Zinfandel

 

Name of varietal: Zinfandel
 
Common synonyms: Primitivo, Crljenak Kaštelanski (Croatia, believed to be its root), White Zinfandel, Zin, Blush, Zinfendal
 
Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is likely the same grape as Zinfandel. In 2002, DNA testing proved that California Zinfandel has the same genetic structure as the Croatian Crljenak Kastelanski, which is likely its origin.
 
History of the grape: Zinfandel was originally brought over to the US from the Imperial Austrian plant collection by horticulturalist George Gibbs in 1820. There are records of a Boston, Massachusetts nursery selling “Zinfandal” vines for sale in the 1830s. During this time it had become a popular table grape in the Northeast. In the 1840s, it was transported to California during the Gold Rush. It became an abundant crop due to the ease in which it’s grown, requiring minimal pruning and no Read more »

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Popular Zinfandel wines

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Popular Regions for Zinfandel View all

  • Dry Creek Valley

    The Carneros AVA straddles between both Napa and Sonoma Valleys, with distinct climates. The Na...

  • San Luis Obispo County

      San Luis Obispo is part of the larger wine Central Coast region of California, located at ...

  • California

    Viticulture in California began in the 1700s as Spanish missionaries worked their way north fro...

  • Napa

      There is some debate over how this famous wine region got its name. Spanish settlers named...

  • Sonoma County

      Wine-making in Sonoma, California began in 1812 when Russian colonists planted grapes at F...

  • Russian River Valley

    The Russian River Valley is the most southerly AVA within Northern Sonoma. It is named for the ...

  • Lodi

    The Lodi wine region lies in the northern portion of California’s Central Valley, which include...

  • El Dorado County

    The spectacular Sierra Nevada range offers a fitting backdrop to the vineyards of El Dorado Count...

  • USA

    "American Wine" has existed since the first Europeans brought their vinous heritage and tradition...

Popular Wineries using Zinfandel

  • Unti Vineyards

    Unti Vineyards is a small, family-owned and operated winery specializing in red varietal wines wi...

  • Montemaggiore

    We were captivated by the genuine quality of life in Montemaggiore, a small moutain village in so...

  • Pezzi King Vineyards & Winery

    James P. Rowe, Sr., is passionate about his Italian heritage. His love of agriculture is rooted i...

  • Lake Sonoma Winery

    You can’t make great wine from mediocre grapes. Lake Sonoma Winery is dedicated to creating th...

  • J. Pedroncelli Winery

    Since 1927, when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased vineyard and a small winery in Sonoma County's D...

  • Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate

    The estate was founded in 1979 and named Domaine Michel by Jean-Jacques Michel. A native of Switz...

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Zinfandel on Snooth

  • Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel 2010

    Snoothrank:

    Let's start this by saying OMG, this is a great wine. Once I smelled it I knew I would like it. Fills the nose with that deep berry aroma. Tastes of berry, sweet on the entire mouth, vanilla, cedar, nice soft pepper spice and a wonderful taste left in the mouth. This is one of the best I've tried. Wow! Read More

    Wine review by jamessulis


  • D Cubed Zinfandel Napa Valley 2007

    Snoothrank:

    Fairly volatile nose. Initial mouth sensation is sweet. Lot of blackberry fruit. Some raisin. The good news is that the "sweet" sensation seems to be coming from fruit and not alcohol--it doesn't seem to be a particularly "hot" wine. OK wine to accompany a very casual meal, but not a Zin to seek out. US$23.99 at Wine Club about a year ago. Read More

    Wine review by EMark


  • Grilled Tri-tip and Zinfandel.   Mmmmmmmm. Read More

    Forum post in the topic Whatcha drinking tonight-...


