"quafable zinfandels"?

here is a link to a story whose first couple of lines have me puzzled. I wouldn't have thought to describe wines that average 15% alcohol as 'quafable'.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinat ... ning_N.htm

And that's because you're looking at it through wine geek spectacles, David.

If you look at it more as a 'casual connoiseur' who is interested in a nice day or weekend trip, some scenery, a few wineries (maybe with art galleries, or maybe in a castle, or a tramride up a hill), with a nice meal at the end of the day, then you've got a different take----a take that includes a quaffable zinfandel, as opposed to a big, hulking, oak-laden cabernet.

Hit: a lot of people just defined don't actually read the fine print alcohol levels on the label. They don't know it's higher alcohol than it used to be. They know only that it is what is in front of them. And I have to say: even with higher alcohol than I like, I'd quaff a good zin over a Napa cab almost every time.

(Notice I said "good zin". That sorta leaves out a lot of zinfandels right there. Leaves out all the syrupy, jammy, monsters; of course, I don't think of them as zinfandel anyway.)

I like the corpses propped up in front of the bar. Very chic.

And I have to say: even with higher alcohol than I like, I'd quaff a good zin over a Napa cab almost every time.

(Notice I said "good zin". That sorta leaves out a lot of zinfandels right there. Leaves out all the syrupy, jammy, monsters; of course, I don't think of them as zinfandel anyway.)

Well said. There are producers (Dashe, Nalle, Storybook, Swan, Storrs, Ridge, Dry Creek Vineyards) who produce zins I consider quaffable. I'll note that there are plenty of 14% zins that don't seem hot to me, seems to handle better than some other grapes (once you get over 15%, more bothersome)

Must not forget the Four Vines Zin, very quaffable indeed.

Hey, I have to wonder what my upcoming 5000th post will be on!!!

sorry guys; but my inner dictionary seems to think that if if i'm not taking a couple of decent swollows at a time, i'm not quafing. for zin? i double dog dare ya.

Hey, I have to wonder what my upcoming 5000th post will be on!!!

Any prizes for the 5000th post?

And I have to say: even with higher alcohol than I like, I'd quaff a good zin over a Napa cab almost every time.
)

I'd quaff a bad Zin over a NapaCab anyday, Hoke.....well...unless maybe it's a Coturri!!

We ate at Diavolo back in Sept and was mightly impressed...my kind of food.

Tom

And I have to say: even with higher alcohol than I like, I'd quaff a good zin over a Napa cab almost every time.
)

I'd quaff a bad Zin over a NapaCab anyday, Hoke.....well...unless maybe it's a Coturri!!

We ate at Diavolo back in Sept and was mightly impressed...my kind of food.

Tom

That's why some locals call it "Coturri Roulette", Thomas.

And I have to say: even with higher alcohol than I like, I'd quaff a good zin over a Napa cab almost every time.

(Notice I said "good zin". That sorta leaves out a lot of zinfandels right there. Leaves out all the syrupy, jammy, monsters; of course, I don't think of them as zinfandel anyway.)

Well said. There are producers (Dashe, Nalle, Storybook, Swan, Storrs, Ridge, Dry Creek Vineyards) who produce zins I consider quaffable. I'll note that there are plenty of 14% zins that don't seem hot to me, seems to handle better than some other grapes (once you get over 15%, more bothersome)

As much as I like the producers you cite, Dale, I still don't think of those wines as "quaffable," if by that we're translating into English the French "gouleyant." Zin I open and drink with hearty meals, usually involving some very red meat. The food to me is an essential part of the experience, as it cuts the otherwise overwhelming flavors and alcohol of the Zin.

YMMV of course,
Mark Lipton

Of course, Dashe's "L'Enfant Terrible" might qualify as truly quaffable. I'll have to get me some to find out.

Mark Lipton

Hey, I have to wonder what my upcoming 5000th post will be on!!!

Any prizes for the 5000th post?

Prizes? Nagh, just be thankful you have this gentle, enthusiastic, debonair guy over here in the colony to pass time with!!

Of course, Dashe's "L'Enfant Terrible" might qualify as truly quaffable. I'll have to get me some to find out.

Mark Lipton

Mark-
I didn't realize you were into these "cult" wines.
Bill

Of course, Dashe's "L'Enfant Terrible" might qualify as truly quaffable. I'll have to get me some to find out.

Mark Lipton

Mark-
I didn't realize you were into these "cult" wines.

Pfaugh! Your erstwhile comrades at 21st can tell you about my recent run on their ESJ stock. You can't get any cultier than that, can ya big guy?

Mark Lipton

Of course, Dashe's "L'Enfant Terrible" might qualify as truly quaffable. I'll have to get me some to find out.

Mark Lipton

Mark-
I didn't realize you were into these "cult" wines.

Pfaugh! Your erstwhile comrades at 21st can tell you about my recent run on their ESJ stock. You can't get any cultier than that, can ya big guy?

Mark Lipton

Cultier? I prefer to think of myself as "low brow".
BTW, what did you pick up?
The local pricing is competitive, but not nearly as aggressive as last year.
Best,
Wm.

BTW, what did you pick up?
The local pricing is competitive, but not nearly as aggressive as last year.

Well, these aren't clearinghouse prices this time. I was bringing a couple of ESJs ('01 & '05 W-F) to France with me as gifts to French winos to show them the potential of CA Syrah, so I replenished my supply of the '05 W-F, while adding the '05 R&G, the '05 P-H and the '06 Bone-Jolly rouge. Most is destined for Ye Olde Bat Cave to help replenish the supply as I consume the '01s, but the Bone Jolly stays upstairs for near-term fun.

Mark Lipton

[James Roscoe]

Mark, that is a good idea. When do you go over?

Mark, that is a good idea. When do you go over?

Just got back last weekend. Good weather, good food, good wine, good times.

Mark Lipton

[James Roscoe]

Mark, that is a good idea. When do you go over?

Just got back last weekend. Good weather, good food, good wine, good times.

Mark Lipton

How did they like the ESJ? I go over in December and think that some ESJ might be just the ticket as well.

How did they like the ESJ? I go over in December and think that some ESJ might be just the ticket as well.

I didn't pour it for them. Rather, they were gifts to be opened in the future. I was giving the '01 W-F a 3-5 year window and the '05 a 5-10 year horizon. I expect to hear reactions when the bottles do get opened, though.

Mark Lipton