Primitivo Wine

Primitivo, which is loosely translated to "the early one" in Italian, is a dark-skinned grape variety renowned for producing wines with ripe fruit flavors and firm tannins. This ancient grape is thought to predate winemaking itself, with evidence of its cultivation dating back to 6,000 BCE. With such a storied history, every sip of Primitivo offers a connection to the past.

In some parts of the world (such as California), Primitivo is called Zinfandel.

Primarily grown in Italy, Primitivo is celebrated for its high sugar content and full-bodied character. Its wines, which are typically high in alcohol, showcase a striking ruby-red hue. The grape is versatile, lending itself to a range of wines, including dry reds, fortified wines and sweet dessert wines.

Primitivo is bold and fruit-forward, with a luxurious texture that makes it an ideal choice for both colder months and barbecue season, pairing beautifully with hearty, warming dishes and char-grilled favorites.

While Primitivo originated in Croatia, where it’s known as Tribidrag, its spiritual home is in southern Italy, particularly the Puglia region. With its ideal climate for grape cultivation, Puglia has been producing Primitivo wines for centuries.

Brought to North America in the 1800s, the grape gained popularity under the name Zinfandel. Today, it is primarily cultivated in California but can also be found in vineyards across the U.S.

Beyond Italy and the U.S., Primitivo is grown in Mexico, South Africa, Western and South Australia and in the Côtes de Thongue region of France.

Primitivo grapes, despite their thin skins, yield medium to full-bodied wines with moderate to high tannin levels. Thanks to their naturally high sugar content, these wines have relatively low acidity and often boast high alcohol levels, frequently surpassing 15% ABV. Primitivo is known for its intense flavors, which many in the wine world refer to as “jammy.”

The style of Primitivo can vary based on factors like grape ripeness, growing conditions and barrel aging. However, its hallmark full body and fruit-forward character remain consistent, making it a favorite among red wine enthusiasts.

Thin-skinned Primitivo grapes ripen early, producing wines with high sugar content and fruit-forward flavors.

Primitivo wines made in warmer climates usually have more decadent, dark flavors, such as:

• Blackberry
• Cherry
• Raisin
• Blueberry

But in cooler climates, Primitivo can give lighter red fruit flavors such as:

• Strawberry
• Raspberry
• Jammy peach
• Red plum

For barrel-aged Primitivo wines, you can expect those delicious flavors to mingle with smokier, earthy flavors, such as vanilla and cinnamon, black pepper, licorice and sweet tobacco.

When selecting a Primitivo, consider its flavor profile and dryness level to match your preference.

Primitivos from warmer regions like California (where they call it Zinfandel) and South Australia are ideal for those who enjoy wines with bold, concentrated flavors and a smooth, rounded texture. Meanwhile, cooler climate Primitivos, such as those from South Africa, offer lighter, summery red fruit notes that are refreshingly different.

With its bold, full-bodied character and ripe fruit flavors, Primitivo pairs beautifully with rich, hearty dishes. Consider enjoying it alongside lamb or beef stews, Asian-style barbecue, grilled steaks, roast pork or the traditional Puglian Pizza Rustica.

For vegetarian options, Primitivo complements bean-based casseroles, roasted root vegetables, smoked or salty cheeses like Gouda and Parmesan, and stuffed peppers.

Similar to Petite Sirah and Malbec, Primitivo is best enjoyed at room temperature, approximately 68°F. Serving it too warm can accentuate its high alcohol content, potentially overpowering the wine's flavors.

To enhance its aromas and flavors, decant the wine for about 30 minutes before serving. Use Burgundy-style wine glasses to help those rich, fruity aromas fully develop.