
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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Ravenswood Barricia Vineyard Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
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Turley Cedarman Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Turley Grist Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Williams Selyem Feeney Vineyard Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Kenwood Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
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Joel Gott Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from California
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Rancho Zabaco Heritage Vines Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
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Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Zinfandelic Amador County Old Vine Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from California
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Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
- WS
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Cline Sonoma Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
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Ravenswood Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
- CG
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Woodenhead Braccialini Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
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Ravenswood Napa Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Napa Valley, California
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Murphy-Goode Liar's Dice Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
- CG
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Ridge York Creek Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
- CG
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Rosenblum Cellars Snows Lake Vineyard Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sierra Foothills, California
- RP
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Edmeades Mendocino Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from North Coast, California
- WS
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Dashe Dry Creek Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
- CG
- RP
- W&S
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Girard Old Vine Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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Bogle Old Vines Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sierra Foothills, California
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Turley Rattlesnake Ridge Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Cline Live Oak Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from California
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Alexander Valley Vineyards Sin Zin Zinfandel 2005Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California