For The Love Of Port

As a long time lover and proponent of ... Zinfandel (yes, I know you expected the word PORT) this is the finest read on the topic, i've read since ... well, I can't remember the last one that was this good.

Even a mention about Port in here, for those "purists"

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 1HBPQP.DTL Well done, Jon!

It's nice to see a good article on Zinfandel. Having enjoyed the Ridge Geyserville, and even a fortifed version of it coming from Paso Robles CA, it has a lot to offer.
Speaking of maligned varietals, I think Petite Sirah deserves more attention that it is getting now. Looks like its ship has sailed, but perhaps it may come back someday.

Is this the real Ray Barnes from BC? Wow, I never thought I'd live to see the day ...

Welcome back my friend!

Yes, Peite Sirah is a tough grape for many to wrap their heads around as this Duriff has always been a tough sell. It is not easy to love when young and can age for decades, but it is not a grape that people use for blending. All 3 of those factors make it "difficult" from a commercial success standpoint.

Nice to have you rejoin us.

Thanks for the toast Roy. I've had the rare privilege to sample ("steal"?) Petite Sirah from a full barrel that was a few years old, at an estate in Gilroy CA. This barrel was left over since the winemaker had no viable market for it as stand-alone or in a cuvee. Dare I say, the black cherry flavour was sublime, and I would have gratefully bought the whole barrel if there was any way to get it back into Canada. ("...no officer, I have nothing to declare, just 225 liters of juice in this old wine barrel here..wanna try it?")