
Zinfandel
Learn about Zinfandel — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel is often thought of as California’s flagship grape. In fact it owns this title by having the ability to adapt to the states’ many microclimates and landscapes, producing unique expressions of the grape throughout. Zinfandel thrives in California’s Central Coast, as well throughout Sonoma County, parts of Napa Valley, the Sierra Foothills, Lodi and Paso Robles.
Zinfandel's story begins in Croatia in the 1400s when it went by the names, Tribidrag or Crljenak Kaštelanski. In the 1700s, it made its way to southern Italy where it became known as Primitivo. The astute imperial nursery of Vienna collected specimens of the vine and acted as the source of its journey to New England, carried by George Gibbs circa 1829. Eventually, making its way to California around the Gold Rush of 1849, Zinfandel found its new home, parading the true American spirit. The modern spelling of Zinfandel first appeared in 1852 and became standard about a decade later.
Tasting Notes for Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a dry red wine, though typically forward in fruit. Notes of dark plum, blackberry, sweet spice, dark chocolate and licorice are common. Very ripe examples may express a dried fruit quakity like fig or prune. But Zinfandel grown in cooler, coastal zones often shows red fruit, black pepper and fresh herbal characteristics like juniper and menthol.
Perfect Food Pairings for Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a powerfully flavored wine, mingling happily with bold food like brisket, lamb shanks, pork ribs or anything barbecued. More delicate Zins work with pork, lamb curry and even Ceasar Salad or Salad Nicoise.
Sommelier Secrets for Zinfandel
Thanks to its popularity both for home winemaking and as communion wine, many Zinfandel vines were able to survive prohibition, leading to the abundance of "old vine" Zinfandels. These low-yielding, ancient vines tend to produce wine that is deeply concentrated, delicately perfumed and decidedly complex.
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Shannon Ridge High Elevation Zinfandel 2019Zinfandel from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Paul Dolan Vineyards Organically Grown Zinfandel 2019Zinfandel from Mendocino, California
- WW
- WE
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Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from San Francisco Bay, Central Coast, California
- TP
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Amapola Creek Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel 2016Zinfandel from Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- JD
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Zinfandelic Lodi Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from Lodi, California
- WE
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Zinfandelic Sierra Foothills Old Vine Zinfandel 2017Zinfandel from Sierra Foothills, California
- TP
- WE
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Seghesio Home Ranch Zinfandel 2017Zinfandel from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Mauritson Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
- WE
- WW
- RP
- JD
- CG
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Amapola Creek Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel 2014Zinfandel from Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Alexander Valley Vineyards Redemption Zin 2015Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Three Wine Company Old Vines Zinfandel 2016Zinfandel from San Francisco Bay, Central Coast, California
- WE
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Titus Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from California
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Martinelli Vigneto di Evo Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
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Frei Brothers Reserve Dry Creek Zinfandel 2016Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WE
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Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from Mendocino, California
- WE
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Bedrock Wine Company California Old Vine Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from California
- V
- WS
- WE
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Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel 2017Zinfandel from Lodi, California
- WW
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The Federalist Lodi Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from Lodi, California
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Edmeades Mendocino Zinfandel 2017Zinfandel from Mendocino, California
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Alexander Valley Vineyards Temptation Zinfandel 2016Zinfandel from California
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Murphy-Goode Liar's Dice Zinfandel 2015Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
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OZV Old Vine Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from Lodi, California
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Novy Russian River Zinfandel 2016Zinfandel from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WS
- RP
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Acre Zinfandel 2017Zinfandel from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Hullabaloo Zinfandel 2018Zinfandel from Lodi, California