Zinfandel

APPEARANCE

ON THE VINE: Zinfandel has a habit of uneven ripening, with the same bunch producing hard green pellets and luscious ripe berries. Once the grapes reach full ripeness, they will soon turn to raisins if not picked quite rapidly.

 

IN THE GLASS: being a versatile grape that can produce a range of styles from dry to sweet and from white to red, Zinfandel's appearance varies from a deep, rich ruby red to a rosy pink and through to white.

SMELL

An aroma of berries. The variety’s associated with rich fruitiness, and dark berry fruit with cherries are often the ones most easily identified. A nose of brambly fruit flavours can develop into a rich spicy stew with time. Another distinctive aroma is raisins – and sometimes rusty nails!

TASTE

This varies with style, because the grape lends itself to white, rosé and red wine making – from dry to sweet. In its most common form it is packed with dark berry fruit – mulberries, cherries, blackberries, fruitcake and some jamminess. It's not a tannic wine but has lush texture and can be high in acidity.

ORIGIN

Although the exact origin is uncertain, Zinfandel is thought to be of European origin, and the same as Italy's Primitivo. However, as California's most widely planted red wine grape at one stage, today it is synonymous with the Californian winelands, where it has been planted since the mid 1880s.

IN SOUTH AFRICA

Plantings are still small and are largely confined to Stellenbosch and Paarl where they have been around since the 1970s. Varietal Zins from the Cape include Blaauwklippen, Fairview and Hartenberg.

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD

Besides the USA, Italy and South Africa, Australia is another location for this unusual variety.

BEST EXAMPLES

The Best Californian Zinfandels include Ridge, Ravenswood and Storybrook Mountain.

AGEING POTENTIAL

Zinfandel has the capacity to age well, though is rarely given the opportunity. It is best suited to dry, sturdy vigorous reds with an optimum life span of four to eight years. Some winemakers believe Zinfandel is at its best between six and 10 years – those wines with higher alcohol levels age better.

MATCHING WITH FOOD

Goes well with pork, chicken or lamb, tomato based pasta, chili con-carne, and can make a good partner to turkey.

SERVING TEMPERATURE

Between 16° and 18° C.