In comparison, many of the 2008s poured at the event were much more approachable with a soft generosity of fruit at the palate's core. Concentrated and compact on the palate, most showed intense flavors that seem destined to unfurl over time. The '09 zins at ZAP were quite consistent in style. And it looks as if the 2009 will be a vintage to watch. While zinfandel is different than cabernet, I have found that the general qualities of the vintage-as reflected in the wines tasted at ZAP-provide a fairly accurate assessment of the style of cabs that will be released at a later date. As the first tasting of the year, it’s a chance to look at things anew and to size up the latest vintage to enter the market, in this case the 2009s. The 20th edition of the ZAP tasting was a big success in my book. And that certainly deserves a celebration worthy of a ZAP tasting. You can bring your own palate, your own preferences to a ZAP tasting and you will find many birds of a feather (sometimes literally dressed in feathers) that agree with your approach. The other thing about zin is that it can be both fun and serious it does not have to be one or the other.

Yet when one starts to dig deeper and learn about the old zin vineyards that populate California's North Coast region, complaints arise that the prices are too high and that it drives away everyday drinkers. It has a populist appeal which speaks to a broader segment of the market and grates the grits of those who take wine more seriously. For one, it is very easy to project your ideas and philosophies onto a grape like zinfandel. Rather than go over it in detail, there are a few observations I think bear relevance.

The debate on zinfandel was probably best encapsulated by the SF Chronicle's Jon Bonné's Thirst column. This year marked the event’s 20th anniversary, and the question of what zinfandel is and what it should be gained even more traction than in years past. And there's no better place to dredge up the old debate than at the annual ZAP Grand Tasting held each January in San Francisco. In the wine industry, controversies come and controversies go, but one that seems to have stuck around a while revolves around zinfandel. Post by Chuck Hayward | January 26th, 2011

Should dredge buy deft hands