Good Eats and Zin - Update from ZAPfest 2010

Last night was the best "Good Eats and Zin" ever!  It seemed that the terrible weather recently meant that eveyone who planned to brave it was rewarded by both smaller crowds and much improved weather.  Inside, the Hawaii theme made everyone smile.  And the wineries were pouring copious amounts of delectable Zin paired with delicious bites.  Everything was good!  And after the 20th winery/snack purveyor combo that I visited, I was just as happy as I was at the beginning.  Some impressions from me:
Best Wine and Food Pair: Mini PB & J Sandwiches with Mano Formate Bacon paired with Gamba Zin.  Sondra from Estate did an amazing job of combining tiny biscuits slathered with pine nut butter and jelly that incorporated the Gamba Zin into sandwiches with her magnificent Mano Formate bacon.  It made me want to sign up for a slot in her amazing Mano Formate classes!  Yum!

Most Exotic item:  Fermented Black Bean Braised Ox Tails with Oyster Sauce EOS Restaurant and Wine Bar.  I did not think I would like this, but the various elements really came together in a harmonious manner.  Kudos for creativity.  It made my favorite Accidental Pairing with my favorite new discovery.

Favorite New Discovery:  Marr 2007 Alger Vineyard, Tehama  This almost silky Zin had nice fruit forward bursts of raspberry with interesting touches of herbs and pepper.  Tehama (I had to ask) is located east of Red Bluff near Mt. Lassen.  At $15, a bargain!  Food friendly and delicious.

Most Anticipated by me:  Dogwood Cellars '06 Zin paired with Sift's Snickerdoodle Cupcakes.  This year they had custom frosting pairs with the '07 Mendo Zin too!  Bowls of wine flavored frosting!

Best Hospitality: Murphy-Goode with a Viking Horned Hardy Wallace manning the table dispensing your choice of Spicy or Intense paired with both a delectable Pork Belly Slider and Hardy's own southern fried goodness

Edmeades, Rockwall, Ravenswood ('07 contrasted to '97! Yum!), And too many delicious bites and sips to  mention.   Yum!  See you at the Grand Tasting!