| it comes to Zinfandel, Americans are just plain crazy | | | | Three of the top California regions for red zins are |
| about both the red and white versions, making it the | | | | Amador County in the Sierra Foothills, Sonoma |
| third most crushed grape varietal in the U.S., right | | | | County and Paso Robles. |
| behind Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. When it | | | | Amador County is the ideal spot to spend a few |
| comes to growing and bottling zins, California is king, | | | | days checking out California Gold Rush country and |
| so whether you love a nice refreshing glass of slightly | | | | sipping hearty red zins, while still only an hour away |
| sweet White Zinfandel on a hot summer day, or you | | | | from the city of Sacramento. Tasting rooms here are |
| prefer the intensely fruity, spicy red versions there's | | | | mostly small family businesses where you can often |
| something for everyone in California. With good | | | | talk to the winemaker, pet the family dog and enjoy |
| weather all year long, anytime of the year is a good | | | | a picnic lunch. And yes, you can still pan for gold and |
| time to tour some of the best places in the world | | | | see traces of the rustic Wild West atmosphere that |
| for growing this American favorite. | | | | inspired writers like Mark Twain. |
| Originally an obscure Croatian grape varietal, Zinfandel | | | | In Sonoma County there are many good |
| came to America early in the 19th century. It's grown | | | | micro-climates for Zinfandel including the Dry Creek |
| in many of California's grape growing regions from | | | | Valley and Rockpile areas. Make the town of |
| the Cucamonga Valley in the far south to the | | | | Healdsburg your starting point for a driving tour of |
| northern border with Oregon. From any major | | | | numerous outstanding zin producers. If fine-dining is |
| California city, you can be enjoying a Zinfandel | | | | on your agenda this is also the perfect destination to |
| experience in wine country in no time. | | | | experience some of northern California's best cuisine. |
| Although the Zinfandel grape has been around for a | | | | If your California vacation plans take you to the |
| long time, White Zinfandel didn't come into existence | | | | Central Coast region, be sure to stop in Paso Robles |
| until the 1970s. Sutter Home Family Vineyard in Napa | | | | to taste Zinfandels and Zinfandel-based red blends |
| Valley is widely credited with creating what became | | | | that will knock your socks off. Although wine has |
| known as "blush wine" when they made a | | | | been made in the area for a long time, the |
| rosé of Zinfandel but stopped fermentation a | | | | winemaking focus began to shift away from |
| bit early to ensure it had a touch of residual sugar. | | | | inexpensive wines to high-quality boutique wines in |
| Today, inexpensive white zin far outsells its pricier | | | | the 1980's and today some of the most exciting |
| red counterparts and tends to be produced by large | | | | wines in California are made in Paso Robles. |
| wineries like Beringer and Sutter Home. | | | | When you head for sunny California, a good Zinfandel |
| When it comes to red zins, there are a wide range | | | | wine tasting tour is never very far away. Sample a |
| of styles, quality and price. They tend to have high | | | | few on your next visit and you'll know why the |
| alcohol content and when very ripe, make good | | | | American love affair with Zinfandel is likely to remain |
| desert wines with a flavor profile somewhat like Port. | | | | a lasting one. |