Perhaps the quintessential California variety, Zinfandel is a black-skinned grape that produces lush, full-bodied red wines (and the occasional fruit-forward rosé, also known as White Zinfandel). Though it originally hails from Italy and Croatia (where it is known as Primitivo), the bulk of production today is based in the Golden State.
Zinfandel madness in California began around the time of the Gold Rush in the late 1800s because of its relativelyPerhaps the quintessential California variety, Zinfandel is a black-skinned grape that produces lush, full-bodied red wines (and the occasional fruit-forward rosé, also known as White Zinfandel). Though it originally hails from Italy and Croatia (where it is known as Primitivo), the bulk of production today is based in the Golden State.
Zinfandel madness in California began around the time of the Gold Rush in the late 1800s because of its relatively easy-to-grow nature and high yields. Chances are if you were mining for gold, you were also drinking Zinfandel, as it was the customary tipple of the time. As such, it was widely respected throughout the state and choice vineyard locations were reserved for the grape. ...more ...less
After the Gold Rush and the Prohibition years of the early 20th century, Zinfandel was still seen as a money-maker, but was also planted in less-than-ideal locations, resulting in declining consumer esteem for the grape. Red wines in general were becoming less popular with the wine drinking public, so, in part to eat up some of the large amount of acreage of Zinfandel produced, White Zinfandel was invented by BobAfter the Gold Rush and the Prohibition years of the early 20th century, Zinfandel was still seen as a money-maker, but was also planted in less-than-ideal locations, resulting in declining consumer esteem for the grape. Red wines in general were becoming less popular with the wine drinking public, so, in part to eat up some of the large amount of acreage of Zinfandel produced, White Zinfandel was invented by Bob Trinchero of Sutter Home. With only a short amount of skin contact, this “blush” rosé was born and its popularity was almost immediate, driving a large segment of the market during the 1980s and beyond.
Mass-produced White Zin is obviously not a high quality wine, but there is no reason why excellent rosé cannot be made from this varietal, and, in recent years, producers have begun doing just that – the resulting wines are dry but exuberant, showing vibrant fruit notes and great aromatics. Red Zin production has seen a quality increase as well, with producers focusing on cooler climate vineyard locations, allowing the long ripening season that produces fine wines that represent California at its finest. ...more ...less
