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EP 292 Red Zinfandel and Foie Gras?

I think Gary has found a new pair and he is thrilled to show you it! Zinfandel's from California can bring a lot to the table with the right foods!

Wines tasted in this episode:

Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull ZinfandelOther California Red Zinfandel
2005 Ravenswood Lodi ZinfandelOther California Red Zinfandel
2004 Peachy Canyon Old School House ZinfandelOther California Red Zinfandel
2005 Hartford Russian River ZinfandelSonoma Red Zinfandel

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Good article! Thank you so much for sharing this post.Your views truly open my mind.

Tags: california, red, review, Sonoma, Video, wine, wines, zinfandel

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  • OldVinesJim

    Love seeing a Zin episode, Gary! It’s probably the varietal I drink the most. I’d estimate that I have tasted 200+ through the years.

    And great QOTD! I love getting all these recommendations from people. I thought I had tasted a lot of Zin, but there’s so much good stuff out there. That’s what’s great about wine — no matter how much you taste, there’s always more to try and learn.

    My perennial favorites are the Cline single-vineyard Zins: Live Oak, Bridgehead and Big Break. If I have to pick one, I guess I’d go with the 2002 Live Oak.

  • OldVinesJim

    Love seeing a Zin episode, Gary! It’s probably the varietal I drink the most. I’d estimate that I have tasted 200+ through the years.

    And great QOTD! I love getting all these recommendations from people. I thought I had tasted a lot of Zin, but there’s so much good stuff out there. That’s what’s great about wine — no matter how much you taste, there’s always more to try and learn.

    My perennial favorites are the Cline single-vineyard Zins: Live Oak, Bridgehead and Big Break. If I have to pick one, I guess I’d go with the 2002 Live Oak.

  • TWofPasadena

    GV- Thank you for finally having a Paso Zin on the show. Peachy Canyon was the first Zin from Paso Robles I ever tried (12 freakin’years ago-dang!)

    QOTD: For some reason, the 94 Viano Vineyards Zinfandel stands out. It was 10 bucks, but tasted like it should have been 30, and it was the first wine that I felt was a steal for the price.

  • TWofPasadena

    GV- Thank you for finally having a Paso Zin on the show. Peachy Canyon was the first Zin from Paso Robles I ever tried (12 freakin’years ago-dang!)

    QOTD: For some reason, the 94 Viano Vineyards Zinfandel stands out. It was 10 bucks, but tasted like it should have been 30, and it was the first wine that I felt was a steal for the price.

  • Fun show. I haven’t had foie gras since I went vegan eight years ago, but I absolutely adored it. Since giving it up I have found lots of inspiration in other dishes that make ample use of truffle though, and have come to realize that was the element I was most enjoying.

    QOTD: Never been a die-hard Zin fan (I don’t spend my nights coming up with neologisms formed by merging Zin- with some other word), but I will always try whatever Zins a winery is pouring, and I’ll get it at dinner if my dish cries out for it. I’m a sucker for Turley and Martinelli. Closer to home, one of my favorite local wineries, Navarro, had an unbelievable year in 2004 (across the board, really) and made a Zin that knocks my socks off for less than $20.

  • Fun show. I haven’t had foie gras since I went vegan eight years ago, but I absolutely adored it. Since giving it up I have found lots of inspiration in other dishes that make ample use of truffle though, and have come to realize that was the element I was most enjoying.

    QOTD: Never been a die-hard Zin fan (I don’t spend my nights coming up with neologisms formed by merging Zin- with some other word), but I will always try whatever Zins a winery is pouring, and I’ll get it at dinner if my dish cries out for it. I’m a sucker for Turley and Martinelli. Closer to home, one of my favorite local wineries, Navarro, had an unbelievable year in 2004 (across the board, really) and made a Zin that knocks my socks off for less than $20.

  • QOTD: My favorite Zinfandel is D-Cubed Napa Zinfandel. Well-balanced, black cherry and hints of allspice. I’ve had A LOT of zins! Went to ZAP last year and had a blast.

