zinfandel
noun
a black vinifera grape, grown in California.
zinfandel
American
[zin-fuhn-del]
/ ˈzɪn fənˌdɛl /
noun
-
a black vinifera grape, grown in California.
-
a dry red wine made from this grape in California.
Zinfandel
British
/ ˈzɪnfənˌdɛl /
noun
Etymology
Origin of zinfandel
First recorded in 1895–1900; origin uncertain, perhaps via Czech or Hungarian as a corruption of Zierfandler, an Austrian grape
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
There’s plenty for visiting foragers to enjoy — in addition to the rows of sauvignon blanc, zinfandel and many other grape varieties, Wittstrom notes, there are around 40 different species of mushrooms on the ranch.
From Salon ● May 30, 2024
He remembers driving out to Georgetown, where Tony Picardo, a legendary supplier of zinfandel grapes brought up from California, held court.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 3, 2023
Other varietals farmed in different regions took on different names even though the grapes are genetically identical, such as zinfandel and primitivo.
From Scientific American ● Sep. 21, 2023
Best bets are fruity reds, such as a bright zinfandel or a juicy Australian shiraz.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 9, 2023
Then, in 1994, Franzia and other Bronco executives were indicted on federal fraud charges for falsely claiming that their wine came from premium grapes, such as zinfandel, chardonnay or cabernet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2022
The other 10% he kept for his own brand, Balletto Vineyards, which sells Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2025
Zinfandel is increasingly becoming a niche wine, which is code for expensive.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 17, 2022
For a Zinfandel parallel, Jukes 6 bursts with dark berries like blackberry and black currant, and is sweet, tart, and just a tiny bit bitter in all the right amounts.
From Salon ● Nov. 24, 2021
While that awful White Zinfandel wine fell out of favor, IPA’s are well-established and taste good to one segment of craft beer lovers.
From New York Times ● Jan. 18, 2018
On Fridays, back in Chicago, we had a standing date night, usually meeting downtown at a restaurant called Zinfandel after we’d both finished up work.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
