Wine Searcher has compiled its annual list of the world’s most wanted Zinfandels. Below you can find the Top 10 (with their descriptions). Did you favorite make the list?
1. Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Zinfandel, Alexander Valley
Still on top of the charts, this is by far the most popular Zinfandel in the world, with an overall search ranking of 581. It’s consistently well made and very consistent when it comes to average price, too. It has gone up by a buck in the past year to sit at $43.
2. Sula Vineyards Zinfandel, Nashik
We told you that you wouldn’t pick this new entrant on the list. From India’s most prolific wine-producing region, northeast of Mumbai, Sula Zinfandel makes the list as a result of an upsurge in Indian users searching our site. And it’s hard to beat when it comes to price – it averages $11.
3. Cantine-Feudi di San Marzano 60 Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria, Puglia
The most popular Primitivo in the world, this wine is made from 60-year-old vines at a cooperative in Puglia. The cooperative only moved away from bulk wine in 1996, and this wine has been made since 2000. The average price is $25.
4. Turley Wine Cellars Juvenile Zinfandel, California
The availability of this wine tends to be seasonal, so if you’re looking for this 90-point belter from one of California’s best producers, start looking now. This was in second place on last year’s list, but the demotion is probably temporary.
5. Venge Vineyards Scout’s Honor Proprietary Red, Napa Valley
Mostly Zinfandel, this blend was at #4 last year, so it has done well to only fall one place. Very well priced for a Napa red (average price $39), this is Venge’s signature wine.
6. Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel, Sonoma County
A year ago this was in third place on this list, but this Sonoma favorite won’t be too worried. Reflecting the family heritage, Seghesio concentrates on Italian varieties, so perhaps that settles the US-Italy origin question.
7. The Prisoner Wine Co. Saldo Zinfandel, California
One of the brands that escaped Constellation’s sale of its lower-tier wines to Gallo last month, this is pretty consistent with last year’s placing. The $28 average price tag goes to show what good value you can find in Zinfandel – this is in the top half, price-wise.
8. Turley Old Vines Zinfandel, California
The second Turley wine and the second most-expensive wine on the list at an average of $42. Turley Wine Cellars is a Zin specialist, with around 75 percent of its production given over to the variety.
9. Cantine Due Palme Pillastro Primitivo Puglia IGT
It’s back to Italy for this entry, the cheapest on the list at an average of $10 a bottle. Again, made by a cooperative that takes an endearingly traditional approach to its vineyards – it reintroduced the Settonce planting pattern that dates back to Roman times.
10. Black Saint Peter Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi
Named for an old nickname for the Zinfandel vine, it’s fitting that there is at least one Lodi wine on the list, given that region’s affinity with the variety through the years. With an average price of $17, this is a classic Zin in the old-school style.
The Grape Geeks 