Zinfandel : a history of a grape and its wine / Charles L. Sullivan ; foreword by Paul Draper.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sullivan, Charles L. (Charles Lewis), 1932-

Series:

California studies in food and culture ; 10.

California studies in food and culture ; 10

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Grapes--California--History.

Grapes.

Viticulture--California--History.

Viticulture.

Wine and wine making--California--History.

Wine and wine making.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (248 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley : University of California Press, c2003.

Language Note:

English

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Summary:

The Zinfandel grape-currently producing big, rich, luscious styles of red wine-has a large, loyal, even fanatical following in California and around the world. The grape, grown predominantly in California, has acquired an almost mythic status-in part because of the caliber of its wines and its remarkable versatility, and in part because of the mystery surrounding its origins. Charles Sullivan, a leading expert on the history of California wine, has at last written the definitive history of Zinfandel. Here he brings together his deep knowledge of wine with the results of his extensive research on the grape in the United States and Europe in a book that will entertain and enlighten wine aficionados and casual enthusiasts. In this lively book, Sullivan dispels the false legend that has obscured Zinfandel's history for almost a century, reveals the latest scientific findings about the grape's European roots, shares his thoughts on the quality of the wines now being produced, and looks to the future of this remarkable grape. Sullivan reconstructs Zinfandel's journey through history-taking us from Austria to the East Coast of the U.S. in the 1820's, to Gold Rush California, and through the early days of the state's wine industry. He considers the ups and downs of the grape's popularity, including its most recent and, according to Sullivan, most brilliant "up." He also unravels the two great mysteries surrounding Zinfandel: the myth of Agoston Haraszthy's role in importing Zinfandel, and the heated controversy over the relationship between California Zinfandel and Italian Primitivo. Sullivan ends with his assessments of the 2001 and 2002 vintages, firmly setting the history of Zinfandel into the chronicles of grape history.

Contents:

Front matter

CONTENTS

ILLUSTRATIONS

FOREWORD

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1. How I Solved the Historical Mysteries Surrounding Zinfandel- Sort Of

2. Sojourn in the East

3. Ho! For California!

4. Plant Your Vineyards! Begin Now!

5. Boom! 1872-1890

6. The Haraszthy Myth

7. The Stealth Grape, 1891-1918

8. Prohibition and the Fresh Grape Deal, 1919-1933

9. The Two Faces of Zin, 1934-1969

10. Of Pendulums and Roller Coasters, 1970-1990

11. Fat Years, 1991-2001

12. The Mystery of Origins Solved-Probably

13. Into the New Century

APPENDIX: REGIONAL SUMMARIES

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-212) and index.

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

ISBN:

9786612357244

9780520930520

0520930525

9781282357242

1282357247

9781598750195

1598750194

OCLC:

614750323