ZOLO Bonarda SOLD OUT! But we have a Bonarda blend which is extraordinary. That said...........

ZOLO Signature Red 2012

Estate grown, sustainably farmed in Mendoza, Argentina at the foothills of The Andes.  ZOLO calls upon different grapes to create more complex and interesting wines.  "Signature Red" blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Merlot and Malbec. Red fruit on the nose; long, lush mouthfeel on the palate.

"LONELY GRAPE DAY" is all about ZOLO. Today: Torrontes and Bonarda

These are both grapes that make wonderful wines that wine consumers might have passed by. When "lonely grapes" are raised right, as we say back home, with the right winemaker and the right conditions, wine magic happens.

First about the winery: Stephen Tanzer of the International Wine Cellar says of ZOLO: "Genuinely Excellent Wines."

Patricia Ortiz, president and owner of ZOLO, produces wines in one of the most technologically advanced wineries in Argentina. Estate-grown and sustainably farmed, ZOLO has been a leader among Argentine winemakers since 2004. ZOLO selects grapes from targeted regions in Mendoza.  Situated at various altitudes, each of these terroirs presents a different fruit and varietal concentration. The purpose of the ZOLO classic line, including the Torrontes and Bonarda that we feature here, is to create a family of fruit-forward wines at great values which can be served and enjoyed with a wide range of foods or stand alone. 

ZOLO Torrontes

"Best Buy" says "Wine and Spirits." This accolaide follows a long line of praise for ZOLO Torrontes. "Wine Enthusiast" called the 2008, 2009 an 2011 a "Best Buy." And over the years, ZOLO Torrontes has received praise from critics across the wine world including "The Wall Street Journal" and Robert Parker.  Medium straw in color, the nose is an array of citrus including lime, white flowers and tropical fruit. The taste is ripe, dry and restrained, with notes of pear and dried orange peel. The finish is crisp!

ZOLO Bonarda

There remains some doubt as to the true origin of this grape, but most agree that Bonarda is the French Charbono grape. Following prohibition, Charbono was the workhorse grape in California for bulk wine production and, hence, fell into having a less than inviting reputation. Today, there is little left in California. The sad situation for this "lonely grape" is that it was never handled properly with appropriate attention and conditions, but when it is, as with ZOLO, it can be spectacular.

ZOLO Bonarda is produced under the direct supervision of Patricia Ortiz who works in Buenos Aries but travels to Mendoza weekly leaving her husband, "zolo," read "solo," alone.  Deep purple in color, the wine is full bodied with brambly fruit tastes of raspberries and blackberries. And, aging in French and American Oak for 6 months, lends a sweet toasty vanilla taste to the wine. ZOLO Bonarda presents firm tannins that are mouth filling but not out of balance with the fruit.

This lonely (and often disparaged grape) grape is one worth trying. ZOLO Bonarda is an excellent choice for grilled meats and hearty flavored stews. 

Kendal's

Viognier Information Sheet

(Vee-ohn-yay)

-Viognier - the fast rising star.
Viognier is fast growing in popularity. The last ten years has seen a massive increase in Viognier production throughout the world.

-It is a French Dry, Floral, Full-bodied white wine from the Rhone Valley. Also found in California, Oregon, Washington State, Virginia, etc.

-Initially the grape was grown to blend with other whites - and reds, bringing extra character to well know varieties, and softening the syrah wines of the Côte Rôtie.

-Viognier has the most amazing clear, golden colour and the aroma of flowers and fruits at their freshest. Many talk of being surprised by the taste; the colour and nose hinting at something sweeter but the actually taste being dry with a variety of distinctions both on the tongue and afterwards. 

-Typical markers, or notes, of viognier include white floral such as honey-suckle or jasmine, as well as orange blossom. Along with a honey or honey-suckle notes, you’ll also find stone fruit flavors, peach, apricot, nectarine, as well as a nice spice component that can be described as baking spices.  On the palate, you will find it to be typically fuller bodied, often with an oily or “lanolin” feel in your mouth.

-Food Pairing:

-Asian and Chinese food, Roasted Chicken, Crab, White Fish, Lobster, Indian Food, Cirtus fruit, rosemary, 

Seafood (scallops, shrimp, shellfish), Curry and Thai food, veal

-Do not pair with:

-Any earthy dishes and salty dishes.

Viogniers on our shelf here:         

Balnea is a family owned winery that has been cultivating grapes since the last century. This wine is 100% Verdejo, estate grown in limestone rich soil with a gravel sublayer on a 2400 foot plateau and is hand harvested.

The winemaker is Maria Jesus de la Hoz Montalve

The low fertility soil and scarcity of rain at this high altitude combine to offer low yields but highly concentrated Verdejo grapes.The grapes have the benefit of harsh, dry and sunny winters allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly. The extreme temperature differences between night and day create real and discernible balance in the grapes. Only native yeasts are used for Balnea Rueda.

The culmination of four generations of winemaking, this wine is clean, straw yellow with lemony hues. On the nose, the wine presents citrus fruit and herbal teas.  On the palate, the wine has a creamy, delicate body and finishes with the characteristic bitterness of the Verdejo grape.

Goes down easy.  At $11.49 a bottle, buy a case.