shawnwz

“ I am waiting for this man to apologize to me.” These were the exact
words a woman said to me at my local Kroger grocery store. I was
shopping and I reached in front of a woman and grabbed a dozen eggs. I
was barely near her but I apologized anyway. She gave me a dirty look
and I quickly moved on. I continued my shopping and finished by going
down the wine aisle to see what was on sale. As I turned the corner, I
noticed the same woman standing in the aisle with a friend of hers. I
heard her friend ask, “Do you want to get a Zinfandel or Merlot?” I drew
a little closer because I knew a little about wine and thought I could offer
a little advice to make up for my earlier indiscretion. Then I heard these
few words that I despise, “ I never had a white Merlot but I like white
Zinfandel.” The realization came over me that the House of Beringer had
ruined another wine by making it white.

I loathe Beringer, Franzia, and Sutter Homes, for making wines like that.
These wines really aren’t wines at all, but more like wine coolers with a
cork. They take a fantastic grape variety and slaughter it by making
them sweet and cheap. Since when did the color white become pink. What
happened to the deep, rich, blood red, wine known “formerly” as
Zinfandel?

The History of Zinfandel is extremely unique. Science has recently
uncovered the mystery of Zinfandel's origin. For many years, Zinfandel
was thought to be the only true Native American grape varietal - created
in USA by the cross breeding of other grape varietals. Some argued that
Zinfandel actually was the same grape varietal as Primitivo found in
Italy. Finally, it appears that we know where Zinfandel comes from -- or
at least where the genetic scientists think it comes from.

After nearly 35 years of genetic research spanning two continents and
two generation of researchers, Zinfandel has been traced back to the
native Croatian grape called "Crljenak Kastelanski". Effectively,
Zinfandel and Primitivo and Crljenak Kastelanski are the same exact
grape varietal. With the flow of history, time and people, Crljenak
Kastelanski found its way from Croatia to Italy, and then on to the new
world in America

I can see the point in producing a wine that appeals to the mass
population. I can understand that a winery is a business and that the
ultimate goal of any business is to make a profit. However, what I do not
understand is why names are misrepresented when there are perfectly
acceptable and traditional names for these wines such as rose, blush, and
Bartle’s and James Fruity Banana Wine Cooler. Okay the last name
wasn’t original but it could still work.

My feeling is if this woman would choose her wine with the same
discretion as her eggs then the world would be a better place. I am
starting a petition that will be sent to some of the major vintners with a
copy of this article so if you would like to email me your thoughts on the
subject, I will forward them with your additional comments.

Shawn O'Connor.