Must Love Wine - Member Profile

Member Type: Wine Enthusiast
Profile Views: 2,143 views
Friends: 18 friends
Last Update: March 31, 2008
Joined: March 31, 2008

asp3

asp3 → Zinfandel Wine: Be sure to check out the discussion section. Feel freel to reply to an existing topic or start your own topic.
- April 8, 2008
asp3 → Bargain Wines: If you have a wine that you like that you consider a bargain, please either post a comment or better yet add a topic for the wine in the discussion area.
- April 8, 2008
asp3 → Zinfandel Wine: Mark, I don't think you need to move the existing comments to discussions. I think it would be useful just to get people to start using the discussions.

It would be really great if the Groups list could be ordered by the last discussion post.... more
- April 9, 2008
winebratsf: Yo Tony! We have to liven up the group. Mark's been doing a lot of work updating the site, so come back!
- November 14, 2008
asp3 → Vinodiversity: One of my favorite wines in Australia was a Durif we picked up between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. Great stuff. My favorite Australian wine that I generally don't find here in the US was a GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Malvedra)
- July 6, 2008
dianeo: Are you a Battlestar Galactica fan?
- June 13, 2008
Mark: Hi Tony, we have started a SF Bay wine group and sent you an invitation. We'd love to have you join the group.
- June 12, 2008
asp3 → TheWinePrincess: Thanks for recommending a Merlot in the Bargain Wines group!
- April 9, 2008
asp3 → WineGent: Thanks for joining and posting on the Bargain Wines group!
- April 9, 2008
JodiLee: Hi Tony! Thanks for adding me. Ciao!
- April 8, 2008
asp3 → ky: I don't get out much, but when I do it's usually Castle Rock above Saratoga or Pinnacles for one day trips and Yosemite for weekend trips. I've also climbed at Owen's and JTree on longer trips. I'd like to get down to Red Rocks,... more
- April 3, 2008
Alaya: I like your bio, thanks for sharing!
- April 3, 2008
ky: Hello Tony, I haven't climbed recently, but I climbed quite a bit from 2001 til last year. Hopefully I'll move back to san francisco soon and I'll pick it right back up! Where do you climb outdoors?
- April 3, 2008
Tif: Thanks for the tip! I'm going to check it out now!
- April 2, 2008
asp3 → Tif: Tif, I highly recommand a visit to www.veggieboards.com/boards . It's a great discussion board with some wonderful people on it. They have lots of great nutrition information and other things. I also recommend visiting http://www.pcrm.org (Physici... more
- April 2, 2008
asp3 → ky: I noticed that you're a rock climber. I climb too, mainly indoors these days, but I do get outside from time to time.
- April 2, 2008
Tif: Yes, I have a few odd wine behaviors. My old college roommate used to make fun of me because I would only drink reds in the winter and whites in the summer. I'm so glad I've outgrown that one.

I haven't had a lot of trouble pairing w... more
- April 1, 2008
asp3 → Tif: Pleased to meet you as well. Pairing wine with books is a new concept to me. I definitely enjoy having a glass of wine while I'm reading, but I'v never really thought of pairing the two.

As a vegetarian do you find it difficult to pair ... more
- April 1, 2008
Tif: Salut! It's good to meet you!
- April 1, 2008
Mark: Hello Tony, thanks for being a part of Must Love Wine. If I can answer any questions for you feel free to message me.
- March 31, 2008

Personal Information

Name Tony Purmal
Twitter
About Me Even though I didn't realize it at the time my love of wine started when I was boy and my parents dragged me along on their winery tours in the Napa Valley. At the time that was the last thing I wanted to be doing. I now an grateful that I actually saw some of the wineries during the late 60's.

My parents let me taste their wine from time to time and I only liked champagne (and cold duck) for most of my youth. When I was around 13 I tasted the first still wine that I really enjoyed. It was a home made Zinfandel made by a man my father had worked with in Southern California. He had moved to Sonoma County and bought some vineyards. The wine was amazing, it was full of spices and fruit. I distinctly remember cinammon and pepper flavors.

I've been touring and tasting in California since I turned 21 and have found many wines I love. I don't have much experience with European wines, but I have had some that I've enjoyed.

I'm a lead volunteer (volunteer manager) for ZAP and Family Winemakers of California and volunteer at other wineries and events as well.

