- Last updated on March 31, 2023
This is our review of the 5 Best White Zinfandel You should drink this year. Enjoy!
Welcome!Have you ever found yourself staring at many Zinfandel bottles wondering which one you would like best?
We spent a lot of hours researching the topic and tested hundreds of wines to come up with the below 5 best-of list for you.
We have ranked them by quality, region, and value for money and added an extensive buying guide so that you have all you need to make an informed decision.
You don’t have to spend several $100s to get an outstanding bottle of wine.
Choose one of the below bottles and you’ll find quality wines at a competitive price, for all occasions and pockets.
Zinfandel is a black grape that has gained popularity in both California and Italy. Its flavor ranges from red fruits to black fruit depending on its ripening.
White Zinfandel is the Rosé version of Zinfandel. It has a light body, red fruit aromas and unlike other Rosé, it’s moderate to sweet.
Our best value bottle selection for you is Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi White Zinfandel 2018.
If you are after the bestoverall bottle, our recommendation is Broc Cellars White Zinfandel.
You’ll find the table of content below. Let’s start with the review!
- Our Best White Zinfandel Selection
- 5 Best White Zinfandel Reviewed
- Buying Guide to White Zinfandel
- FAQ
Our Best White Zinfandel Selection
- Best Overall: Broc Cellars White Zinfandel
- Best Value: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi White Zinfandel 2018
- Best under $8: Barefoot White Zinfandel N.V.
- Best under $10: Gallo Family Vineyards White Zinfandel
- Best California: Sutter Home White Zinfandel
5 Best White Zinfandel Reviewed
Find below the reviews for our wine selection of the 5 Best White Zinfandel so that you have all the info you need to pick what’s best for you.
Best Overall: Broc Cellars White Zinfandel
4.2/5
Vivino’s tips: 2020 vintage rates better than any other year for this wine
Region: United States, Sonoma County
Tasting notes: Strawberry, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Elderflower.
Buy on Vivino
Buy on Drizly
This delicious white zin is probably one of the best you’ll find around at this price point.
This is probably why it’s very popular in the Vivino community.
Expect strawberry, watermelon, grapefruit, tropical fruit, hint of oak and elderflower.
Best Value: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi White Zinfandel 2018
3.7/5
Region: United States, California
Tasting notes: Raspberry, Strawberry, Watermelon, Citrus, Honeysuckle.
Buy on Vivino
Buy on Wine
Delicate raspberry and strawberry fruit character. Jasmine tea and orange zest perfume the aromas and lightly sweet flavors.
With hints of citrus and juicy red fruit from a proprietary blend of grape varieties, the wine’s fruity aromas and flavors come alive through watermelon and floral notes.
Best under $8: Barefoot White Zinfandel N.V.
3.6/5
Region: United States, California
Tasting notes: Raspberry, Strawberry, Tropical fruit, Peach, Hibiscus.
Buy on Vivino
Buy on Wine
Expect flavors of Georgia peach, sun-ripened strawberries, succulent pears and pineapple.
Since it’s sweet, have it stone cold and it’ll be perfect for a hot summer day.
Best under $10: Gallo Family Vineyards White Zinfandel
3.5/5
Region: United States, California
Tasting notes: Raspberry, Strawberry, Tropical fruit, Peach, Rose water.
Buy on Vivino
A medium-bodied wine. With a gorgeous, jewel-like color, the wine has fruit flavors and lingering aromas of sweet raspberries and notes of tropical fruit.
Best California: Sutter Home White Zinfandel
3.6/5
Region: United States, California
Tasting notes: Strawberry, Watermelon, Melon, Cream.
Buy on Vivino
Buy on Wine
A delicate blush pink color introduces this fresh, lively wine. On your palate, light creaminess surrenders to a refreshing crisp finish of strawberries and melon.
Buying Guide to White Zinfandel
It’s not just about which White Zinfandel you should buy.There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more.
The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview on all these topics.
White Zinfandel Overview
Here you find an overview on where this White Zinfandel style is most commonly planted.
Grape
Zinfandel
ABV
8%–10%
Main Regions
USA: California (Napa, Sonoma)
Other Regions
-
Grape
Zinfandel
ABV
8%–10%
Main Regions
USA: California (Napa, Sonoma)
Other Regions
-
White Zinfandel Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of White Zinfandel.
Color
Pink
Nose
Cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry,
Citrus Note
Palate
Red Fruit
Citrus Fruit
Baking Spice, Graphite
Medium to Sweet
Medium-Low Acidity
Medium-Low Tannins
Light Body
Color
Pink
Nose
Cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry,
Citrus Note
Palate
Red Fruit
Citrus Fruit
Baking Spice, Graphite
Medium to Sweet
Medium-Low Acidity
Medium-Low Tannins
Light Body
White Zinfandel Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for White Zinfandel.
Appetizer
Sliced Salami/Pancetta,
Salads,
Fresh or Roasted Vegetables
Meat
Spicy Chicken,
Pork,
Indian cuisine
Fish
Crab cakes
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Hard (Grana Padano),
Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola)
Appetizer
Sliced Salami/Pancetta,
Salads,
Fresh or Roasted Vegetables
Meat
Spicy Chicken,
Pork,
Indian cuisine
Fish
Crab cakes
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Hard (Grana Padano),
Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola)
Serve and Store White Zinfandel
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store White Zinfandel.
