First Annual #Zinfandel Day November 19

ROUGH & READY, Calif., Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Blogger and social media entrepreneur R. Christian Oggenfuss and Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) announce Global Zinfandel Day (called "#Zinfandel"), November 19th from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. (PST). "It's a 24-hour event for wine lovers to explore Zinfandel, the uniquely American varietal that pairs well with a wide array of foods," explains organizer Chris Oggenfuss. "For our premiere #Zinfandel Day we envision people around the world tasting Zinfandels and sharing their recommendations, whether with friends at home or in the virtual global community via #Zinfandel on social media sites," he adds.

"November is a great time to celebrate the heritage of American Zinfandel, especially as we approach that uniquely American holiday, Thanksgiving," adds Rebecca Robinson, Executive Director, Zinfandel Advocates & Producers. "America's own Zinfandel has come to be recognized and respected internationally as a world-class red wine that pairs well with everything from turkey to apple pie," said Robinson. "#Zinfandel Day is a great way for wine lovers world-wide to share food pairing recommendations, plans for the holidays, or travel tips for visiting Zinfandel wineries in California."

Helpful links: #Zinfandel Day participants should register at http://zinfandel.eventbrite.com or http://www.meetup.com/zinfandel/, and travelers who would like to visit participating #Zinfandel Day wineries in person on November 19th will find a list of participating wineries on these sites as well. For the foodie interested in sharing food pairing ideas with friends, log on to http://www.zinfandelic.com/zinfandel-wine-food-pairing.html.

The organizers of #Zinfandel Day encourage people to share these links and set up tastings with friends, wherever they may be. People can follow along on Twitter by using Twitter management software such as HootSuite or Tweetdeck and set up a search column for #zinfandel, the hashtag to use to keep up with fellow Zinfandel fans from around the globe. People can also participate via Facebook, Ustream or other networks.

App aficionados participating in #Zinfandel Day will want to download the new ZAP App for iPhone, iPad, and iPod users - a great tool to map Zinfandel wineries, describe a wine's particular aroma on the app's spinning Aroma Wheel, and score favorite Zinfandels into a personal portable database. The Zap App is a great tool that works for any varietal tasting, whether at a wine festival, restaurant or friend's home.

Not a social media or app junkie? No problem. #Zinfandel Day is all about enjoying the experience of this uniquely American wine with friends, food and family.

The Association of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) is a non-profit, educational 501(c)(3) organization. ZAP is dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. Winegrowers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts combine to form the membership. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America's heritage wine. ZAP's membership includes approximately 275 winery-members, 5,000 advocate members and 100 associate members.

The 20th Annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Wine Festival will take place January 27-29, 2011, in San Francisco: it consists of four events in three days, showcasing approximately 250 wineries, pouring their barrel samples and new releases, together with educational seminars, culinary demonstrations and decadent food pairings. The ZAP Festival is the most comprehensive showing of Zinfandel wines in the world.

Good Eats and Zinfandel Pairing takes place on January 27; Flights: Stories from the Vineyard Zinspiration Series and Evening With The Winemakers on January 28 and The Grand Zinfandel Tasting on January 29. Tickets are now on sale! Visit www.Zinfandel.org for tickets and event details. Become a ZAP member ($44) and enjoy exclusive benefits and member savings.

R. Christian Oggenfuss is a longtime wine enthusiast and professional, with over 15 years of fine wine experience, on both sides of the Atlantic, and holds his certification and his Diploma from The Wine & Spirits Educational Trust in London. He is currently working towards his Master of Wine degree. Chris is a specialist in Direct to Consumer Marketing, Social Media, and Wine Education.

Wineries wanting to participate: http://blog.vintuba.com/zinfandel-day-more-info/

Downloadable high res images and graphics about Zinfandel: www.zinfandel.org/media

SOURCE Zinfandel Advocates & Producers