Zinfandel
Blackberry jam, cinnamon, pepper.
Big, ripe and jammy, with a sweet spice that stands up to barbecue sauce.
What Zinfandel tastes like
Blackberry jam, cinnamon, pepper. Body: full. Tannin: medium. Acidity: medium.
Where Zinfandel comes from
Zinfandel is California’s signature grape. DNA testing showed it is the same grape as primitivo from Puglia in southern Italy, and both trace back to an old Croatian variety.
Styles to look for
Big, ripe and jammy, often high in alcohol. Primitivo from Italy is the same grape in a slightly more savoury style.
Food it suits
Barbecue, pulled pork, burgers, pizza and spicy sausages.
How to serve it
Serve slightly below room temperature, around 14 to 18°C. Lighter reds sit at the cooler end, fuller reds at the warmer end.
Worth knowing
Zinfandel and primitivo are genetically identical, and the original grape is Croatian, known there as crljenak kaštelanski.
Check the menu at your venue
Wine lists change with the season and the supplier, and each venue pours its own. Check the menu before you go, or ask your waiter what is open by the glass.
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Frequently asked
What does Zinfandel taste like?
Blackberry jam, cinnamon, pepper. Body: full. Tannin: medium. Acidity: medium.
Where does Zinfandel come from?
Zinfandel is California’s signature grape. DNA testing showed it is the same grape as primitivo from Puglia in southern Italy, and both trace back to an old Croatian variety.
What food goes with
Barbecue, pulled pork, burgers, pizza and spicy sausages.
How should Zinfandel be served?
Serve slightly below room temperature, around 14 to 18°C. Lighter reds sit at the cooler end, fuller reds at the warmer end.