  • Hobo Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2010

    Snoothrank:

    An interesting if unremarkable Zinfandel. Interesting because it often the best California red available in some restaurants. The wine is slightly dilute, with notes of blackberry. One can't help wondering if a slightly lower alcohol percentage than 14.4 would help round out this wine. Read More

    Wine review by ff1959


  • Cosentino Winery The Zin 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Dusty, cedary nose of underbrush, white pepper and sage. Zesty wild red berry on the palate with nice herbal spice and pepper. Cedar notes. Zippy, but had good balance.88 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Dancing Bull Zinfandel 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Never tasted such a smooth zin, Unexpectedly low alcohol, only 13,5% but it has very nice bold fruity taste. Read More

    Wine review by ApelsecS


  • Ottimino Zinfandel Von Weidlich Vineyard 2008

    Snoothrank:

    Calm nose. Fresh red berry and light herb and white pepper. Nice. 87 pts.5/10/13 at NWC room Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Ottimino Zinfandel Ottimino Vineyard 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Nice and smooth. Zesty, but well balanced. Red and black raspberry flavors. Wild bramble berry and pepper. Nice. 88 pts. 5/10/13 at NWC room Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Ottimino Zinfandel Russian River Valley Rancho Bello 2008

    Snoothrank:

    Zesty, peppery red berry nose. On the palate, it's zesty and herbal with red berry flavors accented by pepper. Good balance and juicy acid with a nice sage edge to it. 87 pts.5/10/13 at NWC room Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Jon and I had a lot of fun the other day in the wine store, and, yup, I ... ... Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Italian Red, Sauternes, just about anything else--and I don't feel like I'm cheated.  It just doesn't work for me with PN. I have mentioned in at least on other post here on the Forum that I am willing to continue the search for t... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Pinot Noir Thread - Domestics...


  • THIS PRODUCT IS ABSOLUTELY SMASHING.

    Comment by 1134302REDS 45 1134302 REDS 45


  • If you ever find yourself in Southern Italy, you can put this primitivo/zinfandel connection to the taste test at the Moio family wine operation in Mondragone. Check out their website, and then check out their wines! They generally cook up four or five different primitivi each year, with Maitico being the most expensive and 57 the mid-priced a...

    Comment by 656126mjapka 656126 mjapka


  • I also love Lodi Zifindales-OVZ, Deep Purple, Earthquake,Herman Walters Family Vine ,Campus Oak,Starry Night,are some. These are not from Lodi- Imortal Zin(better the next day),Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Zifindal, Joel Goetz 2005 Zifindal,Robert Biale Vineyards Zifindale,Layer Cake Zifindale. Right now Taza Chocolate (Whole Foods, only make dar...

    Comment by 760568aliceoneal 760568 aliceoneal


  • If you love food & wine these Video reviews are refreshing and down to earth. Most recently Judit & Corina of Wine Dine TV just (August 29, 2011) released a video review of The Fanucchi Vineyards 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel They each rated it 4.8 out of 5. In this short clip they pop the cork, taste it, and describe & discuss the it & what it ...

    Comment by 46167Vine Master Fanucchi 46167 Vine Master Fanucchi


  • Gotta try SPEEDY CREEK from Knights Valley, Sonoma. Small lot estate winery right across from Peter Michael and mighty delicious (without the $$$)! Mountain fruit, rich berry taste and the perfect amount of spice. Great with food/bbq and equally good on it's own. A great social wine.

    Comment by 384270tutti vino 384270 tutti vino


  • I have been expirementinbg with various white zins and almaden is best bny taSTE TEST. hOWEVER THW LASAT TWO BOXES i OPENED HAD THE SIPGOT 0ON THE WRONMG SIDE4 OF THE BOX SO i HAD TO IOPEN THE BOX TAKE OPUT THE BAG AND REPOSITION IT SO i COULD USE THE SPOUT...tHE LATEST BOX WAS ENJOY BEFORE SEP 21, 2011 35510 16 18rl11

    Comment by 830087JBZCPINE 830087 JBZCPINE


  • that's some very good stuff.That is my best wine ever.I had some of that stuff right before my grandam ever past away.

    Comment by 494061drinkwine36 494061 drinkwine36


  • Zin lovers, gotta love the new generation of Zins coming out of Lodi...Check out Fields Family Wines www.fieldsfamilywines.com

    Comment by 222318lodiwino 222318 lodiwino


  • Rombauer Vineyards (Napa Valley, CA)....hands down the best and most flavorful Red Zinfandel you will ever try, I promise.

    Comment by 776777Rach1102 776777 Rach1102


  • I am looking for this 92 kunde 2007 reserve century.

    Comment by 774183lilil 774183 lilil


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