WineDay:Pink and Gold

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by Fred McMillin
for June 9, 1998

Lo and Behold the Pink and Gold

Prologue

"California Zinfandel: The astronomical gain to 420,046 tons of grapes crushed in 1997 was a 40% jump from the 1996 crush. Zinfandel is the leader in red winegrape tonnage. A majority of the volume is destined for production of White Zinfandel, which holds the second largest share of California table wine sales, after Chardonnay."

...Gladys Horiuchi, The Wine Institute

The Rest of the Story

With that ocean of White Zin out there, which do I recommend? I'll call it, The Pink and the Gold... That is, it's the only pink White Zin I can find that has won five GOLD medals, including a real toughie, the California State Fair Wine Competition. My White Zin fans like the distinct pink color (it's not bronze), the touch of sugar, the pleasing light cherry flavors and most of all, the price...only five dollars.

The Wine

Barefoot White Zin, California
Barefoot Cellars, Bonded Winery #5626, Napa County
Winemaker—Native Californian Jennifer Wall, B.S. (Biology), became head winemaker three years ago. She made their first Zinfandel wine.
Alcohol Content—A moderate 9.8%, making it light and pleasing.
Contact—Adrienne Barner, (707) 524-8002
Price—$5 range

Postscript

The wine's back label refers to the winery's other name, Chateau La Foot...we all know of the renowned Bordeaux Chateau Lafite (lah-feet). To make a more direct reference, why doesn't Barefoot use "Chateau La Feet" ? Answer: They did, but the French objected. Hence, the switch to "La Foot." Note: For more about the winery, see the June 13,1997 WineDay article, "Barefoot Cellars."

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.

Lo and Behold the Pink and Gold

WineDay Annex