White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel, often referred to as “White Zin”, is an off-dry to sweet, pink-colored rosé wine. White Zinfandel is made from the Zinfandel wine grape, which would otherwise produce a bold and spicy red wine. As such, it is not a grape variety but a method of processing Zinfandel grapes.

Zinfandel was first made into a ros wine in 1869 by the El Pinal Winery in Lodi, California. The resulting wine was thought of highly enough that California viticultural commissioner Charles Wetmore, the later founder of Cresta Blanca Winery, advocated Zinfandel’s use as a white wine grape. The demand for White Zinfandel resulted in extended commercial viability of old vine Zinfandel vineyards.

Tasting White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel is sweet, soft, and low in alcohol, making it a popular choice with those who would not otherwise drink wine. The sugar content can make it taste almost like a fruit punch, although some examples have crisp acids and are balanced in their own way. White Zinfandel is typically manufactured for immediate consumption rather than for aging.