Ridge Zinfandels: Wine in good company

If you’re planning on a gathering where the wine that’s to be served takes center stage, be sure to keep Ridge Vineyards on your “pour ‘em” list.  Their Sonoma County (Healdsburg) gems are never boring, and like it or not, they always attract attention.

From briary earth expressions to big jammy fruit , they’ve got it all.  Some of them push the edge so far that the term “extreme” doesn’t really cover it.  Ridge has enjoyed countless years of practice and it shows in a lineup that is often quite difficult to get a handle on.

So a word of warning:  Don’t put these out unless you’re looking for a reaction.  Ridge has even ventured into other parts of California to obtain fruit that contributes much more to the impressive variety of flavors. In fact, many people do not even associate several of these characteristics with Zinfandel at all!

Take their “Dusi” and “Paso Robles”, even though both are from the same area, their compositions are totally different.  Put them up against “York Creek” and “Geyserville” and let the conversation begin.

As for the extremes, try the “Ponzo” and “Lytton Springs” or “Pagani Ranch”.  Their wild combination or earth, sassy greenery, and deep berry deliciousness make you say “I’ll try you again”.  Of course, to make matters just a bit more confusing, Ridge usually blends in a few extra varietals into their Zins.  These include Petite Syrah, Carignane, and Matro, just to name a few.  So, no brown bags please.  A blind tasting exercise would be pointless.

So, on one of those evenings after a run to the bottle shop, gather your favorite guests, and crack open a few Ridge favorites to pass around along with ample courses of Tapas.  Barbeque is probably the best pairing recommendation for Ridge Zins.  Be sure that mix is included with at least one of the platters.

As far as the rest goes, go ahead and let the food run out (or saved in the fridge) before the wine disappears, because good company is what it’s all about.  And don’t worry about the naysayers, for every thumbs down there will be a couple thumbs up; that’s just the way Ridge intends these vinos to be received.