For more than a century, researchers believed that zinfandel had no traceable lineage until the late 1960’s when it had become the second most widely planted red grape variety in California. The only known fact was that it had European origins since it belongs to the vitis vinifera family of grapes.
In 1967, Dr. Austin Goheen, a USDA plant pathologist, visiting Italian colleagues in Bari, Apulia, discovered by chance that the same grape as zinfandel here called primitivo di Gioia was planted on 50 000 hectares of vineyards.
By and large, primitivo in this warm climate yields thick, full-bodied, high-alcohol red wines.
Zinfandel was introduced in California in mid-19th century, has over time acclimatized, and produces completely different wines to those in Apulia.
It has often been claimed that Agoston Harastazy brought over zinfandel along with many other cuttings from Europe on one of his research trips there. This has since been disproved.
DNA analysis is determined that the ur-zinfandel is at home in Croatia as crljenak kastelanski, and somehow was introduced to Apulia and then brought to the U S A.
It produces vigorously and can yield up to 20 tons per hectare; but ripens unevenly (grape bunches on the same vine may show up to five degrees sugar content difference).
In California, Mendocino, Sonoma County, Amador, Contra Costa counties and Napa valley are well noted for their zinfandel wines.
It is also planted in Oregon, Washington State, British Columbia, Ontario, South Africa, and Australia.
There is no definite California zinfandel style. The grape yields different flavours when planted on the coastal regions or inland. The style also depends very much on the philosophy of the winemaker.
There are now approximately 19 000 hectares of zinfandel vines in California and more may be planted if demand increases. After cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, zinfandel plantings rank third in the sunny state of California.
Some are produced in so called “white zinfandel” which is a very pale rose, to medium-bodied, full bodied and even port styles. It integrates well with French and American oak.
Some are dark, intensely fruity (berries), and highly tannic and can be cellared for many years; others like “white zinfandel” should be consumes within a year of harvest.
It yields better fruit when planted on cooler coastal county soils, carefully tended and pried to yield five to seven tons per hectare.
Since there is no definitive style of zinfandel, some bottles are very expensive and others medium priced, yet others very inexpensive; this confuses consumers.
Yet in the cellars of many connoisseurs today, it is very common for zinfandel bottles to be aging alongside prestigious bottles of cabernet sauvignon, and top-drawer wines from chateaux in Bordeaux to other famous regions.
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Denver Engagement Photographer
October 22nd, 2009 at 21:11
Man I do love me a good zin. I mean how could you not.
engineering services
October 24th, 2009 at 08:27
Hi,
This is really a nice post with have good blog.I love zin & my favourite drink wine zin.
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Mike Wiess
October 25th, 2009 at 17:05
Zinfandel is one of those classic wine that pairs well with food. Great blog!
.-= Mike Wiess´s last blog ..Emeril Lagasse Profile and Recipes =-.
Anton
October 29th, 2009 at 22:27
Looking at that picture, those grapes look a lot like the rather small Leon Millot that i have grown for a couple of years. Just took the first harvest of them 2 weeks ago and now its wine making in progress. Will probably not be more than 2-3 liters but I hope it´ll taste good in a year when its done.
Steven from sonoma
November 12th, 2009 at 21:21
Trying some homemade wine but need to work on sugar content.
http://scriptvault.site11.com
.-= Steven from sonoma´s last blog ..Freelance Writng- What Is Your Worth? =-.
Susan T.
November 12th, 2009 at 21:24
Zin is big now in Napa, as it should be!
.-= Susan T.´s last blog ..Dining With Disneyland Characters =-.
Morten Pedersen
November 13th, 2009 at 13:32
Zinfandel is a great grape. But here in Norway there is I think a little to small choices in wines from California and they are expensive too so we are seldom buying them.
Steven W.
November 19th, 2009 at 01:27
Wine is a healthy thing if taken in moderation!
.-= Steven W.´s last blog ..Healthy Eating While Pregnant =-.
Jerry J
November 23rd, 2009 at 19:51
Zin is gaining popularity more and more in N. Cali as the growers realize the versatility of this grape.
Bed and Breakfasts
March 3rd, 2010 at 05:16
Very interesting post and some really nice information about the Zinfandel grape. It’s amazing to read that the grape yields a different flavor when planted on the coast and inland. Growing wine really is a fascinating process and I would love to visit a real vineyard some day.
Also thank you for posting such a beautiful picture of the grapes. That color is so rich and the texture looks so delicious it makes me want to pop open a bottle now!
.-= Bed and Breakfasts´s last blog ..The Land of Shenendoah =-.