Another year, another ZAP festival..the 21st to be exact.  This was my favorite of the past three years that I’ve been attending.  The gorgeous 68 degree San Francisco weather defs helped me put on a great attitude and some peep-toe shoes! The location moved from the Fort Mason to the SF Design Center and to whomever made that decision, we truly applaud you. Fort Mason is a nightmare getting into and out of. And forget parking there. Just forget it. I realized that I haven’t been to the SF Design Center in years and now I know why.  Although it is the perfect location for a festival like this (very large with multiple connected rooms and ample walking room) I felt like the seas were going to part at 2pm and we were all going to participate in a hoedown. The fake green turfgrass, the wooden beams and hanging lights made it look like the Wild Horse Saloon in Nashville.  I did count 4 people in cowboy hats and boots too but they may have just flown in from Texas to suck down some California Zin.

We were greeted by men in tuxedos handing out loaves of french bread. Too bad it wasn’t a Tiffany necklace.  A diamond necklace would make it more bearable to walk around with a glass of Zin in my left hand and a long baguette in my right. With over 250 wineries pouring their hearts out I walk around to find my ‘Grand Crubah’ – or the best of the best.  There is no way to try each and every Zin poured that day, and if you do you should walk yourself (no driving) into AA because that is #crazy.  My method includes talking to people and finding out what they like, interacting on the social media boards, revisiting the oldies and always goodies, and looking at the branding/marketing on bottles.  If you have a weird or stupid name for your wine or winery, I may just check it out because I am intrigued.  So much thought goes into the type of wine one wants to produce and then you actually have to name it! It’s no easy task, so I decided to play a little game with myself as I walked around and asked ‘If I became a winemaker what would I name it”?  I did come up with a killer name and for now will keep it secret from you in the case that I do launch that vino :)

Many thanks to the staff at ZAP for having me again this year. As Press I get to come in early and do my ‘surveillance’, allowing me to bypass ‘The Beasts’, a.k.a the general public, who comes in at 2pm.  Around 2:03pm is typically when you hear the first wine glass shatter and the crowd give a big cheers of encouragement – and my cue to exit.

So here is my ‘Grand Crubah’ list for 2012 (in no particular order).  My method is this: I love Zinfandel and I am not a sommlier, for I am the food girl.  I absolutely know what I like and I absolutely know what I don’t like – and I am not swayed by anyone. When I smell a Zin I know what comes to my mind and I envision that after the sip. When the wine hits every part of my mouth I can taste different flavors and envision what different foods the wine will pair nicely with.  I know what WOW’s my palate.  This will be different for every person and whomever says that is not the case needs a ZAP on their butt.

1. Robert Biale Black Chicken Napa Valley 2010: I’ve had Black Chicken in South Korea and not only was it actually black and delicious, it is supposed to ‘the’ food that gives Korean women such amazing skin.  I also like to do the Funky Chicken when I’m at home.  So if drinking this wine can make my skin look gorgeous and make me dance like there’s no tomorrow, then sign me up.  “Black Chicken” was the codename for a jug of homemade wine from Aldo Biale’s barrels that he hid in the barn. To me this wine is a bit underground, secretive and sexy while still being light and beautiful.
2. Hunt Cellars 2007 ‘Zinovation’, Paso Robles Destiny Vineyards: No I don’t make this wine but I have passed it off as my own to foreigners that pass through the Paso Robles area :) I love David & Debbie Hunt and their chocolatey, peppery ’07 Zinovation as I imagined dipping a Cuban cigar in it after dinner.  If your nose and palate like these flavors along with cherry and other darker berries, this one is defs for you. I also liked their 2006 Thriller Red Wine not because only because I felt like doing the moonwalk after tasting it but because it was luscious mocha, caramel-ey yumness.
3. Brown Estate Vineyard 2010 Rosemarys’ Block Zinfandel: First WOW’ed me and then made love to my mouth. #EnoughSaid. I also had a flashback the movie Rosemary’s Baby and was praying that nobody had any thoughts about taking this scrumptous baby from me. Or they would be presented with a ZAP on their butt.
4. Selby 2009 Bobcat Sonoma County Zinfandel: This Zin is named for Susie Selby’s bobcat, which I’ll overlook as I’m a dog lover. I’m not a sweets girl and I tasted hint of sweet, rich and bold dark cherry fruit here and I loved it!  It was surprisingly different from most of the Zin’s at the show and defs had a ‘wow’ factor.

 

Hope you enjoy these wines and see you next year!