Primitivo

Puglia's sun-baked red; genetically identical to Zinfandel.

Primitivo and California's Zinfandel were proven by DNA testing in the 1990s to be the same grape, with origins traced to Croatia's Tribidrag (Crljenak Kaštelanski). In Puglia's Manduria area, Primitivo produces dense, ripe, sometimes raisined reds that can hit 15-16% ABV. The grape ripens unevenly — clusters often have ripe and raisined berries side by side — which contributes to a slightly cooked, jammy character. Cooler Puglia sites and lower yields produce more balanced bottlings.