Zinfandel

(Zin-fan-dell)

The most variable wine grape of the world, Zinfandel, is the maker of everything from blush wine (White Zinfandel), to rich, heavy reds.

The colour of Zinfandel wine is deep red, flanking on black. Its taste is a spicy, peppery wine, with a hint of fruity flavor - berries or dark cherries.

Zinfandel comes in two varieties – Red and White.

Red Zinfandel, which is an "American Classic" wine, was even originally assumed to be of native Californian grapes. Studies have shown that Croatia was where originated, then spreadiong throughout Italy and the Roman Empire.

White Zinfandel is made from the red zinfandel grape. It is a quaffing wine that is sweet, soft, and low in alcohol. White Zinfandel is particularly made for immediate consumption rather than for aging.

History

In the year of 1975, White Zinfandel, which belonged to Sutter Home's went through a "stuck fermentation", a complication that occurs when its yeast dies before consuming all of the sugar. The resultant liquid, which was tasted after keeping it aside for a few weeks, was found to be of favourable taste and of pink colour. This became popular and today is known as White Zinfandel, This was known earlier as Cabernet Blanc or White Cabernet but is now known as White Zinfandel. It made greater profits than Red Zinfandel.

Taste Profile

The red wine taste varies based on how ripe the grapes are.

Being sweet and soft, it makes a popular pick for those unfamiliar with wines. For the preparation of white zinfandel, the red skins of the grapes are removed before making the wine. The red skins of the grapes give robust flavour and colour to red zinfandel wine. With the skins removed, a white zinfandel tastes sweet and light .The sugar content decides the taste of White Zinfandel sometimes tastes like a fruit punch, depending on how much sugar is present.

Regions

United States

In the state of California, about twenty percent of the Zinfandel-growing counties hold eighty percent of the Zinfandel area. But major producing locations like San Joaquin County make Zinfandel mostly for jug wine or blends. This also includes Stanislaus County and Madera County.

Areas with Zinfandel include Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.

Italy

The twelfth-most profoundly planted grape type in Puglia is Red Zinfandel.

Synonyms

The synonyms of Zinfandel includes-

• Gioia Del Colle,
• Locale,
• Morellone,
• Primativo,
• Plavac Veliki,
• Primaticcio,
• Uva Di Corato,
• ZPC,
• Black St. Peters,
• Zenfendal,
• Zinfardel,
• Zinfindal,
• Taranto,
• Crljenak Kaštelanski
• Primitivo,
• Primitivo Di Gioia,
• Primitivo Nero,
• Zin (informal),
• Uva Della Pergola,

Food Pairing

Light spicey dishes go well with Zinfandel. It is best with creamy pasta dishes and vegetable dishes, such as tomato-based recipes, eggplant or mushrooms. Or with a grilled steak topped with sautéed Portabella mushrooms in a butter sauce. Can also be used with pizza’s, burgers etc and can be used with thick red sauce.

• Zinfandel also works with meat. For example:
• Pork, Beef, Lamb, Italian Sausage, Spare ribs, Brisket, Venison.

• lighter Zinfandel wine is a wonderful red wine food pairing choice for poultry and game fowl when served with a heavier sauce.
• Turkey , Duck, Quail, Pheasant, Chicken.

• Heavier Zinfandel wine pairs best with tomato-based dishes

Seafood And Fish

• Try pairing Zinfandel with seafood stews and soups, as well as seared or grilled fish.
• Tuna,Cioppino (Tomato and fish stew),Bouillabaise

Cheeses

• Parmesan
• Aged Cheddar
• Aged Gouda Asiago
• Dry Jack