
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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Li Veli Orion Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Masseria Surani Heracles Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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La Fiera Primitivo Salento 2014Primitivo from Veneto, Italy
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Castello Monaci Piluna Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Chiaromonte Ele Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Botromagno Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Italy
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Leone de Castris Primitivo di Manduria Villa Santera 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Boeger Primitivo 2014Primitivo from El Dorado, Sierra Foothills, California
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Hendry Block 24 Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Cantele Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Italy
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Layer Cake Primitivo aka Zinfandel 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Andis Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Amador, Sierra Foothills, California
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Collier Falls Hillside Estate Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Jeff Runquist R Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Amador, Sierra Foothills, California
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Tormaresca Torcicoda Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Italy
- JS
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Pinnacoli Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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K Vintners CasaSmith Porcospino Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Feudi di Guagnano Salento Terramare Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Camas Cove Cellars Primitivo Pirate Red 2014Primitivo from Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Handley \Vittorio Vineyard Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Redwood Valley, Mendocino, California
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Cantine Due Palme Salento Don Cosimo Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Witch Creek Winery Heringer Vineyards Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Clarksburg, Yolo County, California
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Cantina Sampietrana Salento Tacco Barocco Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Rinforzo Salento Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy
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Pasqua Salento Lapaccio Primitivo 2014Primitivo from Puglia, Italy