Primitivo vs. Zin: The Grape That Changed Its Name
Consider this your morning briefing: Italian Primitivo and California Zinfandel are two faces of the same grape—yet their identities have diverged wildly. The same Tribidrag that once thrived in Croatia now lives as Primitivo in Puglia and Zinfandel in the U.S. What does that mean for your glass? The answer lies in terroir, climate, and the art of naming. Primitivo’s reputation as a bold, dark-fruited red is well-earned. From Puglia’s Salento subregion, this wine delivers ripe blackberry, brown sugar, and baking spices wrapped in velvety tannins. Coastal winds here temper the heat, slowing grape ripening and dialing back alcohol levels—a…