is zinfandel a dry wine

Full Answer

What is Zinfandel tastes like?

Zinfandel is a spicy, peppery wine, with a hint of fruity flavor - berries or dark cherries are often the taste range. Zinfandel goes well with "typical American" food - pizza, burgers, and steaks. It's hearty enough to match up with thick red sauces.

Is zinfindale wine served cold?

The sweetness of white zinfandel never gets cloying, so it should be served colder than most white wines. If you wish to serve white zinfandel, refrigerate it at room temperature for at least 60 to 90 minutes. Pour a small amount of wine into the glass. If you don’t like the sweetness, taste it to make sure it’s cold enough to be refreshing.

What brand of White Zinfandel is best?

What brand of white Zinfandel is best?

• Sutter Home Fre White Zinfandel. (4)
• Franzia White Zinfandel. (4)
• Arbor Mist Strawberry White Zinfandel. (3)
• Arbor Mist Exotic Fruits White Zinfandel. (3)
• Gallo Family Vineyards White Zinfandel. (3)
• Beringer Sparkling White Zinfandel. (3)
• Carlo Rossi White Zinfandel. (2)
• Woodbridge Mondavi White Zinfandel. (2)

Do you chill red Zinfandel?

This is the type of Zinfandel you want to chill slightly prior to drinking, as a drop in temperature will bring out the Zin’s fruit-forward characteristics. 8. Grenache Grenache is similar to Zinfandel in that significant variation can be expected from one producer to another.

Is Zinfandel considered a dry wine?

Cabernet and Merlot are the most popular and well-known produced red wine varieties. Dry red wines that are produced in America include cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir and zinfandel.

Is red Zinfandel dry or sweet?

Zinfandel is another sweet red wine option. This fruity, Croatian grape produces wines with fruit-forward qualities — think tinned peaches, strawberry, and sweet tobacco. Though not considered a sweet wine by any stretch of the imagination, Malbec is high on the red wine sweetness chart.

Is White Zinfandel dry or sweet?

White Zinfandel is a light-bodied wine that is low in acidity and tannins and is typically dry to moderately sweet with low alcohol by volume. It has a pinkish hue making it more of a blush or Rosé wine rather than a white wine.

What type of wine is Zinfandel?

red wine grapeZinfandel is a red wine grape variety that is the second most planted red grape in California. The grape makes robust, aromatic, juicy wines that are high in alcohol.

Which is drier cabernet or Zinfandel?

Today, Zinfandel is primarily grown in California, and Cabernet Sauvignon is grown all over the world. Cabernet Sauvignon is nearly always a very dry wine, but Zinfandel ranges from semi-sweet to dry. Both wines are very high in alcohol without going into fortified wines, sometimes reaching up to 17% ABV.

How would you describe red Zinfandel?

Every Red Zinfandel, no matter how “jammy,” has a sweet fruity quality with a finish of spice and tobacco. The wine is also light in color, lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Since the Red Zinfandel has a very high alcohol content, its texture is oily, and has a very bold body.

Why is Zinfandel so cheap?

Zinfandel has two key features that make it economical to grow and therefore affordable to drink: high productivity and exceptional heat tolerance.

Which wine is good for the heart?

Red wineRed wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks.

What is the difference between White Zinfandel and Zinfandel?

First things first: white Zinfandel is not a different grape than red Zinfandel. It is the same grape that's used in red Zinfandel, but made in a semi sweet rosé style. This means the juice is only allowed to sit on the on the skins for a small amount of time, which gives it that “pink” color.

Should Zinfandel wine be refrigerated?

Reds that are lighter in alcohol and tannin will benefit most from these cooler temperatures. Gamay, cabernet franc, grolleau, zinfandel, grenache and frappato are all high on my list of reds to chill for a backyard cookout during the hot summer months.

Is Zinfandel a good wine?

Final Verdict. Most zinfandel-based wines are full-bodied, juicy, and high in alcohol, and lovers of flavor-packed reds will likely enjoy them, especially those made from well-reputed producers.

What is Zinfandel similar to?

