Zinfandel and Primitivo wines both were traditionally robust red, with a high (15 percent) alcohol content
October 11, 2010
Zinfandel: More than Just America’s Wine
You’ve probably been to a party or dinner and noticed that a number of people swear by their “white zin.” That’s a shortened version of “white Zinfandel,” a wine that’s actually not white.
In fact, Zinfandel can be a deep red color, but that version is called Primitivo.
Confused? Let’s untangle those vines for you.
History of Zinfandel
Zinfandel has a long and storied history not just in the United States, but in Europe where it originated. In Croatia, the type of fruit we call the Zinfandel grape is known as Crljenak Kaštelanski. In the 1800s, a plague wiped out almost all of the Crljenak Kaštelanski vines, leaving just a hardy few on the Dalmatian coast.
The Italians also lay claim to the Crljenak Kaštelanski grapes, but they call them Primitivo. Puglia, the portion of Italy most associate with the “heel” of the boot-shaped country, boasts the vineyards that grow Primitivo grapes and therefore the vintners who produce Primitivo wine.
Historians don’t know exactly when Primitivo grapes arrived in Italy, but the first mention of them that’s been found in literature was published in the 1870s. Still, word-of-mouth has it that the grapes were first planted in Italy during the 1700s, and named primitivo because they bloomed early in the year (“primo” means “early” in Italian).
The Zinfandel grape is first mentioned in American records during the 1820s. Some think that its name comes from a Hungarian word for a different kind of grape entirely, and that labels must have been switched accidentally during shipping.
Zinfandel Comes to America
During the California gold rush, Zinfandel grapes made it to the American West Coast. By the end of the 1800s, Zinfandel grapes were the most-produced type in California. Eventually, most forgot the origins of Zinfandel, considering it an American vine, until the late 1960s, when several people noticed the similarity in taste between Primitivo wines and Zinfandel. Eventually DNA fingerprinting confirmed what taste buds had suspected: they are made from the same variety of grape.
Zinfandel and Primitivo wines both were traditionally robust red, with a high (15 percent) alcohol content. During Prohibition and then the Great Depression, however, Zinfandel production sank so low that it was generally used to add to fortified wines.
In 1972, Bob Trinchero had a batch of wine at the Sutter Home winery experience “stuck fermentation.” In other words, for most wines yeast must survive long enough to turn all the fruit sugar into alcohol; for this batch, the yeast died before all the sugar was transformed.
Trinchero waited two weeks, tasted the pink wine, and then decided to sell it anyway as a medium sweet “blush” product. It became very popular and saved many Zinfandel vines from being uprooted, so that when Zinfandel red came back into fashion later there were plenty of grapes to produce the wine.
What Zinfandel Tastes Like
Red Zinfandel has sometimes been criticized as having too much alcohol. It does have a very robust flavor. Modern wine production methods have made it easier to drink, however. It has some strawberry flavors when it’s fully ripened.
If it’s allowed to ripen further, it develops cherry flavors, then blackberry notes. Zinfandel from the Napa Valley tends to have raspberry flavors; Zinfandel originating in warmer Sonoma County tends to have more blackberry, anise and pepper notes. Its color is most often described as “deep garnet.”
White Zinfandel, on the other hand, is sweet, sometimes too sweet, according to critics. More recent productions have more of a fruit flavor and less of the sticky sweetness of the original product, however. Some have fruit juices added directly to the bottle to produce new tastes. It isn’t as popular as it once was in the United States, but it still outsells red Zinfandel six to one. Despite its name, the wine is actually pink.
What to Eat With Zinfandel Wines
Usually, wine experts agree that there are no hard-and-fast rules about wine and food pairings. The most steadfast rule is, “Drink what you like.” However, some people have enjoyed pairing white Zinfandel with seafood pasta dishes with cream sauces, pizza, mild cheeses, couscous, Indian food, desserts, egg dishes, lamb and appetizers.
Because of red Zinfandel’s heartier taste, it holds up well with strong-flavored foods, such as spicy dishes, gamey meats and Asian cuisine. Sometimes people like to drink it with traditionally American food like hamburgers. The best thing to do is experiment with abandon. You’re sure to find your likes along the way!
Source: http://www.tasting-wine.com/articles/grape-varieties/zinfandel.php
The wine shop in Angeles Philippines Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga as well as other wine shops, wine bars and wine outlets in Subic and Manila are wells stocked with interesting selections of Touriga Nacional wine from various producers covering a wide range of prices.
As a wine collector, hobbyist or someone in the wine trade, are you concerned or interested about this also? If so, please stay tuned in to Yats Wine Cellars’ web site to stay abreast of things to do with wine in the world.
News and pertinent information about wine trade, wine appreciation, wine shops and outlets, wine and food pairing, wine making, viticulture, vintages, climate conditions affecting wine, new and revived wine regions etc can be found here in this section. Yats wine Cellars is much more than a Philippines wine supplier with a few wine shops, wine bars and wine outlets in Philippines where clients can buy good wines in Manila, Angeles City, Subic and Clark Philippines. Yats Wine Cellars is also a rich source of information for the convenience of the growing community of wine lovers, wine connoisseurs and hobbyists. Wine lovers in Manila, Subic, Angeles City, Clark Philippines can enjoy fine vintage wines in any of Yats Wine Cellars wine shopping outlets, wine bars, nightlife spots, wine shops and wine restaurants.
You are welcome to post your comments and questions about any topic related to wine on www.YatsWineCellars.com or email Wine@Yats-International.com with your comments, suggestions, questions, purchases or inquiries on wine and wine-related topics.
Leading Philippines Wine Supplier Yats Wine Cellars based in Clark Philippines with outlets in Angeles City, Subic Freeport and Manila Philippines has been not only a wine shop for fine wines covering all major wine regions but also a source of reliable and useful information about wine, wine appreciation, wine accessories, wine and health, food and wine pairing and all other matters relating to wine and its appreciation. This Philippines Clark Freeport based Wine Supplier and Wine Shop frequently holds public wine tasting events in Pampana Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Subic Bay area, Makati, Fort Bonifacio and other areas in Philippines capital city Manila. Private Wine events such as private wine tasting and private wine dinners are also designed and organized for private clientele for their wine loving guests.
This wine shop in Angeles Clark Philippines is also renowned for a very unique product called Vintage Beer which many characterize as “Champagne beer” because it comes in a bottle with a Champagne stopper and metal restrainer. Vintage beers are top-of-the-line luxury beers bottle-conditioned for a slow fermentation to take place inside the bottle, a process that is very similar to Champagne which is designed to not only create the bubbles but also for an amazing complexity and depth of flavors.
For fans of Port and Sauternes, this wine shop in Clark Pampanga has a large selection of vintage port, Sauternes and Barsac as well as Eiswein/Icewine from Austria and Germany. Likewise, there is a good selection of Vintage Champagne at the wine shoppers’ disposal in the cellars of this wine shop in Clark Pampanga.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.
Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)
YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay
Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:
http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com
While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.yatsleisure.com
Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com
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