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Zinfandel

Zinfandel – known in Italy as Primitivo – is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the USA. This red grape variety probably originally came from Croatia, but the wines from Apulia and California are more famous.

Zinfandel: the New World’s grape variety

For many years Americans believed that Zinfandel was a grape variety native to North America. However, DNA typing has since revealed that it is almost identical to the Croatian Tribidrag and Italian Primitivo varieties. Zinfandel is one of the most important grape varieties in the USA. In Apulia it was first bottled as a Primitivo varietal around 1900.

The variety was cultivated in the USA as far back as 1850, but it was not bottled as a varietal wine in Apulia until around 1900. Zinfandel, often simply called Zin in the USA, is a high-yielding grape and so was initially grown for inexpensive mass-produced wines. Red, rosé, dry, sweet and fortified wines were produced. However, the variety is best suited to dry, still red wines. These are dark with spicy aromas of cinnamon and cloves and juicy blackberries. Great Zinfandels can age for a very long time and marry well with the aromas of new oak barrels. Despite its very high quality, the prices of Zin have remained low.

Aromatic Zinfandel wines

Zinfandel – often simply called Zin in the USA – is a high-yielding grape and so was initially grown for inexpensive mass-produced wines. By far the majority of vineyard hectarage in the USA can be found in California. Harvesting Zinfandel is often a challenge for winegrowers because both ripe and still green berries, or even already dry ones, can be hanging on the same bunch. Despite the very high quality of today’s Zinfandels, prices have remained relatively low.

The natural sugar content of the Zinfandel grape is very high. The grapes are vinified to make red, rosé, dry, sweet and fortified wines. However, the variety is best suited to dry, still red wines. Zinfandel yields dark wine with spicy aromas of cinnamon and cloves and juicy blackberries. In good vintages, Zinfandel wines can age for a very long time and marry well with the aromas of new oak barrels.

Colour

dark

Aroma

spicy

Bouquet

cinnamon and cloves, juicy blackberries