  • QOTD: My favorite Zinfandel is D-Cubed Napa Zinfandel. Well-balanced, black cherry and hints of allspice. I’ve had A LOT of zins! Went to ZAP last year and had a blast.

  • Moselman

    QOTD: Only had a couple of zins, so no favourite. But that was about 15 years ago when we first moved to the ‘wet coast’. Must have been during the “crash” time you spoke of, as Cali zins had a poor reputation here. Possibly based on the Mateus-y/rose zins that were available hereabouts.
    Corbett Canyon? I’ll have to give them another try, seek out a decent red â?? have been looking for something good from Ravenswood.

    btw, the font looks wonky to me, too. Kinda dot-matrix redux, though quite a few here may not be familiar with that printer era.

    I certainly enjoy pate and crackers with some nice sipping wines, but haven’t ventured to the foie gras. Not sure I want to, but what the hey? The Crestor has to be put to some use…

  • Moselman

    QOTD: Only had a couple of zins, so no favourite. But that was about 15 years ago when we first moved to the ‘wet coast’. Must have been during the “crash” time you spoke of, as Cali zins had a poor reputation here. Possibly based on the Mateus-y/rose zins that were available hereabouts.
    Corbett Canyon? I’ll have to give them another try, seek out a decent red â?? have been looking for something good from Ravenswood.

    btw, the font looks wonky to me, too. Kinda dot-matrix redux, though quite a few here may not be familiar with that printer era.

    I certainly enjoy pate and crackers with some nice sipping wines, but haven’t ventured to the foie gras. Not sure I want to, but what the hey? The Crestor has to be put to some use…

  • Johnny San Fran

    Much Much better show Gary … loved your demeanor … nice pairing suggestion, will have to try it. Biale is the clear cut King-Of-Zins from California, 04′ Black Chicken is as good as zin gets.

  • Much Much better show Gary … loved your demeanor … nice pairing suggestion, will have to try it. Biale is the clear cut King-Of-Zins from California, 04′ Black Chicken is as good as zin gets.

  • charles

    QOTD: 95 Turley Earthquake, at least 20 zins ridge rosenblum turley and steele.
    gary foie gras and fois gras pate are two totally different creatures, its a shame that charlie trotter doesnt serve it anymore, matt merges was a genuis with that organ his terrine with sweetbreads best thing ever

  • charles

    QOTD: 95 Turley Earthquake, at least 20 zins ridge rosenblum turley and steele.
    gary foie gras and fois gras pate are two totally different creatures, its a shame that charlie trotter doesnt serve it anymore, matt merges was a genuis with that organ his terrine with sweetbreads best thing ever

  • Dodger Blue

    QOTD: I only had about 5 kind of zin. I think 2005 vintage of California zins are something special. I really liked Four vine single vinyard 2005 vintage zinfandel which my wife and I had couple of weeks ago. By the way, I’m a huge fan of foie gras too whether they like it or not. Thanks for another great show gary.

  • Dodger Blue

    QOTD: I only had about 5 kind of zin. I think 2005 vintage of California zins are something special. I really liked Four vine single vinyard 2005 vintage zinfandel which my wife and I had couple of weeks ago. By the way, I’m a huge fan of foie gras too whether they like it or not. Thanks for another great show gary.

  • My favorite all time Zin? Well, I probably can’t remember the best Zin I’ve ever had, but I CAN recall my best Zin-food pairing. I had bought a bottle of Rosenblum Vintner’s Cuvee XXIII (or something like that), and I was seated at my kitchen table, about to “enjoy” a Healthy Choice BBQ chicken n’ potatoes meal. The BBQ sauce was good–quite peppery. Now, keep in mind that I was extremely new to wine, and thus I was totally unaware of Zin’s “peppery” reputation. The Zin was just what I happened to have on hand–I had bought it that night along with my TV dinner at the grocery store, totally on the basis of the placard up declaring it as having merited “89 points,” plus, it was red, plus it was cheap and on sale.

