Zinfandel and the character of wines derived from fruit produced by old vines is the topic of episode 261 of The Drinking Hour. Host David Kermode travels to California for the Old Vine Conference and speaks to several winemakers in the region along the way who are passionate advocates for ‘Zin’ in a place where Cabernet Sauvignon has long been considered the grape to grow.
The episode begins with a chat with Robert Biale, a producer of high-quality Zinfandel in Napa’s Oak Knoll, in which he explains the grape’s history in Napa and why the mission to protect the old-vine vineyards is so important. Kermode then discusses the Lodi region with Stuart Spencer from St. Amant winery and how market forces shape the styles of Zinfandel on shop shelves. The third guest is Morgan Twain-Peterson MW, winemaker and owner of Bedrock Wine Co. in Sonoma, who debunks some of the myths around Zinfandel, talks genetic diversity in vineyards, and explains why Zinfandel’s adaptability and versatility are key to its future.
Discover more episodes of The Drinking Hour with David Kermode here.