Grenache is a widely planted grape that is overshadowed by its more popular neighbors, Tempranillo and Syrah, but it is a deliciously intense alternative to big, bold Zinfandels. Grenache is originally from Spain, where it is known as Garnacha, but it is also widely planted in southern France.

What does a red Zinfandel taste like?

The late-ripening red Zinfandel wine produces a jammy flavor bursting with fruity aromas of blackberry, cherry, plums, black pepper, and cinnamon with varying levels of oak. A fuller bodied wine that is high in alcohol content, Zinfandel is known for its fruity meets spicy kick with a smoky body.

Is Zinfandel a dessert wine?

There are many red dessert wines in the US made with grapes such as Zinfandel, Mourvedre, Malbec and Petite Sirah. These wines explode with sweetness and heightened alcohol content.

How do you serve red Zinfandel?

For red Zinfandel, serve it like you would other red wines — a bit cooler than room temperature, from 60-65 degrees. While you might have thought room temp is the way to go, that's too warm and could render the wine flabby and bitter.

Is Zinfandel a cheap wine?

Is Zinfandel a Cheap Wine? Like most wines, you can get cheaper and more expensive options, although because red Zinfandel is rare, it's more likely to be on the pricier side.

What is White Zinfandel?

As we mentioned, White Zinfandel is a fairly misunderstood wine born from a mistake-gone-right by winemakers in the 70s. Unfortunately, due in no small part to some terrible marketing in the 80s, it’s reputation was tarnished as a cheap, cloyingly sweet, box wine. And, though it was not all box wine, it certainly was cheap and sweet.

White Zinfandel wine: a brief history

White Zinfandel is just about the happiest accident we know of. That’s right – just like blue cheese and potato chips, this delicious wine was a result of some bad luck. Well, good luck, really.

A rise to fame and a fall from grace

One day in 1975, when Sutter Home was making a batch of White Zinfandel, the batch experienced Stuck Fermentation. Stuck Fermentation is when the yeast in the liquid completely dies off before it has a chance to convert all the fruit sugars into alcohol.

White Zinfandel tasting notes

You’ll find White Zinfandel wines at each stage of the sweet to dry wine chart, but they generally taste of red fruit flavors and light citrus. Remember, that the specific notes in each glass will vary based on the terroir, vintage, winemaker, and even the time of day (seriously!).

How to perfectly pair your White Zinfandel wine

To know how to pair your wine, you first need to answer this question: Is your White Zinfandel dry or sweet?

How to really enjoy your White Zin

Just like terroir impacts the wine grapes, a wine glass can make all the difference in the final flavor and your drinking experience as a whole.

What is the flavor of Zinfandel?

While the red wine tends to be medium-bodied and medium dry, it is bursting with flavors and aromas of jam, raspberry, blackberry, cherry, plums, cinnamon, black pepper, ...

What is a good wine to drink with Zinfandel?

Easy-to-drink, sweet white zinfandel pairs well with a variety of savory foods. Serve it as a counterpoint to spiced Cajun to Asian cuisines, barbecue chicken, or spicy seafood . While zinfandel isn't well-known as an aging wine, good bottles of red are candidates for cellaring.

What is the difference between red and white Zinfandel?

While made from the same grapes, the two wines are distinctively different in flavor, body, sweetness, alcohol content, and price. Red zin has lots of jammy, fruity flavor and is high in alcohol while white zin has a light, sweet flavor and low alcohol. The grape is also known as Crljenak Kastelanski in its native Croatia and as primitivo in southern Italy.

How long to decant Zinfandel?

Serve zinfandel in a red wine glass at cellar temperature (60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit). Decant red zin for an hour for the most balanced flavor. White zin can be chilled if desired and can be served right away.

How to taste wine?

Follow these simple steps when tasting wine to ensure you have the best experience: 1 Look: Examine the wine through the glass, noticing the color and opacity. 2 Smell: Swirl your glass for about 10 seconds and take a whiff. Then stick your nose into the wine glass for a deep inhale, getting your first impressions of the wine. 3 Taste: Take a little sip and let it roll around your mouth. Note the sugar, tannins acidity, and alcohol content when first tasting, then move on to specific tasting notes (spice, fruit, wood) and finally the finish.

