Zinfandel: A Current Study

In the 70s the ruling opinion on Zinfandel was a definitive "America doesn’t drink Zinfandel." That was true: most thought Zinfandel was a white wine with the tinny finish of screw cap. Back then winemakers willing to dedicate much space to such a grape were thought to be on the margins of good sense. A far-sighted few, mindful of the possibilities of California’s own variety, kept at it and built an industry out of good grapes and their unswerving intractability to the majority’s sour ones. Today 125 proud producers fill out their stock with fine Zin and the American pallet has been reprogrammed. Only one book focuses on this California institution solely, and the Wine Appreciation Guild is updating it with a second edition. Cathleen Francisco’s wonderful book ZINFANDEL, A Reference Guide to California Zinfandel wraps the reader around the Zin grape, from its immigrant origins in (maybe) Eastern Europe to the modern fields of California’s slopes and valleys and its modern modes. "After reading her book, I came away with a renewed enthusiasm and appreciation for this unique grape," writes Joel Peterson the wine maker for Ravenswood winery and a venerable patriarch of California Zinfandel. "Cathleen Francisco not only lists every important Zinfandel producer, but gives the reader a sense of place, style and proportion for each winery’s Zinfandel."

ZINFANDEL has every big and small bit of Zinformation. The bulk of this book concentrates on all the individual wineries, over 100 in number, with noted Zinfandels, from A. Rafanelli to Z. Every conceivable interest is detailed: proprietors, winemakers, their notes, approaches and philosophies and, of course, their premier Zinfandels. Not forgotten are tasting room times and other vital statistics (phone, fax, e-mail, web site, ext). The second edition is updated with a telling of the fickle 1998 vintage, 30 more wineries, an expanded glossary of Zin specific terms used in vinification and tasting, a general description of other varieties used for blending with Zinfandel and what they impart to the wine and new information on American Viticultural Areas and their influences on Zinfandel.

Cathleen Francisco is a journalist and the author of PINOT NOIR, A Reference Guide to California and Oregon Pinot Noir. Her exhaustively researched second edition ZINFANDEL, A Reference Guide to California Zinfandel is arrayed with a selection of wine label art from some of the most creative minds in the industry.