
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.
- Pinot Noir1776
- Cabernet Sauvignon1583
- Other Red Blends1220
- Syrah/Shiraz1144
- Bordeaux Red Blends1013
- Merlot553
- Sangiovese535
- Rhône Blends514
- Zinfandel476
- Nebbiolo430
- Tempranillo419
- Other Red Wine220
- Malbec159
- Petite Sirah129
- Cabernet Franc120
- Barbera117
- Grenache115
- Tuscan Blends64
- Mourvedre48
- Gamay37
- Carmenere35
- Pinotage32
- Dolcetto31
- Montepulciano31
- Aglianico30
- Nero d'Avola27
- Sagrantino19
- Primitivo15
- Petit Verdot13
- Negroamaro12
- Carignan9
- Mencia8
- Bonarda6
- Lagrein6
- Blaufrankisch6
- Refosco6
- St. Laurent5
- Teroldego3
- Pinot Meunier2
- Tannat2
- Agiorgitiko2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Corvina1
- Lambrusco1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Valdiguie1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Bobal1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
-
Castello Monaci Piluna Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Italy
- RP
-
Cantele Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Italy
- W&S
-
A. Mano Puglia Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Italy
- RP
-
Ognissole Primitivo di Manduria 2006Primitivo from Italy
- WE
-
Jacuzzi Primitivo 2006Primitivo from North Coast, California
-
A. Mano Puglia Prima Mano Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
-
Schola Sarmenti Salento Cubardi Primitivo Rosso 2006Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
-
Produttori Vini Manduria Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale Madrigale 2006Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
-
D-Cubed Cellars Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Napa Valley, California
-
Tenute Rubino Salento Visellio Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
-
Conti Zecca Salento Donna Marzia Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
-
Domenico Wines Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Amador, Sierra Foothills, California
-
Fatalone Gioia del Colle Riserva Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
-
Hendry Block 24 Primitivo 2006Primitivo from Napa Valley, California
-
Villa Matilde Cecubo 2006Primitivo from Campania, Italy