Zinfandel is a black grape variety that requires a lot of warmth to ripen. The grape variety has gained a lot of prominence in the past few decades, despite its controversial origin. While it is mostly known for producing red wines, in California, Zinfandel is also used to make a specific style of Rosé wine called White Zinfandel.
Characteristics
When Zinfandel ripens in very warm climates, its flavours change from red fruits such as strawberries and raspberries to black fruits like plums and black cherries. Zinfandel grapes ripen unevenly, due to which some grapes within the bunch start to raisin before the others have ripened and this results in high sugar levels and flavours of dried fruit such as prunes, figs and raisins. In cooler climates, where the grape struggles to ripen, it prominently develops herbaceous flavours.
Winemaking
While Zinfandel is largely cultivated in California, DNA research has confirmed that Zinfandel is identical to Italy’s Primitivo grape. However, the journey of the grape to the United States or how it got the name “Zinfandel” remains a subject of debate among many.
White Zinfandel, California
In California, Zinfandel is used to make a rosé wine or blush wine called White Zinfandel as well as red wines. White Zinfandel is a medium sweet rosé that is low on alcohol. It is typically made using a short maceration period on the grape skins. The fermentation of the wine is abruptly stopped and the grape skins are filtered out. Due to this, the wine has just eight to 10 percent alcohol with medium sweetness from all the unfermented sugar. A typical white zinfandel is pink in colour with simple aromas of red fruits strawberries and raspberries
Red wine, California
California’s red Zinfandel is rich, full-bodied and contains high levels of alcohol. These premium wines undergo oak maturation to soften the tannins and add flavour complexity. Typical red Zinfandel has pronounced ripe aromas of black fruits such as blackberry, black plum, dried fruits like raisin and prune and spices like cloves and cinnamon. It also has notes of vanilla and toast from oak ageing. It is dry with medium to high acidity and high alcohol and full body. Some of these wines are capable of long-term ageing, developing flavours of mocha and smoke.
One of the most renowned Zinfandel regions, Lodi is known to have some very old vines of the wine grape variety and it represents some of the most premium examples of red Zinfandel around the world. While the region has a Mediterranean climate, the breezes from San Francisco Bay have a moderating influence. The soil here in some places is so sandy that it can completely resist grape phylloxera. This is the reason why many old vines of the grape variety have managed to survive in this area.
Other important regions of California which produce delectable Zinfandel wines due to their warm climate are parts of Napa Valley, Sonoma and Mendocino close to the North Coast and the Sierra Foothills region which produces highly aromatic yet light-coloured wines. This particular region has a mix of sandy and clayey soil, and cooler nights due to its high altitude. As a result, the Zinfandel grapes retain their acidity along with a heady concoction of fruit-forward aromas like raspberry, cherry, blackberry and cranberry.
Puglia, Italy
Zinfandel goes by the name Primitivo in Italy. Here, it grows in Puglia, which is in the southern part of Italy. The warm climate of this region produces soft, juicy, fruit-tinted and dry red wine for high-volume brands. Top Puglia Primitivos can offer excellent value for money and have lovely red fruit flavours.
The Primitivo di Manduria DOC, located in the south of Puglia is known to produce rustic styles of Primitivo that have exceptionally high alcohol (more than 14 percent), thanks to the warm climate of the region. Winemakers here also produce a sweeter style of wine called Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Natural. The winemakers use late harvest grapes bunches with a considerably high number of raisined grapes that results in high sugar content.
Another appellation worth mentioning is the Gioia del Colle DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) which enjoys an extremely warm climate, despite being close to the Adriatic Sea on one side and the Gulf of Taranto on the other. Most vineyards here are located on hill slopes and this high altitude causes a diurnal temperature variation, thus preserving the acidity in the grapes. The wines produced here are relatively lighter in body and have lower levels of alcohol.
Service
Serving temperature – 15-18 degrees Celsius
Glass type – Typical red wine glass
Decanting – Zinfandel wine can be decanted for 30 minutes
Food Pairing
The hearty, bold flavours in Zinfandel make it a natural companion for the rich and flavourful world of barbecue. You can pair it with a variety of barbeque options like ribs, grilled chicken, roast lamb, pulled pork, pork chops, game meats and burgers.
For cheese pairing, think rich and bold, such as aged cheddar, smoked gouda and grilled halloumi.
For vegetarians, caramelised onion, fire-roasted red peppers or tomatoes, grilled eggplant, tandoori paneer tikkas or hearty baked beans are all great options.
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