Sep 01, 2002 04:23 AM
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(Updated Sep 01, 2002 04:23 AM)
White Zinfandel, which is one of most popular wines in the United States alongside Chardonnay, is made from premium red zinfandel grapes grown under the warmth of the California sun. The grapes are harvested in late summer, pressed and chilled, and then bottled fresh. Fortunately for the wine tasting public, White Zinfandel is easily produced because it requires hardly any aging, and goes from vine to bottle in just a few months only.
White Zinfandel has a lower alcohol content than many other wines due to early harvesting practices. White Zinfandel is a sweet blush wine, not a red or white. The color is a very pretty pink; some would call the color salmon. I would describe the aroma of the blush as being a mix of berries and floral scents. The aroma is fruity and fresh, with maybe a hint of strawberry.
To the taste, the blush is full-bodied and lightly fruity. The berry flavors are not overbearing. The wine is not at all heavy, but quite light and crisp. It is deliciously refreshing! The wine leaves a crisp, clean aftertaste.
I have paid up to $18. for a bottle of Inglenook White Zinfandel when dining out at a fine restaurant. In restaurants, I’ve paid up to $3. Per glass, and $8. for a half carafe. I buy 4 liter jugs for $12. at my local liquor store, and that’s a lot of wine which goes a long way for a very reasonable price.
Served chilled, this fruity, light wine can be enjoyed by itself, but it also goes well with many kinds of foods. I would like to recommend some of the following dishes that would accompany White Zinfandel:
Fish and Chips
Grilled Salmon/Fish
Pasta Salads
Pizza
Barbecue
Spicy Mexican
Poached Salmon
Seafood Salads
Thai Food
Chinese Food
Curries
Fruit Salad
Hors d’oeuvres
Sandwiches
The great thing about Inglenook White Zinfandel is that it’s a little dry, but not too dry. It’s a little sweet, but not sickeningly sweet; it’s not what I would call a dessert wine. I like the taste just fine. While it does contain less alcohol per volume than many other types of wines, it is still easy to overindulge, so go easy! This is a good day in and day out wine of which I never seem to tire. I raise a glass to toast my fellow readers and writers on Mouthshut.com!