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay / Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
Up to 2 years
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay / Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
Up to 2 years
White Zinfandel Useful Insight
Regions and winemaking techniques influence White Zinfandel taste profiles. A rule of thumb is:
- Cool Climates: red fruit notes like raspberry and strawberry are predominant.
- Warm Climates: black fruit notes like blackberry, cherry, anise are predominant.
Our Verdict
White Zinfandel is the Rosé version of Zinfandel. It has a light body, red fruit aromas and unlike other Rosé, it’s moderate to sweet.
If you have been through the buying guide, you should have a pretty good idea of how to navigate the White Zinfandel world.
At the same time, you have probably realized by now, that there’s a huge selection, many styles, and various price points.
The good news is that you can get very high quality usually at a good price if you know where to look!
That’s why proper guidance comes in handy. We hope our guide was helpful in this regard.
Our best value bottle selection for you is Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi White Zinfandel 2018.
If you are after the bestoverall bottle, our recommendation is Broc Cellars White Zinfandel.
As always, make sure to serve your White Zinfandel at the right temperature and with the proper glass.
What to do next?
Be sure to serve your White Zinfandel at the right temperature.
Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro! Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Zinfandel/Primitvo, Syrah/Shiraz, or the other red wines?
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about White Zinfandel.
What is White Zinfandel history?
Zinfandel’s history is quite interesting and deserves to be told!
Zinfandel grapes originated in Croatia around 6000 BCE and DNA wise are identical to Primitivo in Italy and Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag grapes in Croatia.
In the 18th century, it was introduced in Puglia in Italy. It then arrived in the US in the 1820s and by the 19th century, it became the most popular variety in California.
Up until the 1950s, Zinfandel was nearly forgotten following the Great Depression [1] and the Prohibition [2].
Finally, at the end of the 20th century red Zinfandel rose to popularity once again and today is widely planted in California.
Where does White Zinfandel grow best?
Zinfandel/Primitivo grows best in warm and sunny regions. The grape ripening has a direct effect on the taste profile of the wine.
- Under-Ripe / Cool Climates: red fruit (raspberry, red berry) flavors.
- Ripe / Warm Climates: black fruit (blackberry, blueberry), anise, and black pepper flavors.
When is the perfect event to drink White Zinfandel?
Are you hosting or going to an event with spicy food, like Indian cuisine? White Zinfandel is a great match!
Is White Zinfandel sweet?
White Zinfandel is a medium sweet to sweet wine.
The sweetness level of a wine is expressed in grams of sugar per liter, aka g/L, or as a percentage.
- A medium wine contains less than 30-50 g/L.
- A sweet wine contains between 50-100 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
When is the International White Zinfandel day?
There is an International Zinfandel day and it’s the 3rd Thursday in November. But Zinfandel has its own festival as well, the ZINEX [3].
How was White Zinfandel created?
White Zinfandel was actually created by accident. During the fermentation, the yeast died early and left a sugar residual.
The good news was that customers loved it and since then it gained popularity.
What’s White Zinfandel's typical price range?
White Zinfandel it’s an affordable wine! You’ll get a nice bottle for about $10-$15.
Sure, here's a comprehensive breakdown related to the article's content about White Zinfandel wines:
1. White Zinfandel Overview:
- Grape: Zinfandel
- ABV: 8%–10%
- Main Regions: USA - California (Napa, Sonoma)
- Taste Profile: Ranges from pink color to red fruit aromas, including cherry, strawberry, raspberry, citrus notes, and a moderate to sweet palate.
2. White Zinfandel Food Pairing:
- Appetizer: Sliced Salami/Pancetta, Salads, Fresh or Roasted Vegetables
- Meat: Spicy Chicken, Pork, Indian cuisine
- Fish: Crab cakes
- Cheese: Soft (Philadelphia), Hard (Grana Padano), Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola)
3. Serving and Storing White Zinfandel:
- Decant: Not required
- Glass: Chardonnay / Viognier
- Serve at: 45 - 50 °F (7 - 10 °C)
- Store for: Up to 2 years
4. White Zinfandel Useful Insights:
- Taste Profiles: Influenced by regions and winemaking techniques. Cooler climates emphasize red fruit notes (raspberry, strawberry), while warmer climates emphasize black fruit notes (blackberry, cherry).
5. FAQ about White Zinfandel:
- History: Zinfandel originated in Croatia, is identical to Primitivo in Italy, and arrived in the US in the 1820s. It faced decline but regained popularity in the late 20th century.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in warm and sunny climates, with under-ripe/cool climates yielding red fruit flavors and ripe/warm climates yielding black fruit and spice flavors.
- Perfect Event: Ideal for events featuring spicy food like Indian cuisine.
- Sweetness: White Zinfandel is medium sweet to sweet, with a range of 30-100 g/L sugar.
- International White Zinfandel Day: Celebrated on the 3rd Thursday in November.
- Creation: White Zinfandel was accidentally created due to early yeast death during fermentation.
- Typical Price Range: Affordable, around $10-$15.
Wine Recommendations:
- Broc Cellars White Zinfandel: Best Overall
- Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi White Zinfandel 2018: Best Value
- Barefoot White Zinfandel N.V.: Best under $8
- Gallo Family Vineyards White Zinfandel: Best under $10
- Sutter Home White Zinfandel: Best California
The article seems to offer a thorough review and guide for White Zinfandel wines, covering aspects like taste, food pairings, serving recommendations, historical context, and popular FAQs related to this type of wine.
