Phil Your Glass: Zinfandel is perfect partner for grilling and chilling

Warm weather means cooking burgers on the grill, and a nice glass of zinfandel is my favorite partner for all of my grilling and chilling. 

New Philadelphia resident Jim Demuth, who owns Gregory James Wines in Sonoma, California, has one of the best bottles of zin around. His 2016 old vine zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley is my kind of zin. The grapes come from the School House Vineyard,  which overlooks Lake Sonoma. The vines are 60 years old. This bottle is not your typical in-your-face high alcohol zinfandel.

I am fortunate to have had this wine on several occasions. The rich red berry and dried cherry flavors keep me coming back for another glass. It’s a stunning buy at $19.99. It was fabulous with one of my go-to burgers in Cuyahoga Falls, the $14 Jetty Burger from the Sheraton Suites. The house-made bacon marmalade and this wine are a match made in heaven.

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Just in case you thought I was slacking, I tried the wine with a handful of dark chocolate and sea salt popcorn from The Cleveland Caramel Corn Co. Yahtzee! That stuff is amazing! It sells for $7.50 for a 9-ounce bag at Beau’s Market in Copley.

Buy this wine at both Mustard Seed Market locations, Krieger’s Market, Beau’s Market in Copley, Regency Wine Bar, Magna Wine Boutique in Cuyahoga Falls, Top Shelf of Ohio in Jackson Township, Grapes in a Glass Canton, Craft Bistro & Lounge New Philadelphia, Alexander Pierce, and by the glass at The Jetty in Cuyahoga Falls. 

Email me at philyourglass@gmail.com with any wine questions and follow me on Instagram @pmasturzo_philyourglass.