July is the month of patriotic parties and prolific grilling, so we suggest including, along with your typical American beer and colas for quaffing, a quenching Zinfandel. Believe it or not, this true-blue, American wine is perfect for the ‘cue and just the ticket for ribs, peppery burgers and steaks, marinated meats, and hearty or spicy grilled fare.

Okay, you Vintelligent folks who read the wine blog from a few weeks back, yes, Zinfandel reportedly originated in Croatia and Italy, but it has been so entrenched in American culture since its introduction in the 1820s that people literally forgot where the grape came from, and they were certain its roots were in the United States. Now 95 percent of all Zinfandels are made in the U.S.A. American winemakers love it because it is incredibly versatile; wine drinkers love it because of the variety it then affords – from semi-sweet blushes to robust reds to sweet dessert wines.

For your Independence Day festivities, just remember that red Zinfandels also tend to have higher alcohol levels, so between the heavy food, the warm sun and the very drinkable wine, you may need a nap before the evening fireworks!

Dry Creek 2007 Heritage Zinfandel
Sonoma County

With a lot of Zinfandel and a little bit of Petite Sirah, this wine’s ”red, white and blue” most likely comes from its raspberry and blueberry aromas with hints of white pepper and chocolate. Its nine months in American and French oak is noted also on the palate as the fresh berry fruit mingles with the creamy oak. Alcohol levels are at 13.5 percent, so not as high as they can be in some Zins, and the smooth tannins help give this wine a nice, long finish. Wine Spectator recommends drinking now through 2012.

While some may think of apples, baristas and rain when they consider the Pacific Northwest, people who know and love great wine look to this region for some interesting, well-made ones. Yes, California gets most of the west coast wine attention, but Washington and Oregon have seen a significant change in their wine culture in the past 10 years. Washington alone has gone from 75 wineries approximately 12 years ago to literally hundreds, and wine grapes are considered its 4^th largest fruit crop.

This month we take you a little on the wild side with a pair of lovely red “Rhône Rangers” that are perfect for those rainy spring days when the weather isn’t quite as warm as a new spring promises. Both wines have a bit of fruitiness to keep the hope of nearing warm days alive as they help you dispense with any lingering winter chill. They’re also a perfect accompaniment as you renew life at your backyard grill.

Robert Hall Rhône de Robles 2006 – Paso Robles

Robert Parker has said that creative blending in these wines is what is producing some of the best Rhône wines in California, and here is a wonderful example of that. The wine is predominantly split between Grenache and Syrah, but enhanced by the addition of Cinsault to offset the high alcohol of the Grenache and the tannins of the Syrah, and a wee bit of Counoise that augments the deep fruity flavors. Robert Hall has produced a deep ruby red with cherry and cranberry flavors to accompany Spring’s budding cherry blossoms. The hints of black pepper and spice and tamed, silky tannins make it a wonderful wine for a hearty meal, such as grilled steak or a robust beef or lamb stew.

Matchbook Syrah 2005 – Napa Valley

This wine will light your fire! As a nod to his own wild, pyro-maniacal days, John Giguiere founded Matchbook winery. And this Syrah will certainly warm you up. Including about 10 percent Cabernet, the wine presents full-bodied with raspberry, spice, tobacco and cassis flavors and a hint of vanilla to finish. The Cab addition helps with the wine’s structure and smoothes the Syrah’s touchy tannins. This is a particularly good year, too. Due to their length on the vines, these grapes started out high quality, and their time spent in a combination of new French oak and older barrels created a wonderful richness. This is a wine that is up to pairing with spicy sausages, cured meats and other grilled meats such as chicken, beef and lamb.

Special Case Pricing Available Wine Club Members Only
Robert Hall Red $215.89/case ($17.99/btl) Matchbook Syrah $151.09/case ($12.59/btl)

Interested in joining the wine inspired? Click the links to read about our 6 month and 12 month mberships.

Spring is in the air!

Spring is a time of change – to say goodbye to all of the snow and cold weather and welcome in sunshine and flowers. A time when everything is constantly altering; trees come to bloom, the grass becomes green again, and those rabbits pop up on your front lawn again. Sometimes it seems all of these changes occur at a snail’s pace, but we at Hinsdale Wine Shop hope you take the time to enjoy these transformations. We have two offerings for you this month. The first, Three Saints Cabernet, will help you at the beginning of the month when it is still cold and snowing. The second selection for the month is the fresh, crisp Cote Est, a white wine to welcome spring.

2007 Domaine Lafage Cote Est, Catalan
90 Points Robert Parker

Cote Est is a the work of two magnificent wine makers, Eric Soloman and Jean-Marc Lafage. Combining Solomon’s expertise of Spanish grape varietals and Jean-Marc’s passion for French wine making is what makes this wine so special. The composition is 60% Grenache Blanc and Gris, 30% Chardonnay, and 10% Marsanne. It has a fragrant nose of toasted grains, almond extract, pineapple, and citrus. This light-bodied white has a smooth, honey-like consistency, prominent floral flavor, and smoky finish. It would pair exquisitely with seafood – shrimp, scallops, and any white fish, such as halibut or snapper. This wine is ready to be savored within the next several years.

2005 Three Saints Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley

Three Saints Cabernet comes from Star Lane Vineyard, located on the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley. Winemaking at Star Lane always follows the Bordeaux style, with long maturation processes and warm fermentation methods. This particular Cabernet is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec. This delectable fruit bomb has flavors of blackberry, dark cherry, and plum. You can detect a dark fruit aroma, with hints of mocha and sage. This red is rich, with a medium body and profound structure. It would be delicious with most beef, duck, or heavy pork dishes. It would also pair well with more stronger pasta dishes. This wine is drinking great now and will reach it’s peak with 4-5 years of aging.

Interested in joining the wine inspired? Click here to read about our 6 month and 12 month memberships.