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Deep Purple Lodi Zinfandel
Like any budding young guitar hero, the first song I ever learned to play by ear on the guitar was Smoke on the Water, so there has always been a soft spot in my heart for the music of Deep Purple. I have listened to them often, first on cassette, then CD, and now on my iPod. I even saw them in concert once back in the 1980’s.
I have never listed them among my favorite bands. I don’t think anyone does. They’ve always been there, though lingering in the background and making me wonder frequently why I don’t listen to them more often.
(Big in Japan, they say. What is it about not-quite-top-notch hard rock bands that they’re always loved in Japan? Is it because the Japanese will listen to anything? Are they that starved for western bands to tour over there?)
For me, Deep Purple has always been the comfort food of hard rock bands. Consistent, deceptively talented, fun to listen to, loud and raucous, and at times incredibly corny and clichéd, they are, in many ways, the epitome of a hard rock arena band; the real life Spinal Tap.Who would name a wine after a band like that? A genius, that’s who. The moment I saw the wine on the shelf, I knew I had to have it. I thought I heard it calling my name, in fact. Had it been named for Led Zeppelin or Metallica or Aerosmith or Guns and Roses, I would have thought the association to be hokey and ridiculous.
But Deep Purple? That’s a statement. At first, the Deep Purple name seems like a product staking a claim at mediocrity. This wine will not be among the best. Ever.
And yet those of us in the know also understand that Deep Purple is not just any second tier hard rock band. Deep Purple has something – it’s not clear what, but something – that sets them apart and makes them a familiar and respected name despite lyrics like “Ooh / she's A killer machine / she's got everything / like a moving mouth / body control and everything.”
Deep Purple does not fail to please.
And the wine doesn’t either. The label, like a Deep Purple lyric, lists the flavors one will experience. “Fruit bomb, blackberry, vanilla fudge, exploding, nice and spicy, monster fruit, black pepper, hedonistic, cinnamon and clover over and over.”
And, believe it or not, the flavors are all there. It’s a really surprisingly fun wine to drink. A bit fruity and heavy on the grape, I suppose, but the black pepper and cinnamon really do come through and the finish is fantastically sharp. It’s a fun wine to drink, especially with Deep Purple blaring on the stereo. No matter what I get out of this, I know--I know--I’ll never forget...Sadly, I didn’t actually get this wine for under $10, but that’s the great thing about Deep Purple. There’s no reason to buy their albums when they’re released, because you know they’ll be in the bargain bin alongside Cheap Trick and Joe Cocker within three months. If this wine is true to it’s name, it will be selling for $6.99 before 2011 is over.
Except in Japan.
9 out of 10 (If it had been named for Led Zeppelin people would call it a 10)
Deep Purple Lodi Zinfindel, 2007
$11.99 at Target, but destined to find it’s way to the bargain bin in no time.
Deep Purple is not only big in Japan, but huge in the UK, typically ranked alongside Zeppelin, Queen and Pink Floyd as one of the biggest bands ever.
ReplyDeleteWhen did you see Deep Purple in concert? Why wasn't I there?
Sounds like the perfect wine for a summer BBQ... Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteyep, found it in the bargain bin this afternoon, grabbed as many bottles as i could place my hands on..., unfortunately that would only be two. looking forward to trying this out, maybe break out some vinyl to go with.
ReplyDelete