Jancis Robinson’s article “In with Zin”, about why California’s Zinfandel grape is so under-appreciated (Spectrum, April 5), included an accompanying piece, “Where is Zinfandel originally from?”.
To answer this, it’s necessary to recall one of the Napa Valley greats, the late Mike Grgich who spent many years eager to prove that Zinfandel came from Croatia, convinced that its vines were reminiscent of those he knew as a child in Dalmatia.
As your piece makes clear, his nostalgia-fuelled instinct proved right. Establishing the Croatian link was perhaps his most cherished achievement, apart from having his 1973 Château Montelena Chardonnay selected as “world’s best wine” in a blind tasting, the first time in history an American wine would win against France’s finest wineries.
Grgich passed away a couple of years ago, aged 101. I interviewed him for the Croatian daily Jutarnji list in 2013. His is a remarkable, inspiring story about a poor immigrant running away from the failed system in his own country to achieve his American dream. A story to make America truly great!
Ana Blanquart
Journalist, Zagreb, Croatia