How much does a pink zinfandel wine cost?

White zinfandel was pioneered by Sutter Homes, and a number of other low-cost brands make their own version. The pink wine goes for about $5 to $10 a bottle.

How much does white Zins cost?

Plus, it's often sold for less than $10 a bottle.

Who made the first wine from Zinfandel?

Joseph W. Osborne may have made the first wine from Zinfandel in California. He planted Zinfandel from Macondray at his Oak Knoll vineyard just north of Napa, and his wine was much praised in 1857. Planting of Zinfandel boomed soon after, and by the end of the 19th century it was the most widespread variety in California.

Why is Zinfandel so popular?

Zinfandel vines are quite vigorous and grow best in climates that are warm but not too hot, because grapes may shrivel in hot weather. Zinfandel's thin-skinned grapes grow in large, tight bunches that are sometimes prone to bunch rot. The fruit ripen fairly early and produce juice with high sugar content. If weather conditions permit, the grapes may be late-harvested to make dessert wine. Zinfandel is often praised for its ability to reflect both its terroir and its winemaker's style and skill.

What is Primitivo wine?

For the town in the United States, see Zinfandel, California. Zinfandel (also known as Primitivo) is a variety of black-skinned wine grape. The variety is grown in over 10 percent of California vineyards.

What is the wine called that is made from grapes?

The grapes typically produce a robust red wine, although in the United States a semi-sweet rosé (blush-style) wine called White Zinfandel has six times the sales of the red wine. The grape's high sugar content can be fermented into levels of alcohol exceeding 15 percent.

How many acres of Zinfandel are there in Santa Clara Valley?

Although the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA in Santa Clara Valley produces Zinfandel from just 9 acres (3.6 ha), the Zinfandel from that region is known for its complexity and depth.

Where is Zinfandel grape grown?

Zinfandel (also known as Primitivo) is a variety of black-skinned wine grape. The variety is grown in over 10 percent of California vineyards. DNA analysis has revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grapes Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag, as well as to the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in Apulia ...

Where did Primitivo grapes come from?

The first documented use of the term Primitivo appears in Italian governmental publications of the 1870s. The name derives from the terms primativus or primaticcio, which refer to the grape's tendency to ripen earlier than other varieties. This name's appearance, 40 years after the first documented use of the term Zinfandel, was previously thought to suggest that Primitivo was introduced to Italy from across the Atlantic; however, this hypothesis has become unlikely since the discovery of the vine's Croatian origin.

How sweet is wine?

By the way, the average wine drinker can’t detect sweetness levels below 1.5%. Shocking right? That said, trained tasters can guesstimate sweetness within about 0.2% – this is totally learnable!

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How much sweetness does wine have?

Wine sweetness ranges from virtually nothing to upwards of 70% sweetness (like a rare bottle of Spanish PX! ). Since wine ranges in sweetness, you have to do some research to figure out the actual residual sugar in a specific bottle. You can use wine tech sheets to find the exact number. (So useful!)

Is there residual sugar in wine?

Wine geeks call these left-over sugars “residual sugar.”. There are some poor quality wines made with added sugar (called chaptalization ), but this is generally frowned upon. In truth, we are not particularly adept at sensing sweetness. For example, bitterness, or tannins in wine, reduces the perception of sugar.

Is Riesling sweet or dry?

Any wine – be it Riesling or Cabernet – can be either dry or sweet. Let’s explore popular wines listed from dry to sweet.

What is a zinfandel wine?

Zinfandel (Primitivo) Zinfandel wine is a bold, fruit forward red that’s loved for its jammy fruit and smoky, exotic spice notes. It’s also made into a sweet rosé called White Zinfandel.

What is the alcohol content of Zinfandel?

On the palate, expect a full bodied, lush and mouth-filling wine, usually with elevated alcohol (14%+ ABV). On high quality Zinfandel, expect tannins to be high. (Remember styles vary by producer!)

What are the flavors of Zinfandel?

Typically, on the nose you’ll find juicy red berry flavors such as strawberry or raspberry in wines from cooler areas. For wines made in warmer climates, flavors turn to deeper black fruits.

