Italian Varietals are in Abundance in Temecula - The Primitivo Grape - By: vlcarticle

Todays article is about a wonderful 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 natively attached to the better known grape varietal Zinfandel.

In this article we will talk about a different one of these recently appearing Italian varietals in Temecula Valley Wine Country. The earliest information of this varietal is that it stemmed in Greece or Albania. It is not accepted precisely how or when this plant was transferred into Italy, but 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 zone.

Primitivo has been called many things like the father of the Zinfandel grape, now so popular in California. In early years, DNA researchers at the University of California at Davis show that the Zinfandel grape is similar as the Primitivo grape grown in southeastern Italys Puglia region. similar tests by University of California at Davis have catalogued that Zinfandel is a clone of the Croatian variety Crlienak. Interestingly enough, Primitivo also initially was modified from Crlienak. This explains why the two grapes, Zinfandel and Primitivo, create similar tasteful wines and beautiful port-style dessert wines.

Wines produced from Primitivo tend to be deeply colored, 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 fantastic, raisin-ey and pruney port-style dessert wine.

Primitivo accompanies the common dish in Italy of grilled lamb. This wine also goes well 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) started considering decreeing Zinfandel and Primitivo synonymous for use of wine labels. This conveys that if the decreeing is decided upon that you may find Italian Primitivo wine labeled as a Zinfandel.

In 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 maintaining their Italian varietal-centric tasting menu. Cougars winery resides 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 harvested 3 year old vines planted on the winery property in Temecula Wine Country. Europa Village vineyards has three year old Primitivo vines planted. Europa Village is located between Callaway Winery and Baily Winery on Rancho California Road in Temecula Wine Country.

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

About the Author

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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