3.7 Zinfandel/Primitivo

Question 1

What styles of Zinfandel are made in California?

Answer 1

White Zinfandel (rose’, off dry)
Red Zinfandel

Question 2

Does Zinfandel need a warm climate or cool climate to thrive?

Answer 2

Warm

Question 3

Describe the flavor profile of Zin.

Answer 3

As it ripens, flavors shift from red fruits (strawberries, raspberries) to black fruits (plums, blackberries, blueberries.

Sometimes a combination of fresh and dried (the grape ripens unevenly)

When very ripe, the grapes produce wines with high alcohol and dried fruit flavors

Question 4

How is white Zinfandel made?

Answer 4

Usually using short maceration of Zinfandel grapes (black grape).

Wines are usually low alcohol and medium sweet (8-10%)

Yeasts removed before fermentation finishes to keep it sweet

Question 5

Describe California red Zinfandel.

Answer 5

Commonly aged in oak (to soften tannins and add complexity)
Red and black fruit
Often dried fruit
Vanilla/coffee

M-H acid
M-H tannin
H alcohol
Full body

Question 6

Where is the home of Primitivo?

Answer 6

Puglia, Italy

Question 7

Why do some Zinfandels/Primitivos show flavors of dried fruit?

Answer 7

Because individual berries within a cluster can raisinate ( the grape ripe cluster ripens unevenly) and give prune-like flavors to the final wine.