Paso Robles Zinfandel For Pan And Glass

Only cook with a wine you would drink on its own. That's what Julia Child told us, and I believe it. Cook with good wine, and your food will taste good. Blah wine, blah food. But don't break the bank. I spend $10-$15 on a bottle for cooking. Of course, I get to enjoy some of it, too.

I made crockpot short ribs with the 2022 Paso Zinfandel and was completely happy with the flavor it imparted. It made a hell of a gravy, too. It's made by Vine to Table Vineyards of Santa Maria, using organic grapes grown in Paso Robles. Alcohol hits 14.8% abv and it cost me $17 at Whole Foods Market in Los Angeles.

This wine has a medium-dark garnet tint in the glass. The nose offers ripe cherry, strawberry, and raspberry aromas, with a hint of currant, mint, and black pepper. The palate shows red and black fruit, a pepper note, vanilla, and firm tannins. It has a bold flavor profile, which I like when cooking with red wine. 

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