Today's blog is all about Klinker Brick Wine and Zinfandel wine. Whether you're here as a wine enthusiast or not quite there yet, let's learn everything there is to know about Klinker Brick wine together today. Sometimes you just need a good old-fashioned FAQ sheet to get right down to the details.
So here's everything you need to know about Klinker Brick Wine, from the owners, the winery, the different Zinfandels, Old Vines, Old Ghost, and other Zinfandels on the market!
And remember to check out our wide selection of Zinfandel options at Liquorama.
Now, let's dive right into FAQs about Klinker Brick Wine!
Who owns Klinker Brick?
The Felten family owns Klinker Brick. Steve and Lori Felten are fifth-generation wine-makers who started the Klinker Brick Winery back in 2000. For generations, the Felten family has grown grapes in the Lodi region in California. Steve and Lori do more than manage the Klinker Brick winery. They manage several other wineries in the surrounding area.
After over 20 years of Klinker Brick wine-making, the team has grown quite a bit. Relatives of the family have joined the Klinker Brick business.
Where is the Klinker Brick Winery located?
The Klinker Brick Winery is located in the Lodi region in California. The Lodi Region is between the cities of Sacramento and Stockton in the Central Valley wine region. It's roughly 90 minutes from the world-famous Napa Valley wine region.
Here are a few fun facts about Lodi, California, while we're here. Lodi is the watermelon capital of the country. The Lodi region is home to over eighty wineries. And the Lodi Region is famous for its Zinfandel.
The Klinker Brick Winery offers Wine Club features like wine tastings and wine club release events. So if you're a wine enthusiast, check it out!
What is Zinfandel?
If we're talking about the Klinker Brick brand, it's essential to understand what a Zinfandel is. There is a wide selection of grape varieties when speaking about different wines, but a Red Zinfandel comes from, what they call, the black-skinned wine grape variety.
The origins of Zinfandel are tricky to determine accurately. While there are many claims that Zinfandel originated in Croatia, it's hard to know for sure. However, what we do know is that Zinfandel is connected to Primitivo. Why does this matter? It matters because Primitivo originated from Croatia, and because there's a genetic connection between Primitivo and Zinfandel, it's likely that Zinfandel, too, originated in Croatia.
It was in the 1850s that Zinfandel made its way to California. Now, California produces the most Zinfandel. The vines thrive in the heat but can also thrive in cooler temperatures. Zinfandel is known to be a very versatile grape variety.
Zinfandel usually has flavors of rich, ripe fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and even bramble berries. Spices like pepper, clove, and anise are used to balance out the ripe fruits. The combination makes for a beautiful, bold wine.
The alcohol content of a Zinfandel tends to be higher than your typical wine. The alcohol content usually ranges anywhere from 13% to 17%. Other wines, on average, tend to be between 11% and 13%.
The best way to enjoy your Zinfandel is slightly colder than room temperature. You don't want it to be thoroughly chilled or completely cold. You want to have it somewhere between 57 and 65 degrees. Overall, you want your wine chilled but not too chilled.
There is also a White Zinfandel, but we'll save that for another day.
Why is Zinfandel often described as jammy?
When your Zinfandel is made with very ripe grapes, it can be described as jammy. Sometimes Zinfandel is very fruit-forward, almost intensely so. That's when it would refer to it as jammy.
You can expect wine to be sweet if it is described as jammy. Jammy also means that the wine is probably low in tannins and acidity. It only really refers to red wines. You'll never hear someone refer to white wine as jammy.
Zinfandel is one of many wines that are considered jammy. Other wines known to be jammy include Shiraz, Grenache, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
If you ever find yourself wondering about wine terms and what they mean, wine description guides are the perfect place to start. Check out this Wine Folly guide to learn more about wine terms that will help you better understand.
What does Old Vine refer to?
If you see a wine with "Old Vine" on the label, that suggests it comes from the old vine. Let me explain further. The "Old Vines" are usually over 50 years old and make a Zinfandel. The Zinfandel they make is intense and rich in taste.
Old Vines could also be known as Old Timer Vines or Gnarly Vines, among other names. The Old Vines make smaller grapes rich in sweetness, flavor, and concentration. The Old Vines make deep, smooth, and enhanced Zinfandel. Overall, there is a nice balance between the three traits.
Old Vines need to be in a particular environment to flourish. The reason the Old Vines do well in the Lodi region is because the Lodi region tends to have a longer, warmer, and drier season in order for the Old Vines to be successful.
What does Old Ghost mean?
You may also see a bottle that says Old Ghost on it. If you see a bottle of Klinker Brick Old Ghost Zinfandel, just know that you're getting something special. Each year, the Klinker Brick Winery releases an Old Vine Zinfandel, the finest Old Vine Zinfandel in the Klinker Brick collection of wines.
The Old Ghost Zinfandel is made with Old Vines that are ancient, making them 100 years old. The vines are rare.
The Old Ghost wine-making process takes place in American and French Oak barrels. The aging process lasts for 18 months to get a nice, full-bodied wine.
And here's what you can expect from the flavor Klinker Brick Old Ghost 2018. The Old Ghost wine is intense with acidity and has notes of dark berries and tobacco. That's not all, though. You'll also be met with juicy flavors of pomegranate and ripe cherries that are balanced with flavors of dried herbs.
