3.9 | Regionally Important Variety - Zinfandel/Primitivo

Question 1

What are important regions for Zinfandel/Primitivo?

Answer 1

USA: California (rosé and red Zinfandels are produced here)

Italy: Puglia

Question 2

characteristics of Zinfandel? How do aromas/flavors change as grapes ripen?

Answer 2

black grape variety, typically single-varietal not blended.
warm climate
as it ripens: red fruits (strawberries, raspberries) develop into black fruits (plums, black cherries)
Raisining can occur in some grapes, leading to high sugar and dried fruit flavors.

Question 3

what are two types of wine that Zinfandel produces in California?

Answer 3

White Zinfandel (medium-sweet rosé with low acidity)
Red Zinfandel (high alc, full bodied dry red)

Question 4

How is White Zinfandel made as a sweet wine?

Answer 4

yeasts removed before fermentation complete. Resulting wine is medium sweet, with low alcohol (8-10%)

Question 5

White ZInfandel has simple, red-fruit aromas (strawberries, raspberries)? True/False

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Red ZInfandel is usually unoaked - true/false

Answer 6

False. Red Zinfandel is often matured in oak to soften high tannins and enhance complexity

Question 7

What are the primary and secondary aromas of Red Zinfandel from California?

Answer 7

primary: black fruit (blackberry, black plum)
dried fruit (raisin, prune)
oak (vanilla, coffee)

Question 8

what are the palate characteristics of red Zinfandel from CA?

Answer 8

dry
high alcohol
full body
medium to high acidity
medium to high tannin

Question 9

There are a number of old Zinfandel vines that produce low quantities of concentrated fruit, with tertiary flavors of earth and red meat. Where are they located?

Answer 9

California

Question 10

Rosé and Red Zinfandels both have low abv. True/False?

Answer 10

False. While Rosé Zinfandels have low abv around 8.5%, Red Zinfandels have high ABV ~15.5%

Question 11

Which region is known for producing soft, fruity dry red Zinfandel for high-volume brands?

Answer 11

Puglia in Southern Italy (it is known as Primitivo here). Puglia also produces very good/outstanding Zinfandel from controlled yields which is very good value