Sonoma Zinfandel Red Wines

A wine country gift basket favorite

2004 St. Francis

Sonoma Zinfandel Old Vines

12 Pack Price: $224.99

($18.75 per bottle)

Zinfandel Wine Making
Sonoma County wine country comprises a million acres of gorgeous hills and mountain sides – a place best suited for growing high quality wine grapes. The soil in Sonoma County ranges from rich to volcanic providing perfect chemistry for growing top quality grapes and old vine Zinfandel.

Attributes of the Best Red Zinfandel
Sonoma County Zinfandel wines grow on some very old vineyards. Most of these vineyards are found in the Dry Creek Valley. Growers and farmers in that region have certain specific areas pointed out where Zinfandel thrives. The Zinfandel produced in these areas is very special and distinct from the grapes produced in other parts of America. Zinfandel has been grown in California since the 1850s and was originally from Croatia. In Sonoma County there are still vines that are over 100 years-old.

The Sonoma Zinfandel wines are excellent because of the cool and even temperatures during the summer season. The purity and brightness of these lovely red-fruited wines is also due to these temperatures. These wines age very well and are immediately accessible. The harvest depends on the ripeness and balance of acidity. The grapes are stemmed and crushed in such a way that large portions of the berries remain in the must. Rich flavors and deep color is extracted during the fermentation process carried out in steel tanks.

Making Red Zinfandel Wine
The new growers are even more determined to improve the quality of Sonoma Zinfandel. Some of the producers make Sonoma Zinfandel that is light and fruity while others go for a Port-like dessert wine. Often, at the core of the Sonoma Zinfandel, you will find the freshness of ripe berry fruit enhanced with blackberry fruit patches enhanced by vanillin oak. You will also find Cabernet-like notes of cassis and black current and a nose of black cherry-blackberry fruit.

A food and wine favorite
Red Zinfandel’s wide range of expressions complements a vast variety of food whether it is a light meal or black pepper and the spiciest of sausages. Many find that Zinfandel has concentrated spiciness and balanced acidity. Its richness, depth and a subtle quality always seems to complement the dark fruit flavors. Best for picnics and parties, it can handle sophistication as well.

Some of the best vintages were 2002, 2004 and 2008. You can buy this wine online but some of the best wines are only available at the wineries so it is well worth a visit. A good place to start, Healdsburg, is in Sonoma County's wine country close to the vineyards of Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and the Russian River Valley. There you can find small barrel aging and some of the best wines that collectors and wine enthusiasts are willing to pay big to enjoy. Luckily you don't have to look hard to find a great wine at a reasonable price.

These are wines that are balanced, so they should age well in the cellar to soften the tannins, yet are immediately accessible and almost elegant for Zinfandel. Part of their appeal is that wine lovers consistently say they would buy this wine again.

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Zinfandel Wine

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