[CH] (slightly) OT still on Zin..

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> Zinfandel IS only grown in California and it is an earthy wonderful RED
> wine!!!

and Sharen:

I agree - ZIN is a great wine with hot foods but it isn't grown only in CA -
it IS grown chiefly in CA but other states & countries do grow it AND it IS
coming back into its own

I certainly agree about pairing a full bodied red with spicy food, and I can't
help adding something since wine is a significant area of interest in my life
..according to some of my sources, Zinfandel, is at least 'closely related to'
Primativo, a grape known for centuries in southern Italy (Puglia, or Apulia, the
'heel' of the 'boot').  I quizzed a grower I know, and he stated that the match
was not exact, so his guess is that the first Zins (brought to California in the
1850s by Agoston Haraszthy) might have been seed and not cuttings. (Seed grown
vines are not exact 'clones' as are cuttings, and are susceptible to other
factors which can alter the result slightly.)
Pepperoncini (small, red, the ones I had I'd call 'medium') are common in the
south of Italy, sold all over in bundles, and the climate is very hot, the food
heavily seasoned....i'd guess even the Romans (and Greeks who came across the
Adriatic)  enjoyed heavy reds with their spicy foods....
FWIW, I found Puglia very nice last fall, despite the fact that most northern
Italians seem to consider the south 'less civilized...'

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