Zinfandel

A red wine grape originally thought to be indigenous to California. Recently, however, experts have concluded that the Zinfandel grape was brought to the United States from Italy's Puglia region, and is a descendant of the primitivo grape grown there. Regardless, the Zinfandel grape -- with its spicy, raspberry flavors -- makes marvelous, fruity red wines ranging from lighter styles to big, rich bottlings that can rival Cabernet Sauvignon. In the 1980s, white Zinfandel (a Blush wine) also gained considerable popularity. Occasionally, late-picked grapes full of concentrated sugar are made into late-harvest Zinfandels and served as Dessert Wine or in place of Port.