    I took one swig after a bite of chicken, and BOOM!! it was like nothing I’d ever before experienced! It made fireworks in my mouth! It was sooo good…I remember calling people right after I ate dinner, and telling them how good it was. I experienced the perfect marriage–among equals, and with the whole far, far, greater than the sum of the parts…this wine experience is what really turned me on to Zins, and more specifically, to the Zin-BBQ connection. I’ve enjoyed many, many, Zins since then…too many to give you an accurate answer to the QOTD…but no matter how many new Zins that I try, or how good they get for me, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for that vintage year of the Rosenblum Vintner’s Cuvee XXIII (or whatever), and Healthy Choice BBQ Chicken TV dinners…. 🙂

  • My favorite all time Zin? Well, I probably can’t remember the best Zin I’ve ever had, but I CAN recall my best Zin-food pairing. I had bought a bottle of Rosenblum Vintner’s Cuvee XXIII (or something like that), and I was seated at my kitchen table, about to “enjoy” a Healthy Choice BBQ chicken n’ potatoes meal. The BBQ sauce was good–quite peppery. Now, keep in mind that I was extremely new to wine, and thus I was totally unaware of Zin’s “peppery” reputation. The Zin was just what I happened to have on hand–I had bought it that night along with my TV dinner at the grocery store, totally on the basis of the placard up declaring it as having merited “89 points,” plus, it was red, plus it was cheap and on sale.

    I took one swig after a bite of chicken, and BOOM!! it was like nothing I’d ever before experienced! It made fireworks in my mouth! It was sooo good…I remember calling people right after I ate dinner, and telling them how good it was. I experienced the perfect marriage–among equals, and with the whole far, far, greater than the sum of the parts…this wine experience is what really turned me on to Zins, and more specifically, to the Zin-BBQ connection. I’ve enjoyed many, many, Zins since then…too many to give you an accurate answer to the QOTD…but no matter how many new Zins that I try, or how good they get for me, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for that vintage year of the Rosenblum Vintner’s Cuvee XXIII (or whatever), and Healthy Choice BBQ Chicken TV dinners…. 🙂

  • One more comment, this for the CKCs (College Kid Crew):
    1.A great Zin for both taste and QPR is the Gnarley Head everyone’s talking about on here. It’s good alone as a sippin’ wine, and with food. You can buy it at Cost Plus World Market on the cheap.
    2.If you want to spring for a higher-end Zin to try (but not highest ~ $22 or so), I’ve found the Seghesio to be very good and very reliable, year after year. In a blind Zin tasting with my group here, it took top honors as everyone’s favorite Zin out of the group tasted, and it wasn’t the most $$$ one we tried, either.

  • One more comment, this for the CKCs (College Kid Crew):
    1.A great Zin for both taste and QPR is the Gnarley Head everyone’s talking about on here. It’s good alone as a sippin’ wine, and with food. You can buy it at Cost Plus World Market on the cheap.
    2.If you want to spring for a higher-end Zin to try (but not highest ~ $22 or so), I’ve found the Seghesio to be very good and very reliable, year after year. In a blind Zin tasting with my group here, it took top honors as everyone’s favorite Zin out of the group tasted, and it wasn’t the most $$$ one we tried, either.

  • thabeav

    Great show.

    I particularly like the cracker spitting, and the look that followed.

    Nice to see Mott. He’s like Ed McMahon……..”hehe YES Gary! Tastes great.”

    Favorite Zin – only had 5 or six. No favorites yet. All were OK, not great.

  • thabeav

    Great show.

    I particularly like the cracker spitting, and the look that followed.

    Nice to see Mott. He’s like Ed McMahon……..”hehe YES Gary! Tastes great.”

    Favorite Zin – only had 5 or six. No favorites yet. All were OK, not great.