What spices go well with Zinfandel?

Zinfandel pairs well with Moroccan and Turkish spices that embellish the wine’s cinnamon-spice subtleties. Or, try this Puglian classic, Pizza Rustica – a wafer-thin calzone stuffed with roasted onions, tomatoes, anchovies, and olives.

What is Primitivo wine?

A true sweet wine designation for Primitivo. These are produced in a late-harvest style, where grapes are allowed to raisinate to increase sugar content. An epic resource for food and wine pairing; made for Zin lovers, by Zin lovers. Love for White Zinfandel, straight from Lodi.

Where does Zinfandel grape come from?

Zinfandel has been touted as “America’s grape,” but it actually hails from Croatia and was likely brought to the USA in the early 1800’s. The Italian name for the grape, Primitivo, comes from the Latin word “primativus” and the old Italian word “primaticcio,” both mean “early ripener” or “first to ripen.”.

Which grapes are grown in California?

Others: Australia, Chile, Canada, South Africa. Zinfandel (aka Primitivo) is the fourth most planted wine grape in California (after Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir). It performs well in warm, sunny regions and is very sensitive to terroir (because of its thin skins).

Where to find Zinfandels?

Look for Zinfandels from high elevation areas (such as Howell Mountain or El Dorado County). High elevation Zinfandels tend to have more savory intensity and richness.

What does red zinfandel taste like?

How Red Zinfandel Tastes. The primary flavors of Zinfandel are jam, blueberry, black pepper, cherry, plum, boysenberry, cranberry, and licorice. When you taste Zinfandel it often explodes with candied fruitiness followed by spice and often a tobacco-like smoky finish.

What vegetables are good for Zinfandel?

Use highly flavored vegetables to bring out the fruitiness in Zinfandel such as roasted tomato, red peppers, carmelized onion, roasted squash, apricot, peach, cranberry, spiced apple, and beets.

What is the first wine you try?

White Zinfandel is often the very first wine someone tries. Today, close to 85% of the total Zinfandel production is White Zin! As much as wine snobs bash it, White Zinfandel offers everything a beginner might want:

How many calories are in a 6 oz bottle of Zinfandel?

low calories – 125 calories per 6 oz. serving. pleasing sweet taste. At $5 a bottle White Zinfandels taste fine, but most lack the complexity to be compared to the red version of the same grape. Red Zinfandel wine can offer serious presence and sophistication.

What meats can you use Zinfandel with?

Try pairing with lighter meats including Quail, Turkey, Pork, Bacon, Ham and Veal. Zinfandel works well with Barbecue red me ats and lamb.

What is the only grape in the world with a festival dedicated to it?

Did you know? Zinfandel is the only grape in the world with a festival dedicated to it? Find out more about the ZAP Zinfandel Festival

What is white Zinfandel?

White zinfandel is a blush wine produced from the zinfandel variety. The wine is often produced using the saignée (bleeding) method of producing rosé, meaning that the wine is a byproduct of red zinfandel wine. During the red wine’s vinification process, some of the wine is removed and bottled on its own, meaning that it sees less maceration time and has a pink hue. However, white zinfandel is often chemically altered and has tons of sugar added to it, hence its negative perception amongst wine consumers and industry alike.

Where is zinfandel from?

Although best known for their rich and ripe cabernet sauvignon-based wines, when produced at the right hands, zinfandel from Napa should not be overlooked. These wines offer just as much flavor-packed drinkability as their cabernet counterparts, though generally at a fraction of the price. Grgich Hills Zinfandel is produced from organically farmed fruit in the heart of Calistoga. Here, vines benefit from optimal sunlight and are rooted into gravelly loam soils.

What is the ABV of Stoumen wine?

Expect flavors of blackberry, baking spice, white peach skin, and orange rind. Stoumen’s wine clocks in at a modest 12.5% ABV and boasts just 26 total milligrams of sulfur. Pair with BBQ favorites, curries, or a slew of Mediterranean-inspired mezze.

How long is Zinfandel aged?

Their 100% zinfandel ferments with native yeasts and is aged for 18 months in neutral French oak. Flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, sweet clove, and a touch of citrus jump from the wine’s concentrated, full-bodied core. Pair with a variety of foods, including burgers, roast lamb, and all things barbecue.

