SuppliedBarefoot Red Zinfandel
Liquor Depot
$9.99
People always judge me when they see me go for a bottle Barefoot wine. Rightfully so, several of them are less than stellar. However, the red zinfandel has become a palatable and budget-friendly staple of mine.
The first thing I notice is the award sticker every Barefoot varietal displays. It’s the only wine I ever see claiming these prizes. I can’t help but imagine the annual Barefoot and Barefoot only awards show. They deserve some credit though—one does get a silver. The zinfandel does garner a “Gold Medal” though and with good reason: it is by far the best of a mediocre bunch.
When you first open the bottle, jammy notes that hint of blackberry or currant but mostly cheap jam—maybe no name—waft forward. The initial flatness is always a problem with this wine. Whereas most wines become more complex as they breathe, this one becomes palatable. You get what you pay for. The wine fills my glass with a deep ruby red, indicating the flavours to come. The first sips are pleasantly sour with hard-to-discern spicy undertones. But as it breathes, this simple palate becomes more robust. Ripe cherry and vanilla come forward, as well as deep earthy flavours like rich soil, turned over in a garden.
If you’re looking for a student-budget friendly red, Barefoot Zinfandel is always a good choice. Swirl it vigorously, and it delivers a full-bodied, easy-drinking red. Be warned, though, your savings will catch up with you the next morning. Perhaps Barefoot contains an ungodly amount of sulphites. I have no idea, but a seasoned drinker I know once puked after finishing a bottle of the Shiraz.
