
Primitivo
Learn about Primitivo — taste profile, popular regions and more …
Responsible for inky, brambly, and ripe fruit driven red wines, Primitivo bears more than a passing resemblance to Zinfandel—and there’s a very good reason for this. The two varieties are actually one and the same and have a Croatian origin. Primitivo was brought to Italy from Croatia in the late 1800s and became an important variety in the hot, dry, southern region of Puglia. Here it was named from the Latin word, primativus, meaning "first to ripen."
Tasting Notes for Primitivo
Primitivo is a dry, red wine. The flavors of Primitivo are, naturally, very similar to those of Zinfandel, but often it is somewhat leaner, and more structured and earthy. Typical characteristics include ripe berry fruit, plum, black pepper, fresh earth and sweet baking spice.
Perfect Food Pairings for Primitivo
Primitivo pairs best with full-flavored, hearty meat dishes like roasted lamb, beef brisket, hamburgers, meatballs with Moroccan seasonings, beef fajitas or anything barbecued.
Sommelier Secrets for Primitivo
The link between Primitivo and Zinfandel is quite a recent discovery. While there was some speculation that they were related, it wasn't until 1994 when grape geneticists at UC Davis identified them as identical. The grape goes by the name of Tribidrag in Croatia and is a parent of the modern Croatian variety, Plavac Mali.
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Ognissole Primitivo di Manduria 2005Primitivo from Italy
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Cantele Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Italy
- RP
- W&S
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Botromagno Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Italy
- RP
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Feudo Monaci Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Italy
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A. Mano Puglia Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Italy
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Jacuzzi Primitivo 2005Primitivo from North Coast, California
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I Pastini Tarantino Arpago Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Cantine Due Palme Salento Rocca Normanna Le Sciare Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Tenute Al Bano Carrisi Salento Taras Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Fatalone Gioia del Colle Riserva Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Az. Ag. Morella Old Vines Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Az. Ag. Morella La Signora Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Racemi Primitivo di Manduria Masseria Pepe 2005Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Cantine Rosa del Golfo Salento Salento Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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D-Cubed Cellars Primitivo 2005Primitivo from Napa Valley, California