USA – key grape varieties 2
Red wines have a much better reputation than whites, although not always the case. Single variety Bordeaux grapes and Pinot Noir are the most widely planted and consumed with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon often high in alcohol and intensive oak ageing.
Zinfandel
In recent history, Zinfandel was California’s “mystery grape” because its origins were unknown. DNA fingerprinting has confirmed that Italy’s Primitivo is genetically identical to Zinfandel grapes. However, differences in vine vigour and cluster size distinguish Zinfandel from its genetic twins, and further differences in cultivation, terroir and winemaking combine to give California Zinfandel its own flavour profile with an American name, history and style. On wine labels, U.S. regulations require that Zinfandel and Primitivo be identified separately. Studies indicate that the grape used for making Zinfandel probably originated in Croatia. Historians believe that in the 1820s, a nursery owner brought Zinfandel cuttings that were Croatian in origin to the United States. The Zinfandel name, however, is truly American—the earliest and only documented use of the name is in America where a Boston nursery owner advertised Zinfandel for sale in 1832.
Zinfandel was introduced to California during the Gold Rush somewhere between 1852 and 1857 and became widely planted because it thrived so well in the state’s climate and soil. Today, Zinfandel is the third-leading wine grape variety in California, with more than 44,400 acres planted and 416,615 tons crushed in 2016, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Although Zinfandel is a red wine grape, most Zinfandel grapes are used to make a rosé (blush) wine called White Zinfandel. Promoted to the world by the state’s vintners for more than 130 years, Zinfandel has grown beyond cult status and is now internationally recognized due to the unique character and high-quality wines that are produced only in the Golden State. Popular descriptors for red Zinfandel include blackberry, raspberry, boysenberry, cherry, as well as black pepper, cloves, anise and herbs.
| Primitivo/Zinfandel Black grape variety | ||
| Styles | Climate: Primary profile: Secondary flavours: Tertiary flavours: | Moderate to warm Blackberry, strawberry, often jammy with medium to low acidity, full body and medium to high tannins Cinnamon and sweet tobacco from oak ageing Limited ageing ability |
| Features | Known as Primitive in Puglia, Southern Italy Mostly known as Zinfandel from the USA and other warm climates Often a lighter simpler wine from Italy Easily over extracted and sweet or jammy from over ripeness Can be flabby in very warm climates as acidity gets low | |
| Pair with – Braai, sweet spicy foods (not hot) like Turkish or Mediterranean flavours | ||
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon has been referred to as the king of red wine grapes. Cabernet Sauvignons and blends where the variety predominates are some of the most prized wines produced in California and is also the main ingredient in blends. Cabernet Sauvignons are dry, full flavoured and made to be long lived for many labels. The aging potential can be upwards of 10-20 years, though five to nine years is more usual, and many can be enjoyed upon release. Cabernet Sauvignon from here is often described as having blackberry, currant and cassis or herbaceous, bell pepper and toasty oak aromas and flavours.
Merlot
Merlot is one of the principal wine grape varieties of the Bordeaux region in France and was brought to California in the mid-19th century. Historically, vintners have used Merlot as a blending grape to soften a wine, usually with Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot tannins are less forceful than Cabernet Sauvignon, so Merlot wine tends to mature earlier but is now popular as a single variety wine. Most of the Merlot vines are planted in Lodi/San Joaquin County, followed by Napa Valley, Monterey, and Sonoma counties.
Pinot Noir
When the hit movie “Sideways” was released in October 2004, with the central character Miles extolling the virtues of Pinot Noir, U.S. supermarket sales of the variety jumped 18 percent July 2005, compared to the same period a year earlier. Pinot Noir, however, had been steadily growing in popularity long before “Sideways” helped propel the wine into the mainstream. Pinot Noir can be complex, elusive and difficult to grow. Yet many winemakers will make Pinot Noir because the resulting wines can reap a reward with intriguing aromas of fresh raspberry, plum, rose and spice. While there is plenty of Pinot Noir grown in California, where it can risk becoming over-ripe, many of the best examples come from the cooler climates in the north east.
Syrah
There are still some old vine Syrah vines left over from before prohibition, but most were planted from the 1990s onwards as the taste for Rhône style wines continues to grow. Syrah in America is a grape variety that can produce some serious, long-lived red wines. The usual aroma and flavour descriptors include blackberry, cassis, black pepper, smoke, as well as dry, dark and tannic from the warm, dry climate of California.