2016 Zinfandel Federalist Vineyards
Calling a Zinfandel as “Federalist” is confusing. Even more baffling is stamping an etching of President George Washington on its label. There are many, many reasons for puzzlement about the bottle: First, the Federalist is an early American political Party, 1791. It was started by Alexander Hamilton, who became our first Secretary of Treasure. John Adams was a key figure in the Federalist Party and got elected as our Second President as a Federalist. (The Federalists wanted a strong central government to run the nation.) Opposing the Federalist Party were the Jeffersonian-Democrats. The Party was named after Thomas Jefferson, who became our third President. Jeff/Dems believed in a small government. Second, President George Washington loathed political parties! In his Farewell address, our First President warned, “ However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion." Third, none of the Founding Fathers drank Zinfandel wine. George Washing imported Madeira wine, a fortified red. Then, Jefferson bought casts of Bordeaux wine from Europe. He was enamored with wine; attempting to grow his own vineyard at Monticello, which ended in dismal failure. Fourth, the Federalist Vineyard is located in Lodi, CA. California is primarily dominated by the current Democrat Party. Of note: the nation’s first political party, Federalist, evolved into the Democratic-Republicans. These followers eventually became known as the Democratic Party. O.K. I need a drink! Most reds produced in the Lodi wine region in California are quite good. As was the case here. At first taste, my tongue said, “Damn, this is a Zinfandel.” True to its character, it didn’t care about a political point-of-view. The wine isn’t confused, because it was true to its Lodi style. Drinking it found a full nose with dark berry; then tasting the coca, light pepper, and its smoky finish. The dark red color is pleasant to look through. Finally, DYK: Zinfandel is an excellent red cooking wine? Marinate a cut of red meat in with lots of Zin, a cup of olive oil, smash a few cloves of garlic, and salt and pepper. Then, let it brew for a few hours.
