This week’s educational wine tasting features Zinfandel, a rich grape grown on carefully maintained land. Lydia from Hunger Mountain Co-op’s Wine Department will be accompanied by Sarah Isham from Farrell Distributing to tell you about the tending of old vines, the heritage, and the special rules in a special place in California called Lodi, where the winemaking is done under strict, noninterventionist standards to allow the character of the vineyards to sustainably show through in the wines. We’ll try Bearitage from the Haraszthy Family, Gnarly Head, Gen5, and Seven Deadly Zins.

The selection of Zinfandels will be paired with Agriform Parmigiano Reggiano. Described by some as “the king of cheeses,” Parmigiano Reggiano has been made in Italy for centuries, dating back to at least the 1300s and possibly much earlier. While there may be other cheeses labeled as just Parmigiano or Parmesan, Reggiano is the original and has much more flavor and character than the others, which pale in comparison. Agriform’s Reggiano, aged for 18 months, is made from low-fat raw cow’s milk and is “characterized by a rich, delicate and full flavor that is never sharp.”  Visit their website for a lot more information about the cheese’s history, how it’s made, and how best to utilize it in your cooking. 

Our educational wine tasting will be on Friday, October 26 from 3pm to 6pm in the center of our store.