The article today is regarding a wonderful fruity grape varietal Primitivo (pronounced Pree-mih-TEE-voe), again from Italy. Primitivo is a crimson wine with daring fruity taste. Primitivo has been naturally attached to the more well known grape varietal Zinfandel.
In this article we will talk about a different variety of these newly appearing Italian varietals in Temecula Valley Wine Country. The first knowledge of this varietal is that it originated in Greece or Albania. It is not known precisely how or when this plant was transported into Italy, however the account of this grape in Italy dates back many centuries. During the 17th century, it is commonly known that the Benedictine monks named the varietal Primitivo because of its precociousness (early maturity of the grape) in this zone.
Primitivo has been described as many things like the father of the Zinfandel grape, now so popular in California. In recent years, DNA studies at the University of California at Davis show that the Zinfandel grape is similar as the Primitivo grape harvested in southeastern Italys Puglia region. Other testings by University of California at Davis have catalogued that Zinfandel is a duplicate of the Croatian variety Crlienak. Interestingly enough, Primitivo also initially was modified from Crlienak. This clarifies why the two grapes, Zinfandel and Primitivo, create matching tasteful wines and elegant port-style dessert wines.
Wines made from Primitivo tend to be intensely shaded, luxurious, and concentrated with flavors of zesty cherry, clove, wild blackberry, raspberry and spice. Sometimes Primitivo wines have a jammy distinction. Primitivo not only harvests a lovely table wine but a wonderful, raisin-ey and pruney port-style dessert wine.
Primitivo accompanies the common dish in Italy of grilled lamb. This wine also pairs well with outdoor grilled steaks or chops or meat that has been cooked with or stuffed with fruit.
In 2002, the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) started considering decreeing Zinfandel and Primitivo comparable for use of wine labels. This means that if the decreeing is decided upon that you can find Italian Primitivo wine labeled as a Zinfandel.
In Temecula Valley, Primitivo is attainable in limited quantities as a red table wine and Port-style dessert wine at Cougar Vineyard & Winery found at 39870 De Portola Road. Cougar chose to keep the wine labeled as Primitivo maintaining their Italian varietal-centric tasting menu. This winery is located on the De Portola Wine Trail of Temecula Wine Country. Cougar Vineyard & Winery also manage an acre of 9 year old vines in Fallbrook and has harvested 3 year old vines planted on the winery location in Temecula Wine Country. Europa Village vineyards has 3 year old Primitivo vines planted. Europa Village is located between Callaway Winery and Baily Winery on Rancho California Road in Temecula Wine Country.
Cougar is planted in exclusive Italian varietals with two thousand of the eighty five hundred vines harvested being Primitivo. Cougar will be discussing all of these other varietals being planted by Cougar in upcoming articles regarding the Italian grape varietals harvested in Temecula Wine Country of Southern California.
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