This week's virtual wine pick

[pammy]

Okay, I am going to take the plunge. Although I have responded a couple of times, this will be my first official post, anywhere! I have just never been inspired to join any BB communities. As many have said before, this one is kinda different. Lots of thoughtful, tolerant people who share a passion for good food and a healthy lifestyle. Can' beat it. So, lets make it official (for Kellyusa's sake) and taste the Rabbit Ridge Red Zinfandel this week. I am not sure which vintage is the most widely available, so let's all just try to buy the most recent one. And I look forward to getting to know you all!!!

[sneezles]

Would love to participate but have never heard of Rabbit Ridge...is that the winery?

[Sandy1]

If you're starting a wine tasting club...count me in:-) But I also am not familiar with the wine that you mentioned..
Sandy.

[lanie]

Actually in the previous 'wine tasting' post for last week, Gail mentioned that this wine is from the Russian River Valley, Sonoma county - therefore, a California wine - hope I got that right - don't know how to do the 'quotes'!
Elaine

OMG - I must have gotten up too early, think this is my 4th post already and - to boot - posted this in the wrong place a sec ago!

[sneezles]

lanie
thanks for the info. I guess getting up too early is better than staying up too late like I did last night!
Will have to look for the wine next time I'm in Houston!

[JLS]

The label on Rabbit Ridge wines is a pale blue with royal blue shiny trim, and of course it has a rabbit on the label. I have bought a couple of their wines, and the colors are how I usually spot them.

[lanie]

Looked for the Rabbit Ridge today, not in the one liquor store, will keep up the search - did pick up a Talus Zinfandel 1998 - anyone had this particular one - I have a feeling the Rabbit Ridge may not be available in Canada - darn! Going to keep searching - love this post - feel like I am on a mission!
Elaine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by lanie (edited 01-27-2001).]

[SusieO]

The only Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel I was able to find was a 1997 Reserve Zinfandel for $30. I debated for several minutes at the liquor store, then decided to go for it! I'm glad I did. The wine is excellent. I don't know enough about wine to describe in detail, but I can tell that it has a wonderful, complex flavor and holds up well to spicy food. Enjoy!

[digginsjr]

Pammy,
What a great idea!!! I own a wine shop and I love wine. Rabbit Ridge makes great wine, including their blends. Their wines do well in tastings and trials.

The Rabbit Ridge Zin is a dry red wine. For those of you who don't know wine, The Zinfandel grape is the same one used for White Zinfandel, however, when making White Zin, the skins are left in for a very short period of time (to give it the pink tint). The red zin will be drier and heavier than the white.

It's a wonderful full bodied wine, with great berry flavors. Look for the chocolate on the tail end of your sip.

Enjoy - I look forward to this new "club".

Sylvia

[Betme]

I've had RabbitRidge Merlot. Loved it! Found it in Huntsville Al at a wine and gourmet food store on University. One of the best merlots I've had. Will definitly try other RR wines!

[shoyski]

Lanie, I've had the Talus Zin 1997 and really enjoyed it. Don't know about the '98.

[Ed]

Hi,

Natasha suggested that I post a graphic of a Rabbit from Rabbit Ridge. You will notice the blue color that Rabbit Ridge is known for.

http://ktkeeper.tripod.com/bunny/bunny13.gif

Hope you like to see the Rabbit as much as I do.

Ed

[hhcowgirl]

It is really interesting--I have never before really been able to tell the difference in vintages when tasting a particular wine, but boy can I with this one!! I always order the Rabbit Ridge Zin at a fabulous restaurant here in Nashville and they always serve the 1997--any other year is simply not as appealing to me. Maybe I am imagining things, but I have tested this hypothesis a variety of times . . .

[lindrusso]

I've been sick, so I was not able to participate in the tasting this week (we had a bottle of Rabbit Ridge Chardonnay, but not the Zin).

Can I suggest something for this week? Can we pick out something earlier in the week so that we have time to locate it if necessary? Some of us live in small towns and might need more time - right Sneezles??? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Just a suggestion....

[SusieO]

Originally posted by digginsjr:

It's a wonderful full bodied wine, with great berry flavors. Look for the chocolate on the tail end of your sip.



Sylvia,
Thank you for your comments. I was drinking a glass as I read this, and I did taste chocolate, now that you mention it. I look forward to your comments on future wines.

Ed,
Love the rabbit. Did you try the wine?

[Ed]

Hi Susie,

Nope, I skipped the wine.

Glad you like the Rabbit.

Ed

[Denise]

I have had RR Zin several times and really like it. Its the wine that got me into zins. Unfotunately the bottle I picked out was bad! I've never had that happen before but it was obvious right away!

[Leanne]

I really like Rabbit Ridge too. mmmm - can't wait to have some - it's one we keep around the house. When should we suggest the next wine of the week?

[LUCYT]

Hi All,
I'm a new member I love cooking and I love wine! I believe you can find Rabbit Ridge wines at Trader Joe's if there is one near you. I don't know if Trader Joe's is outside of California. A really good wine that I have found also at Trader Joe's is Black Mountain Fat Cat Cabernet. It is very good and very reasonably priced. I would love to be included in this wine club. Thanks and look forward to hearing from you!

[pammy]

Sylvia,

I wish I had read your post before I had my glass of RR Zin along with Chicken/Roasted Peppers/Kalamata Olives w/ Asiago Cheese & whole wheat pasta. Yummy! I will have to have another glass tonight.

What I noticed is that the fruitiness of the wine complemented the savory flavors of our meal. That is what I love about Zins, they are so big and juicy that they really get your mouth ready to eat spicy, savory foods.

[SusanL]

I must preface my reply with we never buy Zinfandels because we received some as gifts and they were terribly sweet. Rabbit Ridge has opened the door to Zinfandels for us. We loved it last night. I opened the bottle just as my husband had started a glass of Cabernet, reminding me of those horrible bottles we had tried. He put aside his Cabernet and he was hooked also! The bottle cost $16.99, well worth it!

The funniest part was when I went to check out, the clerk said that they had sold half a dozen bottles of Rabbit Ridge today. Was I familiar with this wine? I had to laugh, I couldn't tell him!!

BTW- PA doesn't sell 1999 Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, only 1998! Boo!

[This message has been edited by SusanL (edited 02-01-2001).]

[pammy]

Susan,

How funny, I noticed when I picked up my bottle that the State Store was going to need to restock that shelf, many bottles of RR Zin had been purchased!

O.K. It is Friday, who wants to pick the wine for next week?