White Zinfandel

Well, can a white Zin ever be good? As good as a red Zin? Define good. Zin is a red grape -- how many good still white wines are made from red grapes?

Of course, white Zin could be good. It almost never is, though, IMO because the prices that can be charged for white Zin combined with US winery economics mean that only large industrial producers are in the business, with all that implies for wine quality. Also, as has been said here, regular wine drinkers generally won't touch stuff, which means those industrial makers are free to "craft" a product for the mass market, which in the US means sweet and low acid. Obviously you'd never use quality fruit for such a product. Add it all up and the end product is bound to be miserable.

But the answer to your other question is there are plenty of good "white" wines made from red grapes. Think of the rosés from the south of France, made from Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, among others. Also, good rosati from Italy. And finally, as Hoke pointed out earlier in this thread, an increasing number of good dry rosés from the US.

[quote="Mark Willstatter ]
But the answer to your other question is there are plenty of good "white" wines made from red grapes. Think of the rosés from the south of France, made from Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, among others. Also, good rosati from Italy. And finally, as Hoke pointed out earlier in this thread, an increasing number of good dry rosés from the US.[/quote]

Sorry for the confusion; I meant white, not rose

I visited a Sainsburys local supermarket and saw one White Zin - Blossom Hill. Looks very Pink to me and far from White. Had a sweetness level of 4 whatever that means.

(Too embarrassed to buy it so I bought some condoms instead) I'll try again today.

Re your question "how many good still white [not rose] wines are made from red grapes? "

Well there aren't many still white [not rose] wines are made from red grapes - good or bad. (I haven't had any)

Are there any "Red" wines made from White grapes? - i.e. wines made from white grapes in red wine method with the skins left on for fermentation.

I
Are there any "Red" wines made from White grapes? - i.e. wines made from white grapes in red wine method with the skins left on for fermentation.

Well, Pink Pinot Grigio is in the shops now.

Some white wines are feremented on their skin for a short time for extra flavour/complexity.

Buehler Napa Valley is the least worst we've ever tried.

IAre there any "Red" wines made from White grapes? - i.e. wines made from white grapes in red wine method with the skins left on for fermentation.

Some white wines are made with more or less skin maceration, but I doubt if any are left on their skins for fermentation. For example white port typically has some skin maceration I have been told, and white Musar does too. You certainly detect astringency on white Musar - I haven't had a white port for a long time.

I understand that the reason white grape are not typically fermented on their skins is because the skins have so much more tannin than black ones, and so can get horribly astringent. That and the fact that they do not become any prettier to look at.

Perhaps carbonic maceration would be a good option for white grapes. Maybe there are interesting flavours adjacent to the skin that could be made more of.

Sorry for the confusion; I meant white, not rose

But "white" Zinfandel is a rosé, Peter!