Welcome to WINO WEDNESDAY- a once a month feature where bloggers talk about all things WINE!
This month, I am featuring Small Hours Zinfandel. I was introduced to Small Hours at a Traveling Vineyard party hosted by some friends last month. I am usually a Cab girl, but I loved the taste of this California Zin.
Small Hours Zinfandel
From the Wine Notes:
Taste: Dense aromas and palate of both black and red fruits–think raspberries, blackberries, and cherries. Some violet and black earth notes in the mid-palate. Nicely integrated with proper balance, extraction, weight and mouth feel.
This wine needs to breathe to get the best flavor, so use an aerator or let it sit for a while.
When I asked Lindsey, my Traveling Vineyard wine guide about recommended pairings, she strongly recommended Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Raspberry Squares. I LOVE dark chocolate but have never been a fan of adding other flavors to it – especially fruit. But I did as Lindsey suggested and it was to die for! Take a bite of the raspberry dark chocolate and then a sip of Small Hours and you get a delicious flavor explosion in your mouth. I also paired it with just plain, fresh raspberries – super yummy!
Also pairs well with anything chocolate, barbeque, antipasto, beef and spicy foods like chili and wings.
Cheese pairings: Asiago, Manchego, Pecorino Romano and Provolone.
Or try these recipes:
Raspberry and Walnut Baked Brie
Photo courtesy of homemadehooplah.com
Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Brownies
Photo of Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Brownies Courtesy of ahappyfooddance.com
Do you like Zinfandel? What is your favorite food to serve with it?
Wino Wednesday Wine Review of Small Hours Zinfandel with suggested pairings
The recipes look totally delicious, I dont know which one I will be trying first. I do love the combination of a rich dark chocolate and wine together, it’s one of my favorite desserts. Looking forward to this monthly series of yours.
Thanks, Mary. Chocolate really does pair well with this particular wine. I love wine & chocolate too!
Wine and chocolate you simply cannot go wrong! The raspberry & Walnut baked brie sounds amazing!
Doesn’t that look fabulous, Carol? And in case you are wondering why I never respond to your comments – I just found ALL of them yesterday in SPAM. You have now been released from that dungeon. Thanks for reading and for all of your comments.
Well done! Love the photos, so vibrant. The description is perfect. Makes me want to whip up a batch of brownies and sip all afternoon chocolate and wine – I’d be in heaven! Great, great post!!
Michelle – in reply to your COMMENT that actually showed up when I freed it from spam – thanks for noticing the photo. I’ve been practicing! I haven’t made those brownies in the post, but I imagine a day with you watching one of our favorite shows or sitting outside eating them and drinking wine. Maybe some day!
I tend to be in an all white rut. Sauv Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chards. I so need to branch out. This sounds yummy. Maybe being vegan I could just pair with raspberries! Love the artwork on the bottle. pretty much how I’m feeling today 🙂
Rosie – I really liked the label too. And if I had not been at a wine tasting and just ordering a glass of wine, I would have ordered a cab per usual. It’s good to break out of a rut every once in a while and this one was delicious with just the plain raspberries!
Being that I have basically been pregnant for the past four years straight, I cannot wait to have a glass of wine. 😉 This sounds like one that I should check out for sure! Especially since it pairs well with chocolate.
Seriously – if it goes with chocolate I’m in. Take it easy on the wine, Jessica – you might end up pregnant again! 🙂
Sounds delicious & I want that cheese board!
We’ll put it on your birthday list!
I love fruity wine, this sounds so good. I don’t know what I liked more the cheese, chocolate or the great product suggestions. Cannot wait to try the wine!
Doreen – I’m the same way – hard to pick between chocolate or cheese. But the chocolate was really good with this one! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oh my goodness, now I want wine, dark chocolate and a hunk of melty Brie. Everything looks so good. I’m sure work won’t mind if I call in with a case of wanting wine! 😉
That sounds divine!
Yummy. The label on the bottle is a lot of fun too. Thanks for the suggestions!
It was so fun to research. Makes me want to do Wino Wednesday EVERY week! 🙂
Just great looking! The baked brie looks fabulous Cathy. How can you go wrong with wine and chocolate?? You can’t!
That’s what I say! That was a fun post to “research”!
I don’t drink wine, but I love your description of the flavor explosion.
It was delicious, Kellie. Thanks for reading and commenting!
What a fun post series. I know nothing about wine, but I find it interesting.
It is fun to do – lots of readers! Thanks for reading and commenting, Glenda!
Red wine & dark chocolate is a nice combo! But I would probably go for the brie first since I’m a “cheese person.” 🙂
The zin sounds great, and I love the label! 🙂
It was delicious, but I sure would go for that brie as well. And I thought the label was great too! Thanks for reading and commenting, Andrea!
Sounds yummy. I’m a big fan of Zinfandels 🙂
Then you would really like this one. Thanks for reading and commenting. Do you have a favorite Zinfandel?
I am not much into wine but I do like all the pairings. Does that count? Wonderful photos in the post.
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop
Sure it does, Kathleen! I like wine, but if I have to choose between eating my calories and drinking my calories-food wins every time!
I am mainly a white wine drinker but this red sounds like one I would enjoy. Paring it with those brownies, I’m in.
Don’t those brownies look awesome. This Zin is a really good one, Celeste! Thanks for reading and commenting!
[…] My Side of Fifty writes Wino Wednesday – Small Hours Zinfandel 2012. […]
Oh…I love this new series and the way you’ve broken the wine down for those of us who aren’t regular wine drinkers. I’ve been in the restaurant/bar industry for years, but I usually have a cocktail. I really like the fruits in this wine, and the fact that it can be a great dinner wine or dessert accompaniment, I love chocolate and raspberry! This sounds right up my alley!
I don’t really know that much about wine. I am a gin & tonic girl when we go out. But will have wine at home. So I am learning!
[…] Wino Wednesday – Small Hours Zinfandel with Pairings […]
[…] Michelle and I did the Dancing With the Stars Series together in the Spring. We also like our wine, so don’t be surprised if we collaborate on something wine related in the […]
Not much of a wine drinker but definitely a chocolate lover! So I’m all over the chocolate receipes.
Thanks for linking up with Welcome Home Wednesdays! Live every Wednesday at 7AM CT.
liz @ j for joiner
Great – glad I included those chocolate recipes. I don’t always drink wine, but I can always find room for chocolate!
The brie recipe looks amazing. And especially with wine.
What could be better with a zin that gooey brie! And chocolate…
I’m not a big wine drinker but this sounds delicious!
It was really good with the chocolate/raspberry combo!