Zinfandel
About Zinfandel
Although Zinfandel—known as Primitivo in Italy—hails from Europe, its most famous incarnations come from the United States. In California, this black grape produces spicy, unctuous red wines. A version of Zinfandel, known as white Zinfandel, is extremely popular in the United States.
In the vineyard, Zinfandel is a black grape with thin skin. Grapes grow in large, compact cones with berries of varying ripeness levels. Because grapes ripen at different times, the resulting wines can have a mix of dried and fresh fruit flavors, however some winemakers hand select the berries to hone the flavor profile. The grape thrives in warm, dry climates and can produce wines that are close to 20% alcohol-by-volume (abv). Wines are often made from old vines that have matured in the vineyard for as long as a century.
Zinfandel can be vinified into red and rosé wines. Red wines are red-purple in color, and display a signature spice profile, as well as jammy red fruits, like blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.
Zinfandel in California
Production of Zinfandel began to surge in California during the 1840s. It is now grown across the state, with notable examples coming from Napa, Sonoma, the Sierra Foothills, Amador County and Paso Robles. Styles vary among these regions, with some of the hotter climates yielding powerful wines with muscle and depth.
Zinfandel in Italy
Known as Primitivo in Italy, the grape is most well known in the southern region of Puglia. The generally warm climate of the area produces richly fruited wines that show lots of jammy cherry and blackberry tones, alongside lifted accents of spice, violet and orange rind. The most well-known expression from Puglia is Primitivo di Manduria, which is from a region that sits alongside the Ionian Sea. There are the richest, broadest examples from an area. In more central Puglia, Primitivo from the Gioia del Colle appellation can be lighter and more elegant in style. Well-priced, accessible options abound in the Salento Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT).
Zinfandel’s Origins
The grape originated in Croatia, where it is known as Crljenak Kaštelanski. From there, it spread to southern Italy. Italian immigrants brought the vine to the United States, where it eventually became widely planted in California.
Synonyms: Crljenak Kaštelanski, Kratošija, Morellone, Pribidrag, Primaticcio, Primitivo, Primitivo di Gioia, Primativo, Trebidrag, Tribidrag, Uva di Corato, Zagarese
What We're Tasting:
Possessed NV Godess Pinot Rosé (Willamette Valley)
What We're Tasting:
DFJ Vinhos 2022 Grand'Arte Chardonnay Chardonnay (Lisboa)
What We're Tasting:
Schweiger 2021 Estate Bottled Chardonnay (Spring Mountain District)
What We're Tasting:
Bodegas Murviedro 2018 Sericis Cepas Viejas Bobal Bobal (Utiel-Requena)
What We're Tasting:
Beckstone 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Horse Heaven Hills)
What We're Tasting:
Château Sainte Marguerite 2022 Fantastique Rosé (Côtes de Provence)
What We're Tasting:
Maison Sainte Marguerite 2022 Symphonie Rosé (Côtes de Provence)
What We're Tasting:
ALDI 2021 Bear Bros. Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
What We're Tasting:
ALDI 2020 Exquisite Collection Chardonnay (California)
What We're Tasting:
Eternal 2019 Eternal Evolution Skin Contact White White (Columbia Valley (WA))
What We're Tasting:
Domaine de Cala 2022 Rosé (Coteaux Varois en Provence)
What We're Tasting:
OTU 2022 Otuwhero Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Awatere Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Ca' del Bosco NV Cuvée Prestige 44 Edizione Extra Brut Sparkling (Franciacorta)
What We're Tasting:
Evening Land 2021 La Source Chardonnay (Eola-Amity Hills)
What We're Tasting:
Evening Land 2021 Summum Chardonnay (Eola-Amity Hills)
What We're Tasting:
Château d'Esclans 2021 Garrus Rosé (Côtes de Provence)
What We're Tasting:
Esteban Martín 2019 Garnacha-Syrah-Tempranillo 6M Red (Cariñena)
What We're Tasting:
Grgich Hills 2019 Miljenko's Selection Crljenak Kaštelanski Estate Grown Zinfandel (Napa Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Grgich Hills 2018 Estate Grown Zinfandel (Napa Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Grgich Hills 2019 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Cà di Rajo 2021 Millesimato Rosé Brut Sparkling (Prosecco Treviso)
What We're Tasting:
Tyrrell's 2020 Rufus Stone Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River)
What We're Tasting:
Château Vignelaure 2022 Rosé (Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence)
What We're Tasting:
Monteabellón 2021 5 Meses en Barrica Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)
What We're Tasting:
Dominio de Atauta 2019 La Celestina Crianza Tinto Fino (Ribera del Duero)
What We're Tasting:
Bodegas Luzón 2019 Alma de Luzón Monastrell-Syrah (Jumilla)
What We're Tasting:
Virtus 2019 El Sueco Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)
What We're Tasting:
Viñas Murillo 2021 Chapirete Prefiloxerico Verdejo Verdejo (Rueda)
What We're Tasting:
Sanford 2020 La Rinconada Vineyard Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)
What We're Tasting:
Browne Family Vineyards 2020 Forest Project Red (Columbia Valley (WA))
What We're Tasting:
Browne Family Vineyards 2022 Bitner Estate Grenache Rosé (Columbia Valley (WA))
What We're Tasting:
Sartori 2015 Corte Brá Red (Amarone della Valpolicella)
What We're Tasting:
Sartori 2016 Reius Red (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
Sign Up For Wine Enthusiast Emails For Discounts And More!
Welcome to Wineenthusiast.com! By using our website and/or subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our Privacy Policy