🍇 Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a red wine grape native to Croatia. In Croatia it is called Crljenak Kaštelanski, in Italy Primitivo, and in California Zinfandel. It is one and the same variety, as DNA studies confirmed in the early 2000s.

The variety's homeland is the coast of Dalmatia. From there it reached Apulia in southern Italy, where it became the basis of powerful reds: Primitivo di Manduria, Salento, Gioia del Colle and others. In California Zinfandel became one of the symbols of local winemaking. It gives rich, fruity wine with high alcohol, with aromas of blackberry, plum and pepper.

The berries also make rosé wine, known as blush Zinfandel, and fortified wine. Among Croatian varieties, Plavac Mali is a descendant of Crljenak Kaštelanski and Dobričić. Zinfandel is in the list of grape varieties and tied to Croatian wine. It is an example of how one variety gets different names in different countries, and how science helps establish its true origin.