Besides wine, I love music, art, climbing, food, travel, science fiction, hiking, bicycling, Burning Man, camping, television and movies.

I'm employed in the Silicon Valley area of California. I'm married and have two sons who are out of the house.
Gender Male
Marital Status Married
Occupation technical support engineer
Favorite Wines Zinfandel
Petite Sirah
Malbec
Grenach-Syrah-Mourvedre blends
Cabernet Franc
Barbera
Sangiovese
Gewurztraminer
Viognier
Ports

Geographic Information

City San Jose
US State California
Country USA
Favorite Link http://

Zinfandel Wine

97 members

Zinfandel can be light and fruity, much like French Beaujolais, or lively, complex and age worthy, like cabernet sauvignon or claret. It can also be made into big, ripe, high alcohol style wines that almost resemble port.

Zinfandel has a very hardy nature. Adaptable to a wide range of soils and climates, its vines tend to be vigorous and productive.

Because of its vigor, generosity and resistance to vine disease, many zinfandel vineyards exist that are seventy-five to more than one hundred years old.

Zinfandel aficionados believe these "old vines" produce the best wines because the older vineyards set smaller crops and the grapes tend to ripen more evenly.

Zinfandel is one red varietal that is best enjoyed in its youth. With more bottle age the luscious fruit that distinguishes Zinfandel drops markedly and the wine can show a pronounced taste of higher alcohol levels.

When paired with grilled steaks, chops or meat that has been stewed Zinfandel becomes a prime motivation for people to become wine lovers.
White Wine Reviews

56 members

Please post your reviews for white wines here. I encourage everyone to participate in a lively discussion of their favorite white wines. Your review may be as formal or informal as you like. It would be great if you could also rate the wine on a 100 point scale.
Cabernet Franc Wine

43 members

Cabernet Franc is one of the leading varietals of red wine produced in Bordeaux, France. Cabernet Franc has a peppery aroma and fruity flavor that is more delicate than its close relative, the Cabernet Sauvignon. Depending on the place of production and the specific wine making process, Cabernet Franc may also exude aromas of tobacco, raspberry, and cassis. It has a lower tannin level and has a distinct blueberry/raspberry flavor. Cabernet Franc is usually mixed with other varietals of wine like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In recent times, wine producers have increasingly sold Cabernet Franc as a stand alone varietal.

Aside from the Bourdeaux region, Cabernet Franc is also produced in the Loire Valley. Other countries such as Argentina, the Balkan states, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Romania, and South Africa also produce Cabernet Franc. Of particular interest is the ice wine made from Cabernet Franc in Canada. Ice wine is a type of dessert wine made from grapes that were frozen while still on the vine.
Napa Valley, CA

73 members

California's most celebrated wine region is the Napa valley. While other regions lie in close proximity to the Napa Valley (Sonoma and Carneros) it is Napa that most people know by name. In fact a lot of people lump in Carneros and Sonoma when they talk about Napa.

The Napa Valley, while only 20 miles long, stretches from the cooler town of Napa to the slightly warmer Calistoga where the foggy ocean access is left behind. In this small valley many vineyards have made their home. Some of California's finest Cabernet Sauvignons come form Napa as do great Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Cabernet Franc blends.

Some of the most notable vineyards are; Schramsberg, Beringer, Grgich Hills, Rubicon Estates, Robert Mondavi, Domaine Chandon, Chimney Rock, Stag's Leap, Rutherford Hill, Niebaum-Coppola, ZD, Merryvale, Mumm Napa, raymond and Beaulieu Vineyard.
Petite Sirah Wine

34 members

I for one, consider drinking a glass of red wine as a perfect ending to any dinner occasion. A bottle of Petite Sirah could only mean one thing. That there are better things to come. So whenever I see one at the center table, I'm reminded of the good laughs, cheers, and stories I've shared with my family and friends. Anything is better with this tasteful bottle of red wine. What I also love about Petite Sirah is the full-bodied taste that leaves a mouthwatering sensation. That's why I love to drink slow and let the rich flavors linger through.

I usually can't imagine a glass of Petite Sirah without thinking about good food. So believe me when I say that Petite Sirah is best with stews and flavored chops of meat. I have the privilege of knowing it through experience. Its rich texture and ripe flavors are great with lamb chops and game stews. I would also suggest that you try it with goose. Petite Sirah is great for enjoying a hearty meal.

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