The Wine Reference🍷 SupportZinfandel grape
Photo: Hari Nandakumar on Unsplash
Zinfandel is a red grape known for blackberry, plum, pepper. Its best-known homes are California.
Origin and history
DNA shows it is the same vine as Croatia's Tribidrag (Crljenak Kaštelanski) and Italy's Primitivo; it reached the US in the 1820s and spread through California.
Where it grows
California (Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley, Lodi, Paso Robles, Amador County, Napa), plus Croatia and Puglia under other names, and Western Australia.
Structure
Full body, high alcohol (often 14.5–16%), moderate acidity and medium tannins; berries ripen unevenly in the bunch.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: blackberry, raspberry jam, plum, black pepper and sweet spice. With age: dried fruit, raisin, leather and earth.
Ageing
Most best within 2–6 years; top old-vine examples, such as Ridge's, can age 10–20.
Also known as
Primitivo, Tribidrag, Crljenak Kaštelanski.
Good to know
Sweet pink White Zinfandel became a hit after a stuck fermentation at Sutter Home in 1975; its popularity helped save many old Zinfandel vineyards.
Wine regions for Zinfandel
Zinfandel wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs
Sonoma · Dry Creek Valley · Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
Spicy field blend: bramble fruit, black pepper and a savoury edge.
Food: Barbecue, ribs
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Zinfandel
California · Zinfandel
Ripe, jammy California Zinfandel.
Food: BBQ, burgers
Seghesio Family Vineyards Sonoma Zinfandel
Sonoma · Sonoma County · Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
Juicy bramble fruit, black pepper and a hint of sweet spice, generous yet balanced rather than jammy.
Food: Barbecued baby back ribs
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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