Three Low Priced Zinfandels- Fetzer, Kunde, and Ivan Tamas
by F. Sot Fitzgerald

Zinfandel, not to be confused with the chilled, pink stuff known as White Zinfandel, seems to come in two basic forms.  There's the thick, meaty Zins, like Francis Coppola's Diamond Series 1997 Zinfandel.  Then there's the thinner, lighter, more fruity Zinfandels.  These three Zins fall in the latter category.  All come from California, all are $11 or less a bottle.

Fetzer's 1997 Home Ranch Zinfandel ($7.99), of which there's likely not much left, is quite light, offers up a grapey berry main note, along with light pepper and barrel.  It's a touch warm going down, so it probably ought to be paired with food, especially beef, lamb and perhaps fatty bland cheeses. (Rating ***)