All About White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel Information

Zin-fuhn-del White Zinfandel is a Californian creation, a light pink rosé style wine, made from the Zinfandel grape. It was created by Bob Trinchero of Sutter Home Winery in 1975, in what was essentially a cellar experiment that went charmingly wrong. To make his Zinfandels more concentrated and deeper in color, Trinchero used the old French method of saignée, which involves bleeding off some of the grape juice at the beginning of the wine-making process. Most of the color in wine comes from contact with the grape skin, so a higher ratio of juice to the skin during fermentation imparts a deeper color and bolder flavours. However, in the case of White Zinfandel, the magic lies in the leftover white juice. In his third year of using this method, Trinchero tasted the “leftover” wine – usually, it fermented into a coarse white wine, but in 1975, it was light pink color and slightly sweet. It had experienced a “stuck fermentation”, where the fermentation process stopped before all sugar had turned into alcohol. This mixture was bottled and sold as White Zinfandel, and it turned out to be a massive success.

White Zinfandel Tasting Notes

White Zinfandel is a light-bodied, low-acid wine that varies between off-dry and sweet. It is essentially a rosé wine but made in a style that California can call its own. It is usually quite light in alcohol, falling around 9-10% ABV. In terms of flavour, White Zinfandel usually exhibits notes of tropical fruit, red berries and citrus. There can also be subtle hints of spice like you would find in a red Zinfandel. Look for notes of melon, strawberry, clove and nutmeg.

White Zinfandel Styles

While White Zinfandel can be broadly described as sweet, pink and fruity, no two Californian producers make it in the same way. Nowadays, it’s possible to find dry, savory and full-bodied White Zinfandels, which are closer to a classic Old World rosé than the original sweet style that became famous in California. They can also come in a wide range of colors, from off-white with a hint of pink, to vivid strawberry-colored wines. Whichever style you decide to pick up, all White Zinfandels are easy to drink and food-friendly, perfect for enhancing a variety of light meals.

When To Drink White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel is the perfect drink for combatting hot days, especially if you serve it chilled. It’s ideal for sipping outside with friends, perhaps with a light salad or a bowl of fruit. It can also be paired with a huge variety of cheese, so it’s great to enjoy alongside a cheese platter, or as an aperitif. For maximum enjoyment, you should serve White Zinfandel chilled, at around 45-50 ºF (7-10 ºC).

Best Years To Drink White Zinfandel

Unlike its bold red counterpart, White Zinfandel is not really suitable for cellaring. Due to its low alcohol and acidity, it is more likely to lose some character than develop any tertiary characteristics while sitting on a shelf. To enjoy White Zinfandel at its best, drink it as soon as possible, or within 2 years of the vintage.

White Zinfandel Average Prices

In addition to its crowd-pleasing profile, White Zinfandel usually has a very appealing price tag too. In general, you won’t have to spend more than $10 for a decent White Zinfandel. For a taste of the original creation from Sutter Home Vineyards, you will only have to spend about $6.

White Zinfandel Nutrition Facts

A standard glass of White Zinfandel will contain approximately:

• • 121 calories

• • 5.8 grams of carbohydrates

• • 0.6 grams of protein

Fun Facts About White Zinfandel

In California, White Zinfandel accounts for about 85% of all Zinfandel wines. The first bottles of White Zinfandel bore the name “Oeil de Perdrix”, or “partridge’s eye”, in reference to a rosé wine produced in Switzerland.