With a wealth of powerful aromas of blackberries, plums, dark cherries, and blueberries, red Zinfandel wines are typically heavy and powerful. Zinfandel wines often have a high alcohol content (14–17% ABV), strong acidity, and moderate tannins.
To add polish and completely integrate the alcohol and tannins, these wines are frequently matured for a long time in oak barrels. White Zinfandel, a popular sweet rosé wine in some parts of the world, is also made from the Zinfandel grape.
The Napa Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, and Lodi sub-regions all produce exceptional Zinfandel wines, making California the most well-known Zinfandel-producing region.
Primitivo, another name for Zinfandel, is found in the southern Puglia area of Italy. According to research, Zinfandel shares genetic similarities with several native Croatian grapes, suggesting that the grape may have come from that nation.
Strong red Zinfandel wines go well with robust red meat dishes like braised meats, kebabs, barbecued ribs, or rich game stews because of their strong taste and character. Aged hard cheeses, tomato-based pasta dishes, and herbaceous roast lamb are also excellent choices.
Top Zinfandel Wine Brands To Explore
1995 Turley Wine Cellars Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel
This wine best embodies Zinfandel. It is a dark purple colour with enticing levels of fruit concentrate. This is well-balanced, and there's still space for a lengthy conclusion. In terms of taste, this wine has flavours of cherry liqueur, blackberries, and black raspberries.
2017 Vineyard 29 Aida Estate Zinfandel
The scents of brambly blackberry, white blossoms, and raspberry preserves are prominent in this full-bodied California Zinfandel. Flavours of tobacco, dirt, warm baking spices, and blue and black fruits will accompany your palate.
2016 Chase Cellars Hayne Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel
This Zinfandel is gorgeously deep garnet-purple, full-bodied, rich, and ripe. A scent of blackberries, crushed plums, and notes of mocha, violets, and baking spices will astound you. It continues to deliver on the palate with flavours of fresh black fruits, a silky finish, and a lingering finish with overtones of black pepper.
1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel-Aged Zinfandel
One of California's fastest-growing wine regions is Mendocino County, and 1000 Stories' Bourbon Barrel-Aged Zinfandel is a favourite among locals. By ageing Zinfandel in repurposed bourbon barrels, the wine can absorb the remaining alcohol from the bourbon and develop its classic fruit and spice flavours. The end effect is a strong, jammy taste with hints of red berries.
Bedrock Old Vine Zinfandel
Bedrock Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County Californian winemakers have long been at risk from wildfires, and the state's vintage wines are now at risk from climate change. The robust vintages produced in the past inspired Bedrock's Old Vine Zinfandel, which lost a significant amount of its wines due to smoke damage during the 2020 fires. The wine is robust and has an oaky finish, combining flavours from peppercorns and wild herbs to luscious blackberries.
Caymus Vineyards Zinfandel
Zinfandel from Caymus Vineyards has a silky finish with a blend of rich blackberries, currants, and faint notes of vanilla and wood. Though it may be enjoyed without ageing, this Zinfandel reaches its optimum flavouring two to three years after bottling and pairs beautifully with pizza, tomato sauces, and red meat.
Martinelli Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel
The Martinelli family Zinfandel vineyard's 2016 vintage boasts wonderful nose notes of coffee, stone fruit, and black cherry. The palette is treated with rich flavours of blackberries, baking spices, and black plum with each taste.