With warm weather approaching, it is time to uncover and dust off the old grill that has been collecting snow all winter. In a few weeks, many of us will be firing up the old open pit for afternoon cookouts with family and friends. What better to pair grilled foods with then medium to full bodied red wines at value driven prices.
Two of the most emerging regions in California for the American wine market (according to SwigKnowledge) are located south of Sacramento, CA, in Lodi, CA, and further south in Paso Robles, CA. I love the regions so much that we recently added two of the wines to our wine list at Blackfinn American Saloon in Washington, DC. So far, sales continue to do very well for us, so I thought I would share them.
The first wine comes from Jessie’s Grove Winery located in Lodi, CA. Earth, Zin, and Fire Old Vine Zinfandel (14.8% ABV, around $12) hosts bold flavors of blackfruits and cranberry. There are underlying tones of spicy cinnamon accompanied by tealeaves and an oaky finish. In preparation for winemaking, the grapes are cold-soaked for 48 hours after crushing, before it is ready to ferment. The juice is then aged in French and American oak casks for 10 months before bottling. This wine will pair well with grilled foods (pork, poultry, beef, and venison), cheese (asiago and aged gouda), and even spicy seafood stews.
The second wine is from J-K Estates in Paso Robles, CA. J-K Crossfire (14.3% ABV, around $10) is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, and Syrah. Cabernet’s coffee, cassis, black licorice and dark chocolate carry the backbone of this wine. Merlot’s dark fruit scents, chocolate, vanilla and cherry blend well to hold the wine together. Syrah’s smooth plum, black pepper, blackberry and black cherry mellow out the finish. This is a lovely wine to have with grilled items as listed above or even as a standalone.
Check these wines out for the upcoming grilling season and let me know what you think.
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