Want to learn all
about Zinfandel wine? The Vino! Guide to Zinfandel by sommelier
Ronn Wiegand, author of TasteTour wine
guides, is the ultimate resource about this
"fine wine
for every taste."
Meet Zinfandel ("Zin-fan-dell")
Zinfandel, often called the "mystery grape" because
of its obscure origin, yields fine wines in remarkable
range of syles and types. As a flavorful red wine, Zinfandel
ranges in style from fruity and light-medium weight to
rich and powerful. Zinfandel also is used extensively in
rose wine production (these are usually named White Zinfandel)
and in making fortified, port-style wines.
Origin of Zinfandel
Zinfandel is native to east-central Europe, probably originating
on the Balkan Peninsula. In the 1850's, Zinfandel arrived
in California, where it became known for its reliable,
and sometimes exceptional, red table wine. In Italy, Zinfandel
is called Primitvo. The variety is planted throughout southern
Italy, particularly in Apulia, where it is both bottled
as a varietal wine and used extensively in blends.
Zinfandel Around the World
Approximately 95,000* acres of Zinfandel-about 0.5% of
the world's vineyards-are planted worldwide, largely in
Italy and the USA. California's sucess with the varietal,
though, has led to its recent cultivation in many other
regions and countries. More than 500 producers worldwide
bottle Zinfandel (or Primitivo), 275 of these in the USA.
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