Zinfandel
/ZIN-fuhn-del/Zinfandel is America's heritage grape, genetically related to Croatia's Crljenak Kaštelanski and to Italy's Primitivo. It produces a remarkable range of styles — from light, early-picked blush wines (White Zinfandel) to the bold, jammy, high-alcohol reds of California's warm interior valleys. The finest Zinfandel comes from old-vine, coastal-influenced sites like Dry Creek Valley and the ridges of Napa, where it produces wines of extraordinary concentration and complexity.
🍇 Red grapemedium bodydry
Grape profile
Character & style
| Trait | Character |
|---|---|
| Body | medium |
| Acidity | medium |
| Tannins | medium |
| Sweetness | dry |
| Alcohol tendency | high |
| Origin | Croatia (ancestor: Crljenak Kaštelanski) |
| Common flavours | jammy berry, black pepper, clove, baking spice, plum, bramble |
| Aromas | blackberry, raspberry, black cherry, black pepper, clove, jammy fruit |
Pairing
Best food pairings
- Barbecue
- ribs
- pizza
- spicy food
- game
- rich tomato dishes
Where it thrives
Key regions for Zinfandel
United States