How is Klinker Brick Old Ghost 2018 different than Klinker Brick Old Ghost 2015?
The flavors between the two are different. Both will have a full-bodied nature to them, but with the Klinker Brick Old Ghost Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2015, instead of notes of dark berries and tobacco, flavors of anise, exotic spice, and smaller berries are the real star in the 2015 Zinfandel. With an aroma of bramble berry fruit, it really gives you a vintage wine feel.
The 2018 pairs exceptionally well with a nice charcuterie board or grilled meats.
The 2015 pairs well with a delicious prime porterhouse or grilled lamb.
How is the Klinker Brick Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2018 different than the Klinker Brick Old Ghost 2018?
The Klinker Brick Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2018 is beautifully balanced with a number of different flavors and notes. In the 2018 Old Vine Zinfandel, we have aromatic notes of black cherry, vanilla, and spice. The spices include nutmeg, cardamom, and pepper. This creates an exotic nature in the wine that really bursts with flavor alongside the dark fruits.
The flavor profile of this Zinfandel, in particular, is bursting with fruity flavors of raspberries, strawberries, and ripe plums. When you combine the fruit-forward flavors with coconut, vanilla, and cedar, you get a delicious balance that makes your mouth water.
Each year's Zinfandel is going to differ in aroma and flavor. No two Klinker Brick Zinfandels will be the same. You'll have a different experience with each one. That's the beauty of wine-making. No two batches will come out tasting the exact same.
Which other wineries make Zinfandel wine?
Many other wineries in the states, specifically California, make delicious Zinfandel wine. You certainly have many, and I mean many, to choose from.
Starting with a popular option, we have Turley Wine Cellars. Turley Wine Cellars makes nearly 50 different wines and uses grapes from over 50 different vineyards across the state of California. The story behind the brand might surprise you. The man who started Turley Wine Cellars back in 1993 was an emergency room physician. After driving home from work one night, he noticed someone camped out on his property. The same man who was camped out there is now a wine-maker and partner to Larry Turley.
Anywho, enough about the history, Turley Wine Cellars carries Zinfandels from many different regions, including Paso Robles, the Sonoma Valley, Lodi, and Napa Valley, among many others. Each Zinfandel will take on different notes. For example, the Turley Kirschenmann Vineyard Lodi Zinfandel 2014 will have more floral notes. Because of the drought-like conditions during the wine-making, this bottle is deeper and richer in flavor than you would usually taste in a Zinfandel.
Next up, we have Bedrock Wine which has a delicious Zinfandel option for you! Bedrock California Old Vine Zinfandel 2020. This Zinfandel is made with 85% Zinfandel and a blend of others, including Carignan, Mataro, Grenache, Alicante Bouschet, and a few others! Flavors of bursting berries and licorice jump out to excite your palate with this Bedrock Zinfandel. This Old Vine Zinfandel is largely made from the old vines at Bedrock; however, it's also made using the regions of Esola, Schmiedt, and Nervo Ranch. Each region contributes something different and special to it.
And finally, we have the Dry Creek Vineyard Sonoma Old Vines Zinfandel 2018. This Dry Creek Zinfandel is delicious and satisfying in flavor. If your love a fruit-forward Zinfandel, Dry Creek might be a good option for you. It's loaded with the fruity flavors and aromas of blackberry cobbler, fresh cranberries, and black raspberries. Spices like dried herbs and white pepper add a level of complexity to the mix. But those aren't the only spices you'll taste. You'll also get hints of nutmeg, cardamom, and cinnamon. There's an undertone of acidity that comes forth because of the nature of the old vines. This Zinfandel is made with 80% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, and 1% Carignane. With a delicate lingering finish, the Dry Creek Zinfandel is definitely an option that you should consider.
What does Zinfandel pair well with?
Zinfandel can pair well with several different meals. As I mentioned above, Red Zinfandel pairs great with grilled meats. Anything from grilled lamb to ribs will be great with a glass of Red Zinfandel. Another excellent time to pull out your Red Zinfandel is when you're snacking on a charcuterie board. Smoky or tangy cheeses are great options. Be sure to have hard cheddar or salty feta somewhere on your board.
Savory or tangy dishes are great with Red Zinfandel because of its jammy nature. The sweetness of your wine will balance out with a savory dish. There's nothing like pairing a perfect wine with your meal. After all, a meal is only as good as its wine pairing! Right?
If you happen to be having a White Zinfandel, the pairings will be completely different. Instead of grilled meat, your White Zinfandel will pair exceptionally well with lighter foods, like salads, fish, or vegetables. If you have a creamy dessert, that may also be a good time to bring out your White Zinfandel.
Where can I buy a bottle of Klinker Brick Wine?
Are you looking for Klinker Brick Wine to taste an Old Vine Zinfandel and review it for yourself? Or maybe you want to try Old Ghost Old Vine Zinfandel! Either way, Liquorama has you covered.
At Liquorama, we carry both the Klinker Brick Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel and the Klinker Brick Old Ghost Old Vine Zinfandel. Try both and see what Old Ghost is all about!
If you find yourself looking for something else, we have so much to choose from. Browse through the Liquorama website to get a feel for what we carry. We have a wide selection of wine, liquor, and beer.
Looking for a specific spirit? Search through our website or visit us in Upland, Ca! We're happy to help!