The Zinfandel Grape: History, Flavor and Where It Grows
Zinfandel is the Croatian grape Tribidrag, also called Crljenak Kaštelanski in Croatia and Primitivo in Italy, as DNA analysis confirmed. In California it is the second most-planted red grape after Cabernet Sauvignon, and its wines are fruit-forward, with blueberry, raspberry and boysenberry flavors plus pepper, spice and a brambly character.
Those who know Zinfandel mainly for its semi-sweet blush version, White Zinfandel, may be surprised by its long, globe-trotting history. Here is the story, and what the wine tastes like. See more types of red wine.
At a glance
Origin: Croatia, where Tribidrag has existed since at least the 1400s.
Italy: called Primitivo in Puglia since at least the late 1700s.
U.S.: grown on Long Island by the 1820s; spelled Zinfandel from 1852.
California: over 50,000 acres, second only to Cabernet Sauvignon among reds.
Old vines are prized for concentrated wines.
1. From Croatia to Italy
The story begins in Croatia, where a grape called Tribidrag has existed since at least the 1400s. As grapes do when they travel, it acquired other names: in parts of Croatia it was called Crljenak Kaštelanski, still its primary name there. It made its way to Italy and found a happy home in the southern region of Puglia, where it has been grown since at least the late 1700s under the name Primitivo.
How it reached the U.S. is not exactly clear, but a Long Island grape grower was working with it by the 1820s, when it was called Zinfardel. The spelling Zinfandel first appeared in 1852 and became standard about a decade later. California, which has grown it since at least the 1850s, long adopted the grape as its own until DNA detective work revealed its origins.
3. Where Zinfandel Grows Today
Small amounts are grown in countries as different as Mexico, Israel, South Africa, Canada and Australia, and even Washington and Oregon make a little. In Croatia, production leapt once the link between Zinfandel and Primitivo became news in 2001: from an original discovery of 22 vines, there are now over 200,000. Puglia has about 10,000 acres. In California, Zinfandel is the second most-planted red grape after Cabernet Sauvignon, with over 50,000 acres.
4. What Zinfandel Tastes Like
Wherever it is made, Zinfandel makes an impact. The wines tend to be obviously fruit-forward, and California versions often show blueberry, raspberry, boysenberry and peach yogurt flavors, with pepper, spice and a brambly character. Unlike most varieties, old to very old Zinfandel vines are prized even though they produce less fruit, and wines from these gnarly old stumps are avidly sought after.
Italy ● Primitivo
Puglia, Italy ● Primitivo
