Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). This column is written by Dominion owner Arash Tafakor.
When a consumer asks for a suggestion on a wine, I consider a lot of things before making the right suggestion, such as price, customer’s taste, occasion and food pairing. With the summer heat here for now and BBQs in full force, I’ve been suggesting Zinfandels. Most of the time the consumer says, “No, no, no, I don’t want sweet or a white zinfandel.” I have to quickly point out I’m talking about a red zinfandels, which are fruit-forward, medium-bodied, delicious red wines. Zinfandel happens to be California’s oldest grape, and, although not originally from California, its roots have been traced to be from Croatia or Italy’s Puglia region depending on whom you ask.