Moxie Vino

What is Zinfandel?

Zinfandel is a bold red wine grape grown mostly in California that tastes jammy and spicy, with blackberry, raspberry jam and black pepper, and it's often higher in alcohol than other reds.

Zinfandel is California's own red: big, jammy and a little wild. And yes, it's the same grape as pink White Zinfandel, just made into a completely different wine.

Tastes like
Blackberry jam, raspberry, black pepper, cinnamon
Sweetness
Dry, but tastes ripe and jammy
Where it's from
California, especially Lodi, Sonoma and Paso Robles
Price range
About $10–25
Serve at
Slightly cool, 60°F
Bodylight → big
Sweetnessdry → sweet
Zingsoft → zippy
Gripsmooth → grippy

What Zinfandel tastes like

Ripe blackberry and raspberry jam with a spicy kick of black pepper, cinnamon or clove. Zin grapes get very ripe, so the wine often lands at 14.5–15% alcohol and feels warm and generous.

Where it comes from, and the White Zin question

Zinfandel is genetically the same as Italy's Primitivo, but California made it famous. Lodi is the heartland for affordable old-vine bottles. White Zinfandel is the same grape made pink and sweet by pulling the juice off the skins quickly, so if you like one, it says nothing about whether you'll like the other.

How to pick a bottle

'Old Vine' on the label means the vines are older, which often gives deeper, more concentrated fruit, though there's no legal rule for how old. 'Lodi' bottles are juicy and good value. 'Sonoma' and 'Dry Creek' tend to be a bit more balanced and spicy.

Check the alcohol if you're sensitive to it. Anything over 15% will feel noticeably hot.

What to eat with it

BBQ is Zin's best match: ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoky burgers. The jammy fruit loves sweet, smoky sauce. It's also great with pizza, chili and sausage.

Zinfandel to try

  • Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

    about $12

    ZinfandelDrink this one

    Jammy, peppery and a crazy-good value. The everyday Zin.

  • Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin

    about $10

    Zinfandel

    Big, fruity and easy to find. A BBQ-ready bottle.

  • 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel

    about $15

    Zinfandel

    Rich and spicy from Lodi. Fun label, solid wine.

  • Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel

    about $25

    Zinfandel

    A step up: brighter, spicier and more balanced. Great with grilled food.

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Last checked 2026-10-11.