Unfortunately, among other stupid things in Illinois (i.e. no shipped wines) the Chicago City Council decided to ban Foie Gras. So I’ll have to try it elsewhere. QOTD: While I don’t know if I’ve ever had a Zin that really knocked my socks off, my “house wine” (at least the only wine I’ve ever bought a whole case of) is Wente 2002 Zin. At 10 bones, it’s a pretty darn good wine. Thanks Gary!

QOTD: Starry Night Zinfandel from the Russian River Valley was the best I ever had. And to be honest, I haven’t had that many. Gotta fix that.

Gary, have you ever considered filming a show on location when you travel. That would be kinda fun.

I’ve enjoyed a handful of Zins, and my favorite by far has been the Montevina Terra D’Oro Deaver Ranch 2003. Also had a REALLY good Ridge Paso Robles 2005 yesterday, though it seemed like it needed a wee more time in the bottle.

No foie gras in house…but may have some liverwurst!

QOTD- I really like Zinfandel, so probably 100+. Can’t stand the Dancing Bull, probably because I got a little spoiled on my favorite zins made by Ridge. My favorite all time is the Ridge ’89 Monte Bello Zin- which was the last vintage planted to Zinfandel, its now planted in Cabernet. But the ’99 and ’02 Lytton Springs Zins (also Ridge) I have on the shelf should probably displace that ’89.

Great Episode, but I won’t be trying the food pairing. Foie Gras tastes like cat food smells- bleeh!

QOTD- I really like Zinfandel, so probably 100+. Can’t stand the Dancing Bull, probably because I got a little spoiled on my favorite zins made by Ridge. My favorite all time is the Ridge ’89 Monte Bello Zin- which was the last vintage planted to Zinfandel, its now planted in Cabernet. But the ’99 and ’02 Lytton Springs Zins (also Ridge) I have on the shelf should probably displace that ’89.

Great Episode, but I won’t be trying the food pairing. Foie Gras tastes like cat food smells- bleeh!

QOTD- Peachy Canyon. I have not tried the old school one you tasted but the lesser one…….Overall I have tried maybe 10. Just finished a Ravenswood-great QPR on that one.

Have not tried Peachy Canyon in awhile, got away from Zin, luv it during the summer a little bit chilled.

Never tried foie grase and will have to pass. I’m with you Mott!!!!!!!

The foie gras angle is brilliant. It’s expensive, but still a small luxury if you put it into perspective.

I have tried about 10-15 Zins, and no “thunder” anywhere. Would like to try Turley or Martinelli, but for that $ it is hard not to drink a decent Cab, Syrah, or Merlot. I usually have a Lipitor tablet with my pan seared foie gras. Zero Cali zins in my cellar.

For some reason, I never drank Zin before this year. I really got into Riojas, and a wine friend told me if I like Rioja, I’d like Zin. He was right ! Been drinking it all summer. The Dancing Bull, I thought, was pretty good – more an 85-86 bottle, and a good deal at $7.50. The Peachy Canyon, however, was excellent. Also have enjoyed this years offering of the Seghesio and Coppolla’s Edzione release.

Foie Gras, on the other hand, is putrid. Sorry, Gary.

Great Show Zin’s and Food pairings hopefully you will pair with other foods like cheeses. I seek out zinfandels like others seek out Cab’s or Chard’s.

My favorites are a Zinfandel Blend “The Prisoner” and for straight Zin Turley “Old Vine” years 2002 & 2004

Great episode! I love Zinfandel’s after visiting Napa and Sonoma last summer.
I had tried over dozen. Stryker Knights Valley Speedy Creek is excellent.
Wine Library also carries Sausal Family Wine – their old vine zin is quite good for the 13 bones WL sells it for. I really loved the episode b/c Zins have become one of my favorites!

Foie Gras doesn’t pass my ethical standards. Everyone should look into the production of foie gras.

QOTD: really enjoyed Poizin

I typically don’t drink zinfandel, but I’m excited to try the Ravenswood and the Peachy Canyon.

I’m also excited to try the foie gras. And to the heck with you people that have problems eating this delicious pate. We’re the highest on the food chain, and that’s good enough for me.

