Zin: The History And Mystery Of Zinfandel [Paperback]

David Darlington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2001

Here is the book that Frank J. Prial in the New York Times Book Review called "delightful…it weaves history, geography, wine, and some of the fascinating people who make it into a downright enthralling tale." It is the grape that has been stepped on, but never crushed. Long thought to produce workaday wines at best, the zinfandel grape has triumphed in the last decade, with stylish, sophisticated wines from the Ravenswood and Ridge wineries, among many others. In Zin, David Darlington delves into the murky and curious history of the wine and takes the story right up to the present, with portraits of the eccentric artisans who engineered the ascension of America's "native" wine. With an unerring eye for detail (a bedraggled vineyard in Sonoma County is described as looking "like a collection of fright wigs") and a gift for the on-target characterization (Sutter Home, for example, is called "the Sylvester Stallone among wineries"), Darlington has created a classic transcending its genre.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Is zinfandel worth a whole book? In this author's hands, yes. Emphatically." -- San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

About the Author

David Darlington is a writer and journalist in the San Francisco Bay Area whose previous books include In Condor Country, The Mojave, and Area 51: The Dreamland Chronicles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (April 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306810298
• ISBN-13: 978-0306810299
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,286,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars finally, a reprint!, August 14, 2001

By 

"vinobambino" (Poughkeepsie, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zin: The History And Mystery Of Zinfandel (Paperback)

Normally I do not write reviews about books, especially those that I have a featured if small part in. Yet after being mentioned in the rambling pontifications of a poorly-written and rather stunningly ignorant review I felt like perhaps I should comment on Darlington's work. In doing so I will try to focus on the actual text of the book rather than "crying foul" at rather normal publishing practices that occur regularly.

It is hard for me to decide which aspect of "Zin", or "Angels Visits" I like the most. First of all, the structure of the book is well done, in that it nicely parallels the known historical facts and theories of Zinfandel's presence as the only truly "American" grape varietal with the stories of Paul Draper, Joel Peterson, and their current philosophies regarding the varietal. Darlington's strength lies in his ability to capture the evolution and mystery surrounding Zinafandel in a coherent and fascinating manner, while painting accurate and detailed potraits of some of the main players in the industry. "Angels Visits" is something of an archetype in the area of wine literature because it successfully draws the reader into a world known by very few, and pretended to be known by very many.

I always thought it a shame that a second edition of the book never came out, and although I dislike the simpleton name on the cover and the packaging, it is really what is underneath these that counts. Perhaps more should have been written about the current status of Zinfandel, but this critique is outweighed by the very nature of the book. In being a historical review of the Zinfandel varietal, and a case study of the two best wineries during the early boom of Zinfandel, there is really no need for more to be written. Whatever needs to be included is written in the new epilogue by Darlington, where he notes the new styles of Zinfandel being pioneered by producers such as Turley and Martinelli and updates the reader on the current status of the two wineries and the people involved in the book.

There is no doubt that personal bias is involved when I write this review, remember, Darlington "labored in constant dread of rounding a corner and finding (my) precociousness scattered across the floor," I feel that this is a great work. I have been born and raised listening about, tasting and working with Zinfandel...yet everytime I pick up this book I learn something that I have never known. So, I say, as a picky and educated "Zinfandel aficionado", and a wine aficionado more generally, read this book, you will not be dissapointed.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars no sin with ZIN, September 10, 2001

By 

Cathleen Francisco (SONOMA, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zin: The History And Mystery Of Zinfandel (Paperback)

D. Darlington committed no sin by reprinting "Angel's Visits" under the new title "ZIN"...he did us a favor. I can not tell you how many times I recommended "Angel's Visits" to zinfandel lovers and then had to warn them that their search for it would be difficult as the book was now out of print. BUT NO MORE. Now a new generation of Zin fanatics can add to their wine library a book that is one of its kind. Get the book, settle down with a nice glass of Zinfandel and enjoy a journey into the world of winemaking, joyful characters, passionate people and ZIN!!!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reviewer Falk doesn't get it, June 18, 2001

By 

P. Danko (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zin: The History And Mystery Of Zinfandel (Paperback)

This is a re-issue of an out-of-print book -- and a classic, at that. That's why nothing's been changed. As for the new title, it's got a new publisher and that publisher wanted a less esoteric title. Sheesh. Get a clue.