Zinfandel/Primitivo
Fun fact: over 70-80% of Americans view Italy as their favourite country. So it's all fun and games until you realise that your special, 'All-American' grape, Zinfandel, is not in fact American. Zinfandel and Italy's well known Primitivo are genetically identical, so though planting of Zinfandel in America dates back to the 1850's they cannot technically claim it as their own. If we're getting really specific both grapes are actually clones of the Croatian variety Crljenak Kaštelanski. Not a clue how to say it? Me neither, but apparently it's pronounced Tserl-yee-ehnak Kashh-tell-ann-skee - so good luck with that.
What am I getting?
Zinfandel can come in one of two ways, a full bodied Red or a White Zinfandel - which is actually pink (no end to the logic here). The powerful Zinfandels have a very-berry type vibe going on; raspberry and blackberry being at the forefront of the palate. There's also plenty of tannin and spice occurring. Primitivo wines are equally flavoursome and tend to have very high alcohol levels. According to Lara Burgess White Zinfandel is 'the Paris Hilton of wine: cheap, intolerably stupid, yet somehow still fashionable and newsworthy years after her reality show was cancelled.' And really, she's not wrong. It's pink, sweet and frankly a little icky.
What can I drink it with?
At it's best, Zinfandel is your ideal meat wine - particularly red meats like beef and venison. Because of it's high acidity, it also goes really well with tomato-based pasta dishes, and lighter Zinfandels are also a good option for creamy pastas.
I want it!
The try these out for size:
Let's not go crazy...
Primitivo 2017 Natale Verga (medium, Italy), £7.99 per bottle
All out...
Ridge Lytton Springs 2015 Dry Creek Valley (full, America), £44.00 per bottle
What am I getting?
Zinfandel can come in one of two ways, a full bodied Red or a White Zinfandel - which is actually pink (no end to the logic here). The powerful Zinfandels have a very-berry type vibe going on; raspberry and blackberry being at the forefront of the palate. There's also plenty of tannin and spice occurring. Primitivo wines are equally flavoursome and tend to have very high alcohol levels. According to Lara Burgess White Zinfandel is 'the Paris Hilton of wine: cheap, intolerably stupid, yet somehow still fashionable and newsworthy years after her reality show was cancelled.' And really, she's not wrong. It's pink, sweet and frankly a little icky.
What can I drink it with?
At it's best, Zinfandel is your ideal meat wine - particularly red meats like beef and venison. Because of it's high acidity, it also goes really well with tomato-based pasta dishes, and lighter Zinfandels are also a good option for creamy pastas.
I want it!
The try these out for size:
Let's not go crazy...
Primitivo 2017 Natale Verga (medium, Italy), £7.99 per bottle
All out...
Ridge Lytton Springs 2015 Dry Creek Valley (full, America), £44.00 per bottle