  • phermented1

    Foie Gras turned my vegetarian girlfriend into my carnivorous wife! Have not had the Zin & FG match but will try it soon.
    QOTD: 30+ Zins. Favorite quaffer: 2005 Windmill Old Vine Zin ($9-$12). Favorite philosopher: 2004 Elyse Morisoli Zinfandel

  • phermented1

    Foie Gras turned my vegetarian girlfriend into my carnivorous wife! Have not had the Zin & FG match but will try it soon.
    QOTD: 30+ Zins. Favorite quaffer: 2005 Windmill Old Vine Zin ($9-$12). Favorite philosopher: 2004 Elyse Morisoli Zinfandel

  • Scarred1

    Gary,

    Great show. Thanks for doing Zins.

    QOTD: probably 20-30 Zins, not more because I am trying all different varietals and continuing to develop my palette. Favorites? I like Seghesio for its QPR. I also like Rosenblum.

    Thanks
    John

  • Scarred1

    Gary,

    Great show. Thanks for doing Zins.

    QOTD: probably 20-30 Zins, not more because I am trying all different varietals and continuing to develop my palette. Favorites? I like Seghesio for its QPR. I also like Rosenblum.

    Thanks
    John

  • Mezz

    Favorite Zin: T-Vine. Hard to get.
    Have had many Zins (25?). Ties with Pinot Noirs for my favorite red. Love Ridge Zins. LOVE ZINS.

  • Mezz

    Favorite Zin: T-Vine. Hard to get.
    Have had many Zins (25?). Ties with Pinot Noirs for my favorite red. Love Ridge Zins. LOVE ZINS.

  • Foie Gras! Awesome show!

    QOTD: Seghesio, but not a huge CA zin fan though.

    Day 4 of the Port Post-in. I’m waiting for the show, Gary. I figure if I start harping now, I’ll get an episode by fall, which is perfect for a port.

  • Jimmy

    QOTD: Just had a 2002 El Sol Zin my girlfriend brought back from Livermore and it was awesome, very different than any Zin I have ever had, though I am new have had less than 10 different zins.

  • Foie Gras! Awesome show!

    QOTD: Seghesio, but not a huge CA zin fan though.

    Day 4 of the Port Post-in. I’m waiting for the show, Gary. I figure if I start harping now, I’ll get an episode by fall, which is perfect for a port.

  • Jimmy

    QOTD: Just had a 2002 El Sol Zin my girlfriend brought back from Livermore and it was awesome, very different than any Zin I have ever had, though I am new have had less than 10 different zins.

  • GlassRunnethEmpty

    QOTD: Favorite zins:

    – Rosenblum Rockpile Road
    – Rosenblum Richard Sauret Vineyard
    – Rombauer Zin

    I’ve had several Peachy Canyon Zins, and several more in the cellar, all of them ’04. They are almost as reliable as Rosenblum, IMO. Zin is one of my favorite varietals, so have tried many, many different ones. It is the absolute best wine with BBQ.

  • GlassRunnethEmpty

    QOTD: Favorite zins:

    – Rosenblum Rockpile Road
    – Rosenblum Richard Sauret Vineyard
    – Rombauer Zin

    I’ve had several Peachy Canyon Zins, and several more in the cellar, all of them ’04. They are almost as reliable as Rosenblum, IMO. Zin is one of my favorite varietals, so have tried many, many different ones. It is the absolute best wine with BBQ.

  • dmg

    I’ve only had a few so far, so no favorite yet. But I have a bunch ordered that I’m picking up next week!!!!!

  • dmg

    I’ve only had a few so far, so no favorite yet. But I have a bunch ordered that I’m picking up next week!!!!!

  • MetalDave

    QOTD: I recently had l’Aventure Zinfandel from Paso Robles. If it had been Amarone, I would have liked it even more. It was good. A bit OTT. I have trouble with Zin sometimes because I tend to be an Old World guy – I have had an Italian Primitivo that I liked a lot. When I’m in the mood for it, I love a good Zin. I haven’t had a huge amout, the l’Aventure, a couple from Ridge, and about 4 others. You can’t really get them in Ireland, so it’s restricted to my trips home.

