Italian Varietals are Plentiful in Temecula Wineries – Part IV -- The Primitivo Grape



Posted: Thursday, April 22, 2010

by Dave Gregory
Temecula Wineries

Todays article is about a marvelous fruity grape varietal Primitivo (pronounced Pree-mih-TEE-voe), again from Italy. Primitivo is a dark red wine with bold fruity taste. Primitivo has been genetically attached to the better known grape varietal Zinfandel.

In this article we will discuss a different one of these recently appearing Italian varietals in Temecula Valley Wine Country. The first documentation of this varietal is that it initiated in Greece or Albania. It is not known precisely how or when this plant was moved into Italy, however the account of this grape in Italy dates back many centuries. During the 17th century, it is known that the Benedictine monks named the varietal Primitivo because of its precociousness (early maturity of the grape) in this region.

Primitivo has been described as many differences like the father of the Zinfandel grape, now so well known in California. In early years, DNA researchers at the University of California at Davis indicate that the Zinfandel grape is similar as the Primitivo grape harvested in southeastern Italys Puglia region. Other tests by University of California at Davis have shown that Zinfandel is a duplicate of the Croatian variety Crlienak. Curiously enough, Primitivo likewise initially was modified from Crlienak. This clarifies how the two grapes, Zinfandel and Primitivo, make matching tasteful wines and elegant port-style dessert wines.

Wines made from Primitivo tend to be intensely shaded, luxurious, and combined with flavors of zesty cherry, clove, wild blackberry, raspberry and spice. Occasionally Primitivo wines have a jammy distinction. Primitivo not only harvests a nice table wine but a wonderful, raisin-ey and pruney port-style dessert wine.

Primitivo accompanies the well known entree in Italy of grilled lamb. This wine also goes nicely with outdoor grilled steaks or chops or meat that has been cooked with or stuffed with fruit.

In 2002, the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) began considering ruling Zinfandel and Primitivo synonymous for use of wine labels. This conveys that if the ruling is decided upon that you may find Italian Primitivo wine labeled as a Zinfandel.

Within Temecula Valley, Primitivo is accessible in limited number as a red table wine and Port-style dessert wine at Cougar Vineyard & Winery found at 39870 De Portola Road. Cougar chose to maintain the wine labeled as Primitivo keeping to their Italian varietal-centric tasting menu. Cougars winery is located on the De Portola Wine Trail of Temecula Wine Country. Cougar Vineyard & Winery also manages an acre of 9 year old vines in Fallbrook and has planted 3 year old vines grown on the winery location in Temecula Wine Country. Europa Village vineyards has three year old Primitivo vines planted. Europa Village is situated between Callaway Winery and Baily Winery on Rancho California Road in Temecula Wine Country.

Cougar is grown in entirely Italian varietals with two thousand of the eighty five hundred vines planted being Primitivo. We will be discussing all of these other varietals being grown by Cougar in future articles about the Italian grape varietals planted in Temecula Wine Country of Southern California.

Rick Buffington is the CEO of Cougar Temecula Winery. This small boutique is a favorite stop for Temecula Wine Tasting. Next time you visit the Temecula wineries, check out Cougar Winery. Our web address is http://CougarVineyards.com and phone number is (951) 303-3969.
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