Italian Varietals are in Abundance in Temecula - Part IV

The article today is regarding a wonderful fruity grape varietal Primitivo (pronounced Pree-mih-TEE-voe), originating in Italy. Primitivo is a dark red wine with bold fruity taste. Primitivo has been naturally linked to the better known grape varietal Zinfandel.

In this article we will talk about a different variety of these recently appearing Italian varietals in Temecula Valley Wine Country. The first information of this varietal is that it originated in Greece or Albania. It is not known exactly how or at what time this plant was moved 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 area.

Primitivo has been described as many things like the father of the Zinfandel grape, currently so well known in California. In recent years, DNA studies at the University of California at Davis show that the Zinfandel grape is the same as the Primitivo grape grown in southeastern Italys Puglia region. similar tests by University of California at Davis have shown that Zinfandel is a duplicate of the Croatian variety Crlienak. Interestingly enough, Primitivo also initially was modified from Crlienak. This clarifies why the two grapes, Zinfandel and Primitivo, create matching tasting wines and elegant port-style dessert wines.

Wines produced from Primitivo tend to be deeply shaded, luxurious, and combined with flavors of zesty cherry, clove, wild blackberry, raspberry and spice. Sometimes Primitivo wines have a jammy distinction. Primitivo not only harvests a nice table wine but a beautiful, raisin-ey and pruney port-style dessert wine.

Primitivo accompanies the common entree in Italy of grilled lamb. The 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) began considering ruling Zinfandel and Primitivo synonymous for use of wine labels. This conveys that if the ruling is agreed upon that you can find Italian Primitivo wine labeled as a Zinfandel.

In Temecula Valley, Primitivo is accessible in limited quantities 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 keeping to their Italian varietal-centric tasting menu. This winery resides on the De Portola Wine Trail of Temecula Wine Country. They also manages an acre of 9 year old vines in Fallbrook and has planted 3 year old vines grown on the winery location in Temecula Wine Country. Europa Village vineyards has 3 year old Primitivo vines planted. Europa Village is situated between Callaway Winery and Baily Winery on Rancho California Road in Temecula Wine Country.

Cougar Vineyard & Winery is grown in exclusive Italian varietals with two thousand of the eighty five hundred vines planted being Primitivo. Cougar will be discussing other varietals being grown by Cougar in upcoming articles regarding the Italian grape varietals planted in Temecula Wine Country of Southern California.

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.