Best zinfandel wines to try

Wednesday November 20 is Zinfandel Day. For those who aren't familiar with zinfandel, it's a black-skinned grape that hails from Croatia (information we now know thanks to DNA profiling). In Australia, zinfandel is more commonly known by its Puglian name – primitivo. Alongside negroamaro, primitivo is one of the most widely-planted grapes in Puglia, Italy.

So, what does zinfandel taste like? It's known for bold flavours, with characteristics of blackberry, strawberry jam, maraschino cherry, vanilla and licorice, with a hint of spice and a smoky finish. Zinfandel thrives in drier, warmer climates like the Barossa Valley, Margaret River and McLaren Vale. It's lighter in colour than cabernet sauvignon, but when it comes to flavour, zinfandel is bolder than a lighter red like pinot noir. In the US, zinfandel is also made into a pink wine (in a rosé style) called 'white zin'.

Zinfandel is famous for having a higher percentage of alcohol due to its late ripening time. It can reach as high as 17 per cent. Topping the ABV in this list is the 1837 Barossa Rapid Crossings Zinfandel, which sits at 16 per cent. Hentley Farm's 2022 Barossa Valley Zinfandel comes in at a close second, with an ABV of 15.8 per cent.

When searching for food pairings for zinfandel, think spice! Curries (like a katsu) and barbecued meats like brisket. Rich cheeses like manchego are also a great partner. Below are 13 examples, including a rosé, to help kick off your zinfandel journey.

View all zinfandel tasting notes.

View all primitivo tasting notes.

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