Zinfandel/Primitivo

Question 1

In what region and country does Primitivo live?

Answer 1

Puglia, Italy

Puglia is the heel of Italy’s boot.

Question 2

What kind of climate does Zinfandel/Primitivo wine prefer?

Answer 2

Warm

Question 3

Why do some Zinfandels/Primitivos show flavors of dried fruit?

Answer 3

Because individual berries within a cluster can raisinate and give prune-like flavors to the final wine.

Question 4

What grape makes White Zinfandel?

Answer 4

Zinfandel

Question 5

Is white Zinfandel dry or medium-sweet?

Answer 5

Medium-sweet

Question 6

How is White Zinfandel typically made?

Answer 6

• Short maceration on the skins to make it pink
• Yeasts removed before fermentation finishes to keep it sweet

Question 7

Fill in the blank:

White Zinfandel usually has _____ alcohol, while red Zinfandel usually has _____ alcohol.

Answer 7

low, high

White Zin has low alcohol (8-10%)
Red Zin has high alcohol (14+%)

Question 8

Is aging in oak or in stainless steel more common for red Zinfandel?

Answer 8

oak

Oak aging helps soften Zinfandel’s tannins, and the oak adds beneficial flavors to the wine such as mocha and spice

Question 9

What’s the typical flavor profile of California Zinfandel?

Answer 9

• Black fruit (blackberry, dark plum)
• Dried fruit (prune)
• Oak flavors (vanilla, mocha/coffee)

Question 10

Which is drier: White Zinfandel or Zinfandel?

Answer 10

Zinfandel

Question 11

What do the structural elements of Zinfandel include?

Answer 11

• Full body
• High alcohol
• Medium to high acidity
• Medium to high tannin

Question 12

What are some flavors that Old Vine Zinfandels from California can develop as they age?

Answer 12

• Earthy (dried leaves, forest floor)
• Sanguine (red meat)