    BTW:
    Way to go on the Foie Gras. One of my favourites all-time! I hope there are some veggies that you pissed off by eating that. I love it!

  • MetalDave

    QOTD: I recently had l’Aventure Zinfandel from Paso Robles. If it had been Amarone, I would have liked it even more. It was good. A bit OTT. I have trouble with Zin sometimes because I tend to be an Old World guy – I have had an Italian Primitivo that I liked a lot. When I’m in the mood for it, I love a good Zin. I haven’t had a huge amout, the l’Aventure, a couple from Ridge, and about 4 others. You can’t really get them in Ireland, so it’s restricted to my trips home.

    BTW:
    Way to go on the Foie Gras. One of my favourites all-time! I hope there are some veggies that you pissed off by eating that. I love it!

  • italianwinelover

    Another thunder show 3 out of 4 not bad….love Dancing Bull and Ravenswood, had that one around Halloween for fun!!!

    QOTD: 50+ zins…love to dive in! Earthquake Zin, Cosmopolitan (hard 2 find)Gnarly Head is also good. Too many to pick one special!!!

  • italianwinelover

    Another thunder show 3 out of 4 not bad….love Dancing Bull and Ravenswood, had that one around Halloween for fun!!!

    QOTD: 50+ zins…love to dive in! Earthquake Zin, Cosmopolitan (hard 2 find)Gnarly Head is also good. Too many to pick one special!!!

  • justin

    My picture with my wristband will be coming shortly.

  • justin

    My picture with my wristband will be coming shortly.

  • mike volker

    I’ve probably had over a hundred zins, but the all time best producer has to be Bella from dry creek valley.

  • mike volker

    I’ve probably had over a hundred zins, but the all time best producer has to be Bella from dry creek valley.

  • CNW

    Hi Gary! I’ve been out of town and unable to partake in the favorite part of my day…. THE THUNDER SHOW! Back in the saddle though. I’ve missed this!

    Ok, great show… LOVE LOVE LOVE zin’s particularly old vine zin’s… QOTD: Honestly, I couldn’t say how many – maybe 75- LOADS though. All time Fav – Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel – partially because my husband and I have it every year for our anniversary and partially because it’s just damn good!

    Great to be back!! When are you coming to see us in VA???? 🙂

    Have a great day! C

  • CNW

    Hi Gary! I’ve been out of town and unable to partake in the favorite part of my day…. THE THUNDER SHOW! Back in the saddle though. I’ve missed this!

    Ok, great show… LOVE LOVE LOVE zin’s particularly old vine zin’s… QOTD: Honestly, I couldn’t say how many – maybe 75- LOADS though. All time Fav – Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel – partially because my husband and I have it every year for our anniversary and partially because it’s just damn good!

    Great to be back!! When are you coming to see us in VA???? 🙂

    Have a great day! C

  • Jeff

    most Turley is fabulous; and Davis Family is super as well.
    nothing better with a grilled burger!!!

  • Jeff

    most Turley is fabulous; and Davis Family is super as well.
    nothing better with a grilled burger!!!

  • Adria

    I LOVE ZIN! But if you all like Zinfandel, you should check out Jessie’s Grove Old Vine Carignan from the Lodi region. MMMMMM. Yummy.

    QOTD: hands down, my favorite of all time… Elyse Vineyards Howell Mountain Zin. SO good. Voluptuous, layered, complex, very sexy wine. I would have to guess that I’ve tried at least 80 Zins in my short experience as a learner in wine.

  • Adria

    I LOVE ZIN! But if you all like Zinfandel, you should check out Jessie’s Grove Old Vine Carignan from the Lodi region. MMMMMM. Yummy.

    QOTD: hands down, my favorite of all time… Elyse Vineyards Howell Mountain Zin. SO good. Voluptuous, layered, complex, very sexy wine. I would have to guess that I’ve tried at least 80 Zins in my short experience as a learner in wine.

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