We braved blustery, stormy weather to attend the ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) Zinfandel Festival in January, featuring a bounty of fine wine for lovers of Zinfandel. Located at Fort Mason in San Francisco, California, this 4-day festival has been held annually for the past 17 years. We partook of the Good Eats and Zinfandel Pairing one evening. I was surprised by how many purveyors of comestibles were present, though I shouldn’t have been, since it the event is listed as a wine and food pairing. Approximately 50 vintners were showcasing their finest Zins, and each winery was paired with savory or sweet delectables from acclaimed restaurant chefs—a “foodies” dream come true.
The Herbst Pavilion filled up quickly with jovial wine lovers, but never felt uncomfortably crowded. Tickets are only sold in advance, and the relatively steep price of $125/person may have contributed to the event not selling out. Vintners and chefs were lined up elbow to elbow down both long walls and around a long center island. Feeling a bit under the weather, I tasted selectively, allowing my oenophile companions to identify the top wines while I indulged in savory tidbits. Tops on my list were the lamb chops from Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and braised wild boar sliders with smoked onions from Knickerbockers’ Catering.
It was difficult to narrow our list of favorite Zins with so many different styles represented, but we all agreed that the reserve Zin from Opolo Vineyard (Paso Robles) had the smoothest taste and best balance of subtle cherry and blackberry flavors with a dry finish. The pairing with lamb loin and shrimp marinated in lemon zest and ancho chili from The New Zealander Restaurant (Alameda) provided the perfect foil. Runner up candidates included Zins from Hendry (Napa), Rosenblum Cellars (Alameda) and Carol Shelton Wines (Sonoma). An added treat was the opportunity to meet the Carol Shelton herself, a well known vintner with an impressive collection of awards she has amassed over the years.
It was a whirlwind tour through excellent food and wine pairings, and we stepped out into the cool clear night, having enjoyed the fruits of so many labors while the storm passed through, clearing the palate of San Francisco’s skyline.
Information:
Check the ZAP website for specific dates for this event that is held annually in January in San Francisco, California: http://www.zinfandel.org/festival/
