©2006 Agua Dulce Vineyards
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is widely grown throughout the state of California. It is often referred to as "America's Grape", although it did not originate here in the Untied States. When pairing Zinfandel, keep in mind that it is a full bodied wine and will pair best with heartier dishes. Foods such as fish or turkey will be overpowered by this wine and are not recommended as a pairing suggestion.
If you're looking to pair Zinfandel with cheese, aged cheeses are your best bet. An aged Jack or aged Cheddar will be a great match. If you're at your grocery store and looking for something easy to pair with that bottle of Zin at home, you can always buy some Cajun style chicken. Another easy fix is spicy sausage with caramelized onions and bell peppers. Barbecue is said to be one of the best pairings for Zinfandel. Here is a recipe for some spicy BBQ Sauce that you can slather on your favorite meat:
Spicy BBQ Sauce
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 cinnamon stick
3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons chipotle en adobo, coarsely chopped with sauce or to taste
3 tablespoons Zinfandel
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a small, saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Then add the garlic and the cinnamon stick. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the garlic becomes aromatic but not browned, about 30 seconds more.
Add the ketchup, chipotle en adobo, wine, dry mustard and brown sugar, mixing well. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Continue to simmer or 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Remove the cinnamon stick and add the zest.
Puree the sauce in a blender or food processor until the sauce is fairly smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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