Also, GV, what’s up with you spitting the foie gras into the bucket? You almost made me pee my pants when I saw that…

Gary, no wonder you are at the top of my Fantasy Wine Knowledgeable Experts!
ZZZZIIIIIINNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! They are my favorites!
Seghesio Winery has always been my No.1 taste sensation of Zins and I have had as many as your praises of the Jets!!!

garry, you got me there! if there is something i love more than a good glass of wine, it is the foie gras! but! forget about the foie gras pate! only roasted foie gras en bloc on the white toast gives you the appropriate heavenly taste … you should try some (i prefere the ones sold under the fouchon label (gotta go to paris (-; ))

qotd: no idea, have to try some!

thanks for a great show and a lovely wine/culinary crossover experience … 🙂

QOTD: Gary, there’s nothing like great Zin and great Texas bbq! Pair that on your show!! I like the burly Zins, Martinelli, Turley, Rosenblum, Biale…but still need to try Storybrook and Scherrer. Rafanelli makes a great elegant zin that’s age worthy.

I am waiting for you to try Earthquake Zin from Lodi, my personal fav.

BTW, I can’t immagine buying a wine that smells like bandages.

Hi, first time reply, long time lerker. Its been a while but I really enjoyed Ridge Litton Springs Zin, also had Zin from Rombouer (spelling) that I recall was very nice. Keep up the great work Gary V.
Thanks

Hey Gary- Have been lurking for awhile ever since the auspicious SF wine tasting due to life’s existential demands . Way too many zins to remember as we have been in Sonoma County on and off since 75′. Across the board though, nobody does it more effectually than Rosenblum. I have been to many of their tastings, barrel and otherwise as well as their sponsored wine cruise last year with hundreds of other local wine heads. Kent oversees the production of more consistently well made zins than anyone else I am aware of.

Rafanelli does a fine job as well but he has gone stratospheric due to demand.

The 04 Kenwood Sonoma County ($16.00) is a fruit bomb with wonderful aspects of local terroir but with my 50% discount it is the best 8 bone zin in the area IMHO…

Great show, Gary! Zin and foie gras is a pairing I’ve never heard of. I’d love to try it. Unfortunately, foie gras is illegal in Chicago. (At least, it’s illegal to sell it in restaurants. I’m not sure if retail sales are illegal, or sheer possession, or consumption. I’ll have to look into it.)

I’ve found Zin also works well with dark chocolate.

QOTD: It’s hard to say how many Zins I’ve tried. Maybe two or three dozen. But it hasn’t been one of my favorite wines. A lot of California Zins are big monsters that are just too much for me. They seem to veer off into Amarone or even Port territory. I can see that these big guys might work wonderfully with foie gras, but they overwhelm dinner. I don’t think I’d say it’s my all time favorite, but I’ve had a lot of 2000 Carmenet Zin, Contra Costa County, Evangelho Vineyard. It’s more the weight of a wine that I want with dinner, compared to the monster Zins. It’s ok, but not life changing, and it’s getting a bit long in the tooth now. I bought a lot of it a few years ago because I got such a good deal on it — a close out selling for about 25% of its full price. (Yes, I exceeded your two-case limit and you’ll have to punch me in the face. I now regret having bought so much, even if it was a good deal. I’ve probably given away more than two cases to friends and family, and I still have a way to go. Maybe I’ll have some Zin tonight with pasta.)

BTW, for anybody else who thinks that California Zins can be a bit too much, Italian Primitivo has a flavor profile that is very similar to Zin, and it tends to be made into a more dinner-friendly style of wine. In fact, Zin and Primitivo taste so similar that it took a DNA analysis to determine that they really are different grapes. (They both are descended from a third grape.)

I loved the Tumbling Tractor. If you like that my favorite is the Gravity Hills Sherpa. Higher price point but absolutely delicious.

QOTD: Favorite Zin – Steele – Catfish Vineyards and Cosentino – Cigar Zin… but then again, these are about the only ones I’ve tried over $10!

Forget the emails….do the GD SHOW!

Was in a zin-state of mind on a recent trip to Napa & Sonoma — Had probably 25 different ones. Favorites were Simi Dry Creek Valley, Signorello & Seghesio. Seghesio had multiple zins that were great. Was a bit disappointed with Cline, I was looking forward to them the most.

About time you brought the Zinfandel thunder….

One of the greatest, most versatile, food-friendly wines there is – which is why I drink so much of it. Pizza, grilled foods, mexican, Thanksgiving turkey, cheeses……I’ve got to try it with the Gras!

The Dancing Bull trips over its own feet. Peachy’s Incredible Red is a great low end zin for about 10 bones. Ravenswood…. Joel Peterson is a legend, like Ridge’s Paul Draper….and Doug Nalle, who thinks Gary is lily-livered.

QOTD: How many Zins? Countless…. Can’t even estimate. Best/Greatest? ’85 Nalle…. ’90 Ridge Geyserville & Lytton… ’87 Ridge Lytton…. Some of the Ravenswood Old Hill vintages….Storybooks… Rafanellis….Martinellis….memorable stuff.