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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

See Examples For:

zinfandel Zinfandel

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

Three outstanding reds fill out our wine recommendations this week, including another bargain from Portugal, a delicious Lodi zinfandel from a Black-owned label and an exhilarating Beaujolais cru from France.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 12, 2023

Made with chardonnay and zinfandel grapes, navel and Valencia oranges, and ripe Triple Crown blackberries, the vinegars taste great.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 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

Glenn Proctor, who grows Zinfandel and petite Sirah in Healdsburg for his Puccioni Vineyards label, told me it can cost $25,000 to drill a well and come up dry.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2022

“I think that’s why it’s worth spending time on the Zinfandel Trail, because you’re not just going to different tasting rooms and different wineries. You’re discovering all the different styles of zinfandel in the process.”

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