Zinfandel - the pride of California winemakers
Winemakers are always trying to get a hardy and productive grape variety. The California Zinfandel is just that. The American state kindly calls it Zin for its popularity. It was bred by California breeders from some Croatian varieties and Italian Primitivo. The dark Zinfandel grape accounts for 10% of the state's plantations. It is used to make a red dry drink with an alcohol capacity of up to 15%. Zinfandel wine is produced today in other countries, where it has its own characteristics;The flavors of Zinfandel wine depend on the grapes and the method of cultivation. In cool regions it smells like raspberries and other purple berries, while in southern climates it has a blackberry and anise tone. The Zinfandel grape was introduced to the United States from European countries in the late 19th century. Over 20 years of cultivation, it became the most popular grape in California. Now the Zinfandel grape is in a modest fourth place. The top four looks like this:
- Chardonnay;
- Cabernet Sauvignon;
- Pinot Noir;
- Zinfandel.
The Zinfandel grape covers 71,000 acres in various regions of the world. About 50,000 grow in California, USA. The rest of the vine is cultivated in Italy, in the Puglia region. Zinfandel grapes are also grown by Croatian, Australian, Chilean, and Canadian winemakers.
Zinfandel grapes are characterized by strong bushes, dense bunches of medium size. Small grapes are round in shape. When ripe, they acquire a dark purple color. Zinfandel grapes are very prolific and without special requirements. The wine from it is full of different flavors. It can be lightly fruity or complex and even dessert-like port. The Zinfandel grape shows itself in blends with other varieties - Shiraz, Alicante Boucher.
In California, Zinfandel is often clarified. For this purpose, the skin of the grapes, which gives a reddish tone, is removed, and the resulting wine of a slightly pink color is called White Zinfandel. It can be coupled with Muscat or Riesling to add sweetness. Its grapes have very thin skins, and its taste is therefore affected by the amount of rain or sun, as well as by the type of vinification.
Producers don't age Zinfandel grapes for very long. Although, some brands produce varietals that "live" up to 30 years without losing their amazing flavor.
In order to sell Zinfandel wine in California, a specialized community of its patrons - ZAP (Zinfandel advocates and producers) - was created. It includes more than 6,000 American buyers and about 300 producer companies. The community researches Zin varieties, tastes wine, and organizes the Zinfandel festival every year.
Most Zin is produced by California winemakers. It is these products that are called a peculiar example of quality. But each sample has its own twist. Much depends on the place of cultivation. The most appreciated wines come from the following Californian regions:
