Zinfandel

In California, Zinfandel is the #2 most widely planted red wine grape.

Recent research shows that the grape originated in Croatia, not southern Italy, as previously thought.

Wildly popular in the U.S., many consider Zinfandel the quintessential "California red." In fact, California is the largest grower of Zinfandel. It is also widely planted in Italy as the Primitivo grape.

Zinfandel can range from a light Beaujolais-like wine to a late-harvest red with ultra-intense pepper and jam. "Zin" is frequently blended with other grapes.

The small, berry-like Zinfandel grape is tough to grow. Its clusters tighten up and ripen unevenly. That's why many winemakers give it extra hang time. It likes warm valleys close to the coast. Zinfandel does extremely well in Dry Creek Valley, the hills of Napa, Sonoma, as well as Mendocino counties and Paso Robles further south.