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Photo from Luke Mangan's book "At Home and in the Mood" 2009."
www.lukemangan.com.au
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Zinfandel, widely grown in California was introduced to the United States almost 200 years ago. However new DNA research has proven it to be identical to the Italian grape Primitivo and also genetically linked it to the Croatian grape called Crljenak kastelanski (sirl-yen-ack kastenlanski). It is now known that Zinfandel originated on Croatia's Dalmation coast. It probably found its way to the Americas in the early 1800s, when Croatia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, via cuttings of Crljenak taken from the palace gardens in Vienna.
Surprisingly, Zinfandel is little grown in Australia, perhaps because it requires intensive vine and bunch management to achieve optimum wine potential. Despite this, there are several fine examples of Australian Zin that rival the best of this variety produced in California. At Mandalay Road we think we have one of these. Check out a recent review of our 2008 Zinfandel in "The Grape Hunter".
The Zinfandel grape produces a wide range of wine styles varying from white bubblies, dry table wines through to rich, fortified ports. The table wine matches beautifully with rack of lamb or any lamb,veal dish. Having said that, it complements beautifully pizza and a good spag bol!
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