Wine of the Week

This is a wine that stars the art of blending. It combines three grape varieties from 10 vineyards--Zinfandel from Dry Creek and Russian River valleys, Petite Sirah from Dry Creek and Carignane from Alexander Valley among them. The result is a beautifully balanced wine with a dried-cherry flavor reminiscent of Amarone.

Ridge Zinfandels tend to be leaner than the big jammy blockbusters that get the highest scores from the wine gurus. So much the better for those of us who prefer wines that actually go with food. This one should match up well with summer’s barbecues.

About $20. Available at most fine wine shops and retailers, and also directly from Ridge Vineyards at www.ridgewine .com.

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S. Irene Virbila