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Zinfandel wine from Dalmatia

Zinfandel: the perfect combination of wine and Croatia!

De Zinfandel is a grape that originates from Croatia. It is also known as Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag. Zinfandel is a red wine grape used to make both still and sparkling wines. The grape has a long history in Croatia, where it has been cultivated for over 600 years.

The first documented use of the word “Zinfandel” was in 1871, when a newspaper in Boston reported that there were Californian vines were grown from grape cuttings that had been brought from Austria. The popularity of the grape also grew with the association with the “White Zinfandel” wine style, which began in the 70s.

History of the Zinfandel grape

Zinfandel is a black-skinned grape variety. It is grown in more than 10 percent of Californian vineyards and is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grapes Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag, as well as to the Primitive-variety traditionally grown in Apulia (the “heel” of Italy), where it was introduced in the 18th century. The grape found its way to the United States in the mid-19th century, where it became known through variations of a name applied to another grape, probably “Zieerfandler” from Austria.

The grape originates from Croatia and found its way to in the 19th century. Italy and subsequently to the United States. It is now one of the most widely planted grapes in California. Zinfandel grows best in warm climates, and its popularity has grown with the “White Zinfandel” wine style, which began in the 70s. The grape is used to make a wide range of wines, from light and fruity to robust and full-bodied.

The history of the Zinfandel grape variety is long and complex. DNA fingerprinting in the late 20th century concluded that it is identical to the Primitivo grape from Apulia in the southeast of Italy, where it was already known in 1824. A Italian However, research published in 2001 claimed that, despite superficial similarities, there are several important genetic differences between the two grapes.

Zinfandel grape

The popularity of Zinfandel

The Zinfandel grape is a versatile grape that can be used for a robust Red wine, or a semi-sweet one rose (blush-style) wine called White Zinfandel. The high sugar content of the grape allows it to be fermented to an alcohol percentage of over 15 percent. The alcohol content also plays a role in the taste of the wine, with a higher alcohol content giving the wine a “hotter” feel.

Zinfandel wines made from ripe grapes grown in warm regions generally have a high alcohol content and flavors of blackberries, anise, and pepper. Wines made from grapes grown in a cooler climate or the earlier-ripening Primitivo clone typically have a lower alcohol content and flavors of red berries, such as raspberry.

Zinfandel is a versatile grape that can be used to make a wide range of wines, from light and refreshing. white wines until rich and full red winesThe grape is also used to make dessert wines, such as the popular Zinfandel Port.

Croatia and Zinfandel

Croatia is one of the world's leading producers of Zinfandel wines, and the country's vineyards are home to some of the oldest. vines in the world. Zinfandel is a popular grape in Croatia and is grown in all the country's major wine regions. The grape is also widely planted in other parts of Europe, including Italy, Austria and Hungary.

In recent years, Zinfandel has become increasingly popular in the United States, where it is grown in a number of different states. Zinfandel is a versatile grape that can be used to make a wide variety of wines.

Whether you are looking for a light and refreshing white or a rich and full-bodied red wine, you will certainly find a Zinfandel wine that suits your taste. If you are looking for a truly unique and unforgettable wine experience, be sure to check out the Zinfandel wines from Croatia.

Zinfandel has a deep dark red color

Relationship with Primitivo, Plavac Mali, Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag

In 2001, however, a team of Croatian scientists discovered that Zinfandel was actually identical to Crljenak Kaštelanski, a red grape variety from Croatia. Their findings were published in the journal Science in 2002. The news caused quite a stir in the wine world, as it meant that the true origin of Zinfandel was unknown.

Many ampelographers, however, believe that Zinfandel is actually a mutated clone of Tribidrag, another Croatian grape variety. So, although the exact origin of Zinfandel is still somewhat of a mystery, it is clear that this grape has strong ties to Croatia.

DNA profiling in 1993 on the Croatian samples and the UCD Old Vines Zinfandel vineyard in Davis showed that Plavac Mali was identical to Crljenak Kaštelanski (also known as Tribidrag), a variety native to Dalmatia.

Dr. Lamberti suggested in 1976 that Primitivo was the Croatian variety Plavac Mali could be. This was confirmed in 1982 by Goheen, who found that they were similar, but not identical, probably as a result of isoenzyme analysis. However, some Croats became convinced that Plavac Mali was the same as Zinfandel, including the Croatian-born winemaker Mike Grgich.

Primitivo and Zinfandel the same grape

In 1993, Meredith used a DNA fingerprinting technique to confirm that Primitivo and Zinfandel are clones of the same variety. Comparative field trials have shown that “Primitivo selections were generally superior to those of Zinfandel, with earlier fruit ripening, comparable or higher yield, and comparable or lower susceptibility to bunch rot.” This is consistent with the theory that Primitivo was selected as an early-ripening clone of a Croatian grape.

The first documented use of the term “Zinfandel” was in 1832, when a Boston newspaper referred to an import from Hungary. It is thought that the grape was brought to North America in the early 19th century, where it became known by a number of different names, including “Zinfandel”, “Black Zinfandel”, and “Red Zinfandel”. The exact origin of the grape is still unknown, but it is believed to originate from Croatia.

