
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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A. Mano Puglia Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Italy
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Cantele Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Italy
- RP
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Mille Una Majara Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Italy
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Soleto Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Italy
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Layer Cake Primitivo aka Zinfandel 2008Primitivo from Italy
- RP
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Castello Monaci Piluna Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Italy
- RP
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Tormaresca Torcicoda Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Italy
- WS
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Angel Vine Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Vigneti Reale Salento Rudiae Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Cantine Paolo Leo Fiore di Vigna Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Vinosia Salento Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Azienda Agricola Attanasio Primitivo di Manduria 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Azienda Agricola Tenuta Viglione di Zullo Giovanni Puglia Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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A. Mano Puglia Prima Mano Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Hendry Block 24 Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Napa Valley, California
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Pilot Peak Winery Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Sierra Foothills, California
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Cantina Sampietrana Salento Tacco Barocco Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Sobon Estate Rezerve Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Amador, Sierra Foothills, California
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Az. Ag. Morella Old Vines Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Castel di Salve Salento Cento su Cento Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Oso Libre Nativo Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Ogio Wines Puglia Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Cantine Cristiano Guttarolo Gioia del Colle Antello delle Murge Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Poderi Anglelini Primitivo di Manduria 2008Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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D-Cubed Cellars Primitivo 2008Primitivo from Napa Valley, California