Zinfandel is the first grape that comes to mind when you think of American wines. This is because of the diverse range of wines that America produces from one grape variety. You can choose to buy Zinfandel wines online, such as Ports, robust reds through to delicate off dry-sweet blush/white wines. Although we hear of it as “Americas Grape” in the 1970’s Zinfandel was declared to be the Italian vine Primitivo since then DNA testing has proven that both vines are in fact descended from the Croation vine Crljenak Kaštelanski. It is thought that the vine was first introduced to America in the 1830’s.
Popular red Zinfandel Wine Club choices include:
- Dashe Zinfandel
- Chase Family Zinfandel
- Hendry Zinfandel
- Neyers Vineyard Zinfandel’
- Ridge Zinfandel
- Rombauer Zinfandel
- Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel
Zinfandel wine gains its flavor from the climate conditions under which it was grown. The ripeness of the fruit has a major determining factor in the flavor. In cooler climates the wine produced has the predominantly red berry flavor of raspberries in contrast to this wines produced in hotter climates tend to taste of blackberry, anise and pepper. Red Zinfandel wines can be paired with a large range of dishes from grilled/roasted/barbecued beef, lamb, pork through to cheeses, tomatoes, mushrooms and eggplants.
White Zinfandel is not a grape variety but a blush wine produced from Zinfandel grapes. The grapes have their skins removed from them early on in the fermentation process this produces a much lighter wine with less tannin and a more delicate flavor.
Red Zinfandel and White Zinfandel are both produced using the same grape. White Zinfandel is a very popular easy to drink delicate off-dry or sweet wine and is often an entry level wine that may lead to a consumer becoming interested in other varieties. Red Zinfandel is a much more robust, rich wine strongly flavored with tones of blackberry, anise, plum and pepper.
California’s Central Valley produces most of the grapes for White Zinfandel production. The climate and method of production produces a much sweeter wine than the traditional European Rosé. The White Zinfandel is a high production wine for immediate consumption.
Of the 100 varieties of grapes grown in California, Zinfandel is one of the top seven. Zinfandel had always been thought of as an “American Grape” until the 1970’s when it heritage came into question when it was thought that Zinfandel was actually Primitivo that is grown in Southern Italy. Much research has been carried out into the DNA of vines over recent years and current research indicates that Zinfandels probably originated in Croatia, the research continues with the possibility of tracing the vines heritage back even further possibly to Albania or Greece.
White Zinfandel is best served around 54 to 59F whereas Red Zinfandel should be served at around 65F. Zinfandel is well suited to be served with many dishes. White Zinfandel can be paired with light dishes of creamy pasta, with fish, pork, and other white meats. In contrast to this if you buy red Zinfandel wine online, it can be paired with more robust and spicy flavored dishes including grilled/roasted/barbecued beef, lamb, pork through to cheeses, tomatoes, mushrooms and eggplants.
