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• zinfandel
  zinfandel

  noun

  a black vinifera grape, grown in California.
• Zinfandel
  Zinfandel

  noun

  a Californian wine grape originally transplanted from Europe and producing a quick-maturing fruity red wine

zinfandel

American  

[zin-fuhn-del] / ˈzɪn fənˌdɛl /

noun

1. a black vinifera grape, grown in California.

2. a dry red wine made from this grape in California.

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Zinfandel British  

/ ˈzɪnfənˌdɛl /

noun

1. a Californian wine grape originally transplanted from Europe and producing a quick-maturing fruity red wine

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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

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

With the exception of a St. Helena estate and vineyard on Zinfandel Lane at the banks of the Napa River, the rest are owned by her husband.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2022

Launched in March 2021, the California Zinfandel Trail hopes to reintroduce wine drinkers to zinfandels — and in doing so, change some preconceived notions about Paso’s heritage grape variety.

From Washington Post • Feb. 10, 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

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