According to our good friends at WikiPedia, “Zinfandel (also known as Primitivo) is a variety of black-skinned wine grape. The variety is grown in over 10 percent of California vineyards. DNA fingerprinting has revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grapes Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag, as well as to the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in Apulia (the “heel” of Italy), where it was introduced in the 18th century. The grape found its way to the United States in the mid-19th century, where it became known by variations of the name “Zinfandel”, a name of uncertain origin.” Come join us for an old-world, new-world comparison.

Toschi Family Blend    ($9)
A juicy Zin heavy blend from the San Joaquin valley. No vintage and no pretentions. Just drinkable juice.
12.7% by volume

2012 Loggia de Franchi Primitivo    ($11)
A Puglia Zin precursor that is full and fruity without being cloying with notes of licorice and dark berries.
13% by volume

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.