Where does Turley's Zinfandel come from?

Turley’s Old Vine Zinfandel is a true expression of the diversity of California zinfandel. Fruit for this wine comes from vines aged from 41 to 129 years old, hailing from vineyard sites across Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lodi, Amador, Contra Costa, and Paso Robles counties. The wine was first produced in the year of 2000 and pays homage to Larry Turley’s love for “restoration, rejuvenation, and resuscitation” (Turley worked for two decades as an emergency room physician). His soft spot for lower-yielding, less vigorous vines, coupled with vineyard manager Tegan Passalacqua’s passion for organic farming led the two to create this delicious, jaw-dropping wine. Note: The term “splurge” is relative here—at a modest $39.99, this wine still goes for a fraction of the cost that a pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon from vines of this age in California would cost.

Who makes Mother Clone Zinfandel?

Pedroncelli 'Mother Clone' Zinfandel is produced at the hands of John Pedroncelli Jr , whose father and uncle founded the winery back in 1927 (during the heart of Prohibition!) By the time Prohibition ended, Pedroncelli was just one of four operating wineries in the Dry Creek Valley. 90 years later, the family is still kicking. Mother Clone Zinfandel is their answer to juicy, concentrated-yet-restrained red wine. Expect flavors of dark berries, black pepper, and a touch of smoky oak. Smooth tannins and energetic acid lead to a lingering, palate-coating finish.

Where does Fred Cline grow his wine?

Fred Cline inherited his passion for farming from his grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi, on their Oakley-based farm. At the time, this area was home to many immigrants who farmed some of the oldest original vines in California. Over the past few decades, Fred has restored his head-pruned vines in Oakley back to dry farming, allowing their roots to grow deeply into the area's sandy soils. This delicious wine comes from some of the family’s oldest (100+ year old) vines. Fruit ferments in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks and aged for 12 months in American oak prior to bottling. Expect flavors of strawberry jam, cinnamon, vanilla, and light toast.

When is wine considered dry?

But when the fermentation is completed, and all sugar converts into alcohol content during fermentation, the wines are considered dry.

What is Shiraz wine?

Called Shiraz in Australia – a versatile red wine variety that’s known for its light and fruity flavors or dense spiciness, depending on where the grapes are from. It’s dark, flavor-packed, and filled with antioxidants.

What grapes are used in Bordeaux wine?

It’s a Bordeaux-style dry red wine often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. If you like red ones, it’s most likely that you’ve tried a Cab before. It’s easily one of the most well-known red wine varietals out there – every major wine-producing region or country grows this grape variety. It also has some of the highest tannins of any wine, bold and perfect to pair with red meats and any hearty dish.

What is the most unfairly overlooked red wine?

If you love the flavors of cherry with a little spice, you’re going to enjoy this red wine. It’s the Pinot Noir of the South – one of the most unfairly overlooked red wines.

What happens when wine ferments?

It all comes down to the wine’s fermentation process: the yeast consumes the grape’s sugar content, converting it into alcohol.

Where is Montepulciano grape grown?

2 nd most planted grape in Italy, grown around Tuscan hilltops. Go for a wine tour around the east and central Italy for the best Montepulciano wines, particularly in the eastern Abruzzo, Molise, and Marche regions. It’s got the taste of a rustic wine, dramatically influenced by how the wine is aged.

Where is Gamay wine from?

Gamay – food-friendly, an easy-drinking French wine commonly found in the Beaujolais region of France – best to drink when young.

Overview

History

Archaeological evidence indicates that domestication of Vitis vinifera occurred in the Caucasus region around 6000 BCE, and winemaking was discovered shortly after that. Cultivation of the vine subsequently spread to the Mediterranean and surrounding regions. Croatia once had several indigenous varieties related to Zinfandel, which formed the basis of its wine industry in the 19th century. This diversity suggests that the grapes have been grown in Croatia longer than anywher…

Relationship to Primitivo, Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag

Distribution and wines

Viticulture and winemaking

Synonyms

See also

Further reading