Arbor Mist Sangria Zinfandel 1.5Ltr

Winery: Arbor Mist

Varietal: Zinfandel

Zinfandel grapes are renowned for being quite fast growing and somewhat vigorous, thriving best in climates which are warm, but not too hot. As Zinfandel grapes are thin skinned, they are prone to dry and shrivel in too much heat, and due to the fact that they grow in large, tightly packed bunches, they are also sensitive to rot. As such, Zinfandel is a grape variety which requires quite a lot of care and attention, but which can produce beautiful results given the right conditions. Indeed, this grape varietal is often praised for the fact that it is one which can demonstrate the skill and expertise of the winery processing it, and clearly demonstrates the features of the terroir it is grown. Partly this is due to those thin skins – the lower tannin content in the wines allows other features of the grape to come forward and be displayed in all their various glories. The grapes themselves are known to ripen early, and produce plenty of juice with a high sugar content. It is not unusual, however, for wineries to take a late harvest of Zinfandel grapes, and the concentrated sugars and over-ripe fruits often make for excellent dessert wines, also.

Region: New York

To get some idea of how well established many of the wineries in New York state are, one only has to look to certain locations around the Hudson River area of the region, where there are several wineries which have vineyards dating back over three hundred years. This relatively long tradition of wine-making for a New World country has resulted in some truly exceptional wines, making the most of the imported grape varietals which thrive in the cooler, damper climatic conditions which characterize the state. New York today produces a wide range of wine styles, but is mostly known for its white wines made from such esteemed varietals as Riesling and Pinot Noir, and a few superb sparkling wines which demonstrate the strengths of the Chardonnay grapes grown there.

Country: United States

For three hundred years now, the United States has been leading the New World in wine production, both in regards to quantity and quality. Wine is actually produced in all fifty states across the country, with California leading the way by an enormous margin. Indeed, as much as eighty-nine percent of all wines to come out of the United States are produced in California, where the fertile soils and sloping mountain sides, coupled with the long, hot summers provide ideal conditions for producing high quality, European style red, white and rosé wines. With over a million acres of the country under vine, the United States sits comfortably as the fourth largest wine producer in the world, where imported grape varietals from all over the Old World are processed using a successful blend of traditional and contemporary techniques.