The grape found its way to California in the 1850s, where it became a popular grape for making home wines. Commercial production of Zinfandel began in 1869, when the first vines were planted in Sonoma County. Today, Zinfandel is one of the most widely planted red grape varieties in California.

Primitivo/Zinfandel's relationship with Plavac Mali

Meredith's team discovered in 1998 that Plavac Mali was not Zinfandel, but the parent of the other. In 2000, they discovered that Primitivo / Zinfandel was a parent of Plavac Mali† The other parent of Plavac Mali was defined by Ivan Pejić and Edi Maletić (University of Zagreb) as Dobričić, an ancient variety from the Adriatic island of Šolta.

This discovery led to a search for the Central Dalmatian coastal strip and the offshore islands. A matching DNA fingerprint was eventually found among the samples. The match came from a vine which was sampled in 2001 in the vineyard of Ivica Radunić in Kaštel Novi.

This Crljenak Kaštelanski (“Kaštela Red”) appears to represent Primitivo / Zinfandel in its original home, although some genetic divergence may have occurred since their separation. Meredith now refers to the breed as “ZPC” – Zinfandel / Primitivo / Crljenak Kaštelanski.

The search for the origin of Zinfandel took many years and many vineyards. The discovery of Crljenak Kaštelanski was a major breakthrough. To date, this grape variety corresponds best to Zinfandel / Primitivo. There may have been some genetic divergence since they separated, but this is the most likely candidate for the ancestor of Zinfandel. Meredith now refers to this variety as “ZPC” – Zinfandel / Primitivo / Crljenak Kaštelanski.

Glass of Zinfandel - Primitivo wine at Krka waterfalls in Croatia

Zinfandel wine from Croatia

Zinfandel is a red wine grape grown in Croatia. The vineyard where it was found had only nine vines and they were mixed with thousands of others vines. More were added in 2002 vines found in the Dalmatian coastal town of Omiš. The wines made from this grape have a reputation for having more blackberry and herb aromas. Zinfandel is also grown in California, where it appears to grow less vigorously than its sibling. The first Croatian ZPC wine was made in 2005 by Edi Maletić.

In 2012, Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, and the Swiss grape geneticist Dr. José Vouillamoz published *Wine Grapes*, a book describing their search for the origins of Zinfandel. After years of research and DNA testing of vines From vineyards all over the world, they discovered that Zinfandel is a Croatian grape that has been known as Tribidrag since the 15th century. This discovery was made after researching a single 90-year-old vine from the garden of an elderly lady in Split, Croatia.

Zinfandel a versatile grape

Zinfandel is a versatile grape that can be used to make a wide variety of wines. It is usually associated with red wine, but it can also be used to White wine en rose to make. Zinfandel is a robust grape that thrives in warm climates. It produces grapes with thin skin and a high sugar content. If conditions are right, the grapes can be harvested late to make dessert wine. Zinfandel is known for its ability to display the characteristics of its "terroir" and to express the skill of its winemaker.

The Zinfandel grape is known for its uneven ripening pattern, with some bunches containing both raisin-like, overripe grapes and green, unripe grapes. Some winemakers choose to vinify the bunches with these varying levels of ripeness, while others harvest the bunches by hand, even single berries, in multiple passes through the vineyards over several weeks. This highly labor-intensive practice contributes to the high cost of some Zinfandels.

Zinfandel wines are sometimes too hot

Red Zinfandel wines have been criticized for being too “hot” (too alcoholic). However, modern winemaking techniques have helped to make them more accessible. On the other hand, some Zinfandel producers believe that alcohol-removing technologies, such as reverse osmosis and rotating cones, provide a sense of "terroir" remove from the wine. If a wine the tannins and has other components to balance 15% alcohol, it must be accepted on its own terms.

Try a Plavac Mali from Croatia

Zinfandel is a versatile grape that can be used to make a variety of wines, from light and fruity to rich and full-bodied. Whatever your preference, there is a Zinfandel for you. And if you're looking for something truly unique, try one Plavac Mali from Croatia.

The Zinfandel grape originates from the Croatian region of Dalmatia, making it the perfect wine to pair with traditional Croatian cuisine. Both Zinfandel and its brother Plavac Mali is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed with grilled meats, pasta dishes and even desserts. If you're looking for the perfect way to enjoy your next Croatian meal, make sure to pair it with a glass of Zinfandel / Plavac Mali.

With its intense flavor and deep ruby ​​red color, this wine is sure to impress. So don't wait any longer, and get a bottle today Plavac Mali on. You will have no regrets!

Frequently asked questions about ordering & delivery

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We ship all our wines in specially designed, break-resistant shipping boxes. Should a bottle be inadvertently damaged during transport, we will replace it free of charge.

What is the return policy?

You have a 30-day cooling-off period to return your order. Bottles must be unopened and in their original condition. The costs for the return shipment and the return label are at your own expense. View our page about the return policy for more information.

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