Zinfandel
January, 2018 Filed in: Wine varieties
Zinfandel is often considered California’s red-wine grape, because it is not widely grown in other parts of the world. Only Cabernet Sauvignon is grown more in California, to show how much Zinfandel is grown in California. A lot of mystery has surrounded the origins of Zinfandel. Folklore told us that Italian immigrants to California introduced a grape variety called Primitivo. However modern DNA testing has traced the parentage of Zinfandel to a little known and grown variety from Croatia, Crljenak Kastelanski. Wow, are we glad it was re-named Zinfandel, as the Croatian name is a mouthful.
Many people associate Zinfandel with the blush wine White Zinfandel. This blush wine is produced be removing the wine skins from the juice shortly after fermentation begins, leaving the wine with a pink colour. Of course it is back sweetened to produce an off dry wineperfect for warm summer days.
Of course part of the attraction of White Zinfandel is it’s fruitiness which also finds its way into red Zinfandel wine. These Zinfandel wines are very robust and heavy, with strong berry-like flavours almost spicy. A similar comparison can be made to the wine grape Shiraz. Zinfandel wines are known for having lots of tannins and alcohol.
You can find Zinfandel kits in our top of the line Eclipse Series as well as our World Vineyard product line. You will also find Zinfandel in our March Passport Series Two Roads Red which is a blend.
Many people associate Zinfandel with the blush wine White Zinfandel. This blush wine is produced be removing the wine skins from the juice shortly after fermentation begins, leaving the wine with a pink colour. Of course it is back sweetened to produce an off dry wineperfect for warm summer days.
Of course part of the attraction of White Zinfandel is it’s fruitiness which also finds its way into red Zinfandel wine. These Zinfandel wines are very robust and heavy, with strong berry-like flavours almost spicy. A similar comparison can be made to the wine grape Shiraz. Zinfandel wines are known for having lots of tannins and alcohol.
You can find Zinfandel kits in our top of the line Eclipse Series as well as our World Vineyard product line. You will also find Zinfandel in our March Passport Series Two Roads Red which is a blend.