Zinfandel

Zinfandel is truly an American specialty.  It is being produced all along the west coast from California to Washington.  It's the #2 most widely planted grape in California, and many consider the Zinfandel to be the "California Red".  Many vines on the U.S. west coast are more than 100 years old to this day.  And being an "old vine Zinfandel" is like a special treat to the fans of Zin.  The grape originated in Craotia, and not Southern Italy, today it is widely planted in Italy as the Primitivo grape.  The Primitivo is a cousin to the Zinfandel grape, it is a bold, rich flavored grape.  The small Zinfandel grape is actually tough to grow and its clusters tighten up and ripen unevenly.  The Zinfandel grape likes warm weather particularly close to the coast.  Zinfandel is a full-bodied red, with ripe raspberry fruit accented by pepper and spice.