
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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Turley Old Vines Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from California
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Turley Pesenti Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Central Coast, California
- WS
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Renwood Winery Grandpere Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Amador, Sierra Foothills, California
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Easton Shenandoah Valley Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Shenandoah Valley, Sierra Foothills, California
- WE
- CG
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Quivira Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
- W&S
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Haywood Los Chamizal Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
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Kenwood Sonoma Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
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Adobe Road Kemp Vineyard Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Amador, Sierra Foothills, California
- WS
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Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
- W&S
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DeLoach Russian River Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Turley Duarte Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from San Francisco Bay, Central Coast, California
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Turley Juvenile Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from California
- WS
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Turley Dusi Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Central Coast, California
- WS
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Valley of the Moon Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California
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LangeTwins Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from California
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D-Cubed Cellars Napa Valley Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Napa Valley, California
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Frog's Leap Zinfandel (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Zinfandel from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
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Frog's Leap Zinfandel (3 Liter Bottle) 2010Zinfandel from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
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Brazin Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from California
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Paul Dolan Vineyards Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from North Coast, California
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Primaterra Primitivo 2010Zinfandel from Italy
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Jason-Stephens Estate Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Santa Clara Valley, San Francisco Bay, Central Coast, California
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Williams Selyem Bacigalupi Vineyard Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
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Renwood Winery Premier Old Vine Zinfandel 2010Zinfandel from Sierra Foothills, California