Big Reds, Bigger Events


Celebrating the Varietals of Winter


By Kent Rosenblum
Photography by Samantha Olson

As the wet, blustery days of winter descend upon us, now is the perfect time to pair soul-warming, hefty red wines with hearty fare. And, to enable this process of palate matching, the winter months play host to some great wine tasting events that celebrate full-bodied winter varietals such as Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.
California Zinfandel is a great cold-weather choice, and it comes in many flavors and sizes—from light, fruit-driven numbers all the way to Monsters of the Midway, which require a knife and fork to enjoy. Though the Zinfandel grape originated in Croatia, California has adopted it as a native son, which makes sense since more Zinfandel is grown in the Golden State than anywhere else in the world. In addition, Zin (as it is often endearingly called) grows in more geographical areas of the state than almost any other varietal, with Sonoma, Mendocino, Lodi and Paso Robles boasting the largest crops. Some fun winter dishes to pair with Zinfandel include spicy Hungarian goulash, spinach lasagna or mustard-marinated roast pork loin.
    To become better acquainted with Zin, make plans to attend the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers’ Zinfandel Festival held at various locations in San Francisco from Jan. 24-27. This four-day event features many Zinfandel-related activities, including wine and food pairings, regional tastings and a gala auction. The festival culminates with the Jan. 26 Zinfandel Tasting, the world’s largest consumer tasting of any single varietal. This grand event features more than 300 wineries and almost 1,000 wines. Most producers use this stage to pour their best Zins, rare bottlings, new releases or barrel samples. For more information, call (530) 274-4900, e-mail zaprr@sbgloobal.net or visit www.zinfandel.org/festival.
    Petite Sirah is another grape that Californians refer to as a native son.Originally from France’s Rhone Valley, this small-berried grape variety dates back to the 1880s when it was brought to California by viticulturists who mistook it for Syrah. (The grape is actually known as Durif, a cross between Syrah and an obscure grape called Peloursin.) Over time, this grape flourished in California’s warm climate and died out in France. Today, California boasts the largest plantings of Petite Sirah in the world, and with time, winemakers have learned how to tame the hearty flavors and big tannins and achieve rich, spicy, mouth-watering gems. Robust in color and flavors, Petite Sirah pairs well with wine-roasted pot roast or grilled duck breast filled with cream cheese and jalapeños and wrapped in bacon.
    Like Zinfandel, Petite Sirah also has its own support group, P.S. I Love You, which plans to host its inaugural consumer event on Feb. 8 in Alameda. Held at Rosenblum Cellars, this educational wine and food event will be a lively affair with music and food and beverages from approximately 60 participating wineries and restaurants. Patrons will enjoy an evening of fun while learning about these amazingly robust wines and the foods that compliment them. For more information, contact P.S. I Love You at (707) 620-0788, info@psiloveyou.org or www.psiloveyou.org.
    Those who truly want to experience wine in winter should attend the Taos Winter Wine Festival. A unique destination for all wine and ski lovers, Taos Ski Valley, about 15 minutes outside of Taos, N.M., hosts the 21st annual festival from Jan. 17-28. Participants can look forward to great mountain lodging along with some super cuisine courtesy of The Bavarian lodge and restaurant and Hotel St. Bernard, which also features a nightly band. For more information, call festival organizer Greg O’Byrne at (505) 776-2291, ext 1427, or visit www.skitaos.org/WINE_FESTIVAL/index.php.
    Remember, nothing pairs better with big reds than winter events.