by Fred McMillin for February 27, 1997 Be Sure to Get Your Z's Prologue: 1995 was a strange year. Flooding and erosion in the winter. Spring was cool and damp giving us a late bud break and low yields.. Then the Napa vines were hammered by hail. When temperatures finally warmed up they stayed that way. So the crush was fast and furious, starting Sept. 19 and ending Oct. 19. -- Robert de Leuze, ZD Winemaker The Rest of the Story: As for that fractious 1995 weather, not to worry. Robert had an expert to consult, for this was the 25th ZD Chardonnay vintage his father had seen. In fact, Norman didn't turn over winemaking resposibilities to his son, Robert, until the 13th vintage (1983). In any case, the 1995 is another ZD beauty. Enjoy it in its crisp youth now, or drink it in the year 2000 when that crispness has turned creamy, the lemon changing to pineapple and coconut. 1995 Chardonnay, Appellation—California ZD Wines Silverado Trail, Napa Valley, CA Contact—Rosa Lee de Leuze, phone (800)487-7757 $24 Rating: Highly Recommended Postscript: Whence the name ZD? In 1969 two aircraft engineers started making wine in a rented shed. They were Gino Zepponi (the ZEE) and Norman de Leuze (the DEE). About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College and is Northern California Editor for American Wine on the Web. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. Global Gourmet | FoodDay Copyright © 1997 the electronic Gourmet Guide, Inc. All rights reserved.

Welcome to WineDay, the electronic Gourmet Guide's daily update. Monday through Thursday, WineDay presents a wine profile. Then on Fridays we present the Winery of the Week to take you through the weekend Current WineDay January WineDays 02/26/97 An Appealing Merlot 02/25/97 A Bright White from Italy 02/24/97 From Tuscany with Love 02/21/97 Winery of the Weekl The Steele Appeal 02/20/97 That Picky Pinot 02/19/97 This Is Dan Lee's Cup of Tea 02/18/97 The Grape Washington Loves 02/17/97 Bordeaux Down Under 02/14/97 Winery of the Week: The Chandon Cyclone 02/13/97 A Sublime Valentine, Born of Tragedy and Triumph 02/12/97 The Queen of Chardonnay 02/11/97 The Best of Barbera 02/10/97 A Short Port Report 02/07/97 Winery of the Week: Jekel's Rocks, Vines & Wines 02/06/97 A Grape for the Lake 02/05/97 Last Rites for Sulfites 02/04/97 From Assisi to Sonoma 02/03/97 A Zinfully Good Bargain