COST: $12-14
WHAT: This wonderfully soft, smooth and fresh fruit wine is delightful on many levels. It's full of rich, ripe fruit that we love with Zinfandel, but it's not a high-alcohol fruit bomb that overpowers food.
It starts with aromas of red and black cherry, minerals and some spice. On the palate, it brings out the cherry flavor, with some strawberry, cocoa, red fruit and smooth tannins. The finish lingers pleasantly. I had this at a wine-tasting retirement party for a friend, and it seemed to please many in the crowd. It is such an easy wine to drink. It was one of a couple of wines that stood out from the seven wines we tasted.
WINERY: The winery was founded by Giacomo Peirano, who came to make his fortune in the California Gold Rush, but quickly figured out he could do better opening a mercantile store.
He did well, went back to Italy and returned to California with a wife and 300 grape vines. Peirano started one of the first vineyards in Lodi. All five of his sons worked in the vineyard, and today the winery is run by the fourth generation of the family.
GOES WITH: We had a lot of finger food at the party, but I thought it paired particularly well with London broil in an Argentine marinade that was cooked to medium rare on a grill. The spices in the marinade brought out the spiciness of the Zinfandel. It also held up well with grilled ribs prepared with a Memphis dry rub. It's also good with fruit and a variety of cheeses.
WINE EVENTS
today
Wine tasting, Malibu Jack's Surf Grill, 231 Furys Ferry Road, celebrating the opening of its tasting room, 6-8 p.m., includes sampling of the tapas menu; $15
friday
Beer tasting, Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, 5-8 p.m.; taste 13 beers and several cheeses. $4, with rebate on purchase of six bottles of the featured beers
AUG. 6
First Friday wine-tasting , Wine World, 5-8 p.m. Six wines and several cheeses. $4, with rebate on purchase of featured wine
AUG. 12
Wine and food tasting, Luciana's -- A Taste of Italy, 362 Furys Ferry Road, 6-8 p.m; $20; (706) 860-0888 for reservations
AUG. 19
Third Thursday wine tasting at Wine World, 5-8 p.m.; six wines and several cheeses chosen to match the wines, $4, rebate on the purchase of one bottle of the featured wines
AUG. 29
Bus trip to the 14th annual Vineyard Fest at Chateau Elan in Braselton, Ga.; festival 1 to 5 p.m.; bus will leave at 10 a.m. from The Vineyard Wine Market parking lot, 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans; purchase tickets from Chateau Elan before the bus trip and then call the Vineyard to reserve a seat on the bus; Wine Fest tickets are $75 and bus tickets are $30; call Chateau Elan at (678) 425- 0900 and the Vineyard at (706) 922-9463 for tickets.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
