ZINFANDEL

Smooth and spicy variety

Zinfandel or Primitivo

Also known as Primitivo (Italy), Crljenak (Croatia)

The grape variety is native to Croatia and not to the Italian Puglia (Apulia) as commmonly thought, although it was cultivated there very early on in the Phoenician trade. It also emerged simultaneously in California 200 years ago, commonly known as Zinfandel, where it became very popular in the United States. It is a high-yielding, hardy variety that likes warm climates and is also known to be resistant to disease. The grape variety offers a red wine that is better known than its mono-varietal rosé wine (called White Zinfandel). These reds are appreciated for their spicy character with cinnamon and clove aromas thanks to their passage in barrels. The high sugar content gives the wine a velvety appearance. Tasty from their youth being not very tannic, they are not kept for more than 8 years. They are warm wines which marvellously combine power and class. Interestingly, a strong Primitivo di Manduria is nothing like a Californian Zinfandel because the terroir is quite different: it will have more character and intensity. It gets its name from the early ripening of its bunches. In Puglia, where it is hand-picked depending on the degree of ripeness of the grapes, it can sometimes be harvested twice (between mid-August and mid-October).

WHERE IS IT FOUND?
In France and all over the world

WORLDWIDE

United States (California), Italy (Puglia), South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Chile, Croatia, Israel, New Zealand.

MAIN APPELLATIONS
By type of wine: Red & rose

Lodi, Sonoma, Napa Valley (California); Primitivo di Manduria DOC, Primitivo di Puglia IGT (Italy)

White Zinfandel Central Valley (semi-sweet rosé wine), Lodi (California)

SHALL WE TASTE?
In the glass

Reds

Wine coloured with a deep purple hue. Warm nose of jammy fruits (raspberry, blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry), spices (clove, cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg) with occasionally a wild touch of undergrowth or smoke. On the palate, the fruity aromas impose themselves with a lot of power. Velvety smoothness due to the high degree of alcohol (over 14% and up to 16%) and a high sugar content which, however, does not break the subtle balance when the richness of the fruit is in proportion. Italian Primitivo wines are more intense, less fruity but more marked by pepper, while Zinfandel wines are more structured and supple with their cherry, blackberry and aniseed notes. Serve at room temperature up to 18°C.

ROSéS

Colour varying from pale pink to ruby tones. The range is wide: there are dry and semi-sweet wines with varied profiles, from simply fruity to rich and complex rosé wines.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS
Zinfandel and food

Reds

The power of red wines makes them an excellent accompaniment to Italian cuisine and hearty meat dishes (grilled, baked and roasted beef, pork, as well as meat in sauce (leg of lamb, stew, stew, beef with olives...), hearty vegetable dishes, pasta with game stew, stuffed peppers...), as well as game dishes (wild boar, rabbit). Its character supports spicy dishes (chili con carne, tagine, moussaka...). Hard cheeses or blue cheeses. Also delicious with chocolate.

ROSéS

Aperitif, antipasti, salad, charcuterie, savoury pies, grilled fish (tuna steak, swordfish...)

OUR ZINFANDELS...

ZINFANDEL
More information

The star grape variety of the United States

The Zinfandel grape variety originated in Central Europe and was introduced to America at the beginning of the 19th century by an Austrian winegrower. It has long been appreciated as a table grape. Today, Zinfandel is THE Californian grape variety. Almost all Zinfandel wines are produced in California, as the United States has become the main producer of this black grape variety. So popular that the colloquial term 'zin' is used by Americans to refer to Zinfandel red wines...

One of Italy's noble grape varieties.

It is also grown in Italy where it is called Primitivo. It is one of the noble grape varieties of the southern Italy and it is of great importance in the Apulia region.

Arriving with the establishment of the Phoenician trade more than two millennia ago. Puglia is the most important region for the cultivation of this grape, it benefits from the Mediterranean climate of the Adriatic Sea, grows on the soil of barren limestone rocks and is swept by refreshing winds. The best known appellation is undoubtedly the Primitivo di Manduria DOC (Protected Designation of Origin). Primitivo di Puglia IGT wines are also popular and excellent. Elegant red wines, fruity and full-bodied, with soft tannins that delight the palate. Their alcohol content is very high due to the high sugar content of the berries.

-In this region, it is cultivated by hand according to the degree of maturity of the seed, which can also be left to over-ripen (passerillage technique on the vine stock). Some winegrowers thus produce a sweet version (vin doux naturel) which is less well known but delicious.

-Those who like the strong and powerful red wines will also like the Primitivo.

A Croatian gift

- Primitivo is genetically identical to Zinfandel, as both grapes are clones of a single variety traced back to the Croatian Crljenak Kaštelanski grape variety. Both simply developed differently after their separation. In general, Californian winemakers allow Zinfandel to ripen with a higher sugar and alcohol content, which gives the wine a softer, more supple style. On the other hand, Primitivo ripens under the warm Italian sun, creating a warmer, less fruity and less sweet version of its Californian counterpart.

-Also known as: Zin, Zinfandal, Morellone ; Crljenak Kaštelanski, Pribidrag, Tribidrag (Crotie), Krotosija (Monténégro).