fume (or Sauvignon) Blancs, this latest bottling from St. Jean is a clean tasting, refreshing wine with an herb and vegetable nose and layers of citrus, pear and other fruit flavors. Well balanced and moderately dry, it's a good substitute for Chardonnay at wedding receptions when fish, shellfish and chicken are on the menu. It also will complement your roast Turkey on Thanksgiving Day. -Updated 11-04-01- Back to the Wine Rack index page |
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Drinking wine is fun. But many people make it too complicated. That's why for more than 10 years, we've tried hundreds of wines and shared what we've discovered with newspaper, magazine and now Travellady.com readers. Our approach to wine tasting may not be scientific. But it is down-to-earth. Since we believe wine and food are a natural combination, we consider that when trying wines and make pairing suggestions for every wine we recommend. You may not agree with all our choices. But you can be assured that the wines we recommend, whether priced at $10 or $40, represent good value. And speaking of prices, please remember that they can vary from city to city and that some wines may not be available everywhere.