Zinfandel: A History of a Grape and Its WineThe Zinfandel grape—currently producing big, rich, luscious styles of red wine—has a large, loyal, even fanatical following in California and around the world. The grape, grown predominantly in California, has acquired an almost mythic status—in part because of the caliber of its wines and its remarkable versatility, and in part because of the mystery surrounding its origins. Charles Sullivan, a leading expert on the history of California wine, has at last written the definitive history of Zinfandel. Here he brings together his deep knowledge of wine with the results of his extensive research on the grape in the United States and Europe in a book that will entertain and enlighten wine aficionados and casual enthusiasts. In this lively book, Sullivan dispels the false legend that has obscured Zinfandel's history for almost a century, reveals the latest scientific findings about the grape's European roots, shares his thoughts on the quality of the wines now being produced, and looks to the future of this remarkable grape. Sullivan reconstructs Zinfandel's journey through history—taking us from Austria to the East Coast of the U.S. in the 1820s, to Gold Rush California, and through the early days of the state's wine industry. He considers the ups and downs of the grape's popularity, including its most recent and, according to Sullivan, most brilliant "up." He also unravels the two great mysteries surrounding Zinfandel: the myth of Agoston Haraszthy's role in importing Zinfandel, and the heated controversy over the relationship between California Zinfandel and Italian Primitivo. Sullivan ends with his assessments of the 2001 and 2002 vintages, firmly setting the history of Zinfandel into the chronicles of grape history. |
Contents
How I Solved the Historical Mysteries Surrounding Zinfandel Sort Of1 | 1 |
Sojourn in the East9 | 9 |
Ho For California | 23 |
Plant Your Vineyards Begin Now31 | 31 |
Boom 1872189040 | 40 |
The Haraszthy Myth51 | 51 |
The Stealth Grape 18911918 | 72 |
Prohibition and the Fresh Grape Deal 1919193384 | 84 |
The Two Faces of Zin 19341969 | 98 |
Of Pendulums and Roller Coasters 19701990116 | 116 |
Fat Years 19912001 | 130 |
The Mystery of Origins SolvedProbably | 147 |
Into the New Century167 | 167 |
NOTES193 | 193 |
| 209 | |
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Common terms and phrases
acres of Zinfandel Agoston Haraszthy Agricultural Alta California Amador Arpad Arpad Haraszthy average Bay Area began Black St Boston bottle Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon Cali California Grape California wine California wine industry California Zinfandel Carole Meredith Cellars Central Valley claret coastal valleys County Croatia early East Coast England fandel flavor fornia grape prices grape varieties Grgich growers Horticultural important Italian Joseph Swan labels later Lodi area Macondray Martini Mendocino Mike Grgich Napa Valley North Coast Northern California nursery old-vine Paso Robles percent Petite Sirah phylloxera planted premium Primitivo Prince Prohibition Puglia red wine Ridge Vineyards San Francisco San Jose Santa Clara Valley Santa Cruz Mountains Schoonmaker Sierra Foothills state’s Sutter Home table grape table wine tasting vinifera vintage Vintners viticultural White Zinfandel wine varieties wine writers winegrowing winemaking Winery Wines & Vines York Zinfan Zinfandel acreage Zinfandel acres Zinfandel grapes Zinfandel producers Zinfandel vines Zinfindal