A few years ago while visiting my friends Jeff & Sue Pavone (yes, that Jeff Pavone) in Scottsdale, I was intrigued by a Zinfandel labeled ‘7 Deadly Zins’. Knowing nothing about the wine and unable to sample it at the wine store, I took a chance, rationalizing that if the winemakers could have fun with their wine, maybe we would also. At the time, I believe I paid about $25-30. We drank it and enjoyed it.

After my first introduction, I searched high and low, but was unable to find this California wine in my home state. A couple of years later, while crawling the wine section of Costco, I stumbled upon my old friend…7 Deadly Zins! It was the same wine I’d previously enjoyed, and due to its commercial success, it is now available in larger quantities, and at a much lower price. Now it’s my everyday vintage, I buy it by the case (for under $12/bottle), recommend it often, and gift it regularly.

It turns out, the name of the wine is really a tribute to the blend of Zinfandel grapes from seven different vineyards. It’s a big wine that is great with anything grilled or by itself on those evenings when a glass of wine is a deserved reward for a day well done.

While my selection method isn’t scientific, and certainly not recommended by wine connoisseurs, it works for me. On that day in an Arizona wine shop, I met a wine that was memorable because of its label. What has 7 Deadly Zins taught me?

What’s inside should be good, even great…but presentation is just as important!