Varietal Character - Zinfandel


Zinfandel...You’re a master of disguise. Who
is that masked man known as ZIN? You hide behind a mask of contradictory
styles. Are you the soft, sweet hombre oft seen in the Central Valley,
disguised in a vibrant pink cape? Or perhaps you are the fire-breathing
rogue of the Sierra Foothills, a spicy-natured, tannic beast. How will you
appear next?...and where! Always willing to change your facade to suit the
environment, your true nature seems to be adaptability, itself. You are a
legend in California; friend of the poor pisano, and delight to the pompous
patron. Truth is, you're no robber at all...you give to all!
Do you know
the Personality Characteristics of your favorite Wine?
Varietal Character - Chardonnay


You are the world’s greatest star. Your fame has infiltrated every nook and
cranny of the globe, regardless of culture. Your public persona is often the
creation of zealous image consultants. They alter your visage with a woody
makeup, and drape your body with the designer apparel of Malolactic and
Sur-Lees. Being on top is never easy, and the jealous backlash that calls
itself 'ABC' is an insult to your greatness. Rare glimpses of your true
personality reveal angular cheekbones underneath all the makeup, and steely
eyes that can be sharp and engaging. With your tall stature and broad
shoulders, you are capable of carrying any style. So: “Lights, camera …
action!” Chardonnay, your fans await.
Varietal Character - Cabernet Sauvignon

All hail the King!
But a king doth not a gentleman make. A temperamental prince in youth,
you’re a thick-skinned brat with a bitter chip on your shoulder. The air of
nobility only develops after a decade or more banished to a dark cellar.
Your Bordeaux caretakers warned others of your tannic nature, but the image
makers of California left you to your own devices. They spent decades of
constant frustration trying to calm your aggressive nature. Finally heeding
the advice of the Bordelaise, your New World guardians now employ the
services of your perfumy cousin
Cabernet Franc to teach you grace, and the sultry French consort
Merlot, to teach you maturity. At last, your time has come. In a royal
manner, you now rule over North America in a court known as ‘Meritage’.
Varietal Character - Merlot


Madame
Merlot, you’re a big gal, soft and smoky; how we love your full, curvaceous
figure. But you are so much more than simply a voluptuous pinup girl from
Bordeaux. You carry yourself with a demeanor of maturity always ahead of
your age. Perhaps it is your ever amiable and generous nature that makes you
the perfect companion for the acid-tongued
Cabernet Sauvignon. You smooth the rough edges he’s so prone to in his
youth, making him more presentable to polite society. Your relocation to the
New World was a little belated, but how pleased we are to see you now
comfortably in residence, everywhere from Long Island to the Napa Valley
Varietal
Character – Pinot Noir


You're beautiful...a goddess...but so exasperating! Loving you is like
worshiping an unfaithful temptress! As often as you've disappointed us with
your undependable ways, you always seem to draw us back. Your alluring
beauty and elegance leave us helpless and forgiving of all your moodiness.
So long disdainful of any place outside of your home on the golden slopes of
Burgundy, we’ve learned to pacify your temperamental nature with brisk
coastal breezes and hillside vistas of the New World. Perhaps now you will
grace us with all the charm and beauty that has kept the Burgundians devoted
to you for centuries.
Varietal Character – Pinot Grigio


You’ve earned top reviews working the stages of Alsace, where you are a
local legend, even outshining your famous cousin
Pinot Noir. In Alsace, you give such wonderfully textured and layered
performances, but the north Italian producers prefer to cast you in lighter
roles. Like many Euro starlets before you, you have been summoned to perform
for North American audiences. But which act should we anticipate? Regardless
of what the credits say -- Madame Gris or Signora Grigio -- from British
Columbia to California, your fans applaud your efforts.
Varietal Character - Sauvignon Blanc


You are one sexy gal, Sauvignon Blanc,
trotting joyously through fields of grass, with your long, blond tresses
blowing in the breeze. We envision you with leis of wild flowers and
gooseberries bouncing on your bosoms; you absorb all the herbal essences
around you. You are young and fresh - crisp even - with taut skin and daring
spunk. You have the steely courage to bound up to us bare-naked. Yet when
you do don cloths of oak you present yourself in a most exotic
way. Most would agree you are best au
naturel!
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