Someone bold, brooding & beefy perhaps? Someone smouldering who simply commands attention? Someone with a penchant for alcohol and a tendency to put on weight maybe? Someone with an intriguing European heritage who has since become a Californian icon? If the answer is yes to all of the above, it has got to be Marlon Brando. If you want a wine to match, it has got to be Zinfandel: the Godfather of grapes.
Just like Marlon Brando, the Zinfandel grape variety is full-on and full-bodied. Frequently high in alcohol and with lots of tannin, Zin will often be packed full of smoky damson and brambly fruit aromas, spicy fig notes and yummy, pepper and black cherry jam flavours. It's not exactly a subtle grape variety but quite frankly, don't we all secretly like to be slapped around occasionally - just a little bit? And Marlon is the man for the job!
I digress. Ahem...
Food matches: Zin is always going to be a big, juicy boy, but some are a touch softer and lighter than others. Try these lighter styles with charcuterie, burgers and sausages. The bombastic, classic powerhouse styles of Zinfandel can handle food with strong flavours, however. Try these with hearty stews, casseroles, sticky ribs and game!
Tip: look for 'Old Vines' on the label. Old vines produce less grapes and therefore produce a more concentrated, figgy, rustic wine. Just delicious!
Tasting Tour:
Head straight to California and compare the regional styles: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma for the oldest vines and dark, peppery styles; Napa Valley for the juicy, exuberant, bright-berry styles; Sierra Foothills for inky-black, aniseed & mineral styles and Lodi or Pasa Robles for a more herbal, ripe cherry style.
The Zinfandel grape variety has its roots in Croatia and is genetically very similar to Southern Italy's Primitivo grape variety, so try Primitivo for a slightly more restrained version of Zinfandel.
Other than this, you won't really find it many other places yet, although South Africa and Western Australia have recently had a small amount of success with it if you can find them.
I need warming up. Pass me the Godfather trilogy!
WB
