Zinfandel

The origins of California’s Zinfandel had long been a mystery, until researchers in the 1990s discovered that it was genetically identical to Italy’s Primitivo, with their origins on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. Whilst this well-travelled grape produces jammy, overblown wines when not cared for, the best examples from producers like Ridge invariably come from old vines, and manage to combine a fine thread of acidity with excellent intensity of flavour and an impressive capacity to age.