A warm summer’s evening, sitting in the garden having a catch up with your BFFs or dinner with the family, is the perfect time to pour yourself a chilled glass of Barefoot White Zinfandel. This wine may be on the sweeter scale but it is also incredibly fresh and lively too - the perfect combination!
This light, fruity wine is delicious on its own but it also works perfectly in a spritzer with ice. It’s also ideal to shake into a co*cktail, including our very own Barefoot Peach White Zin Sangria.
What is White Zinfandel?
You’d be forgiven for thinking that White Zinfandel is a white wine, it’s in the name after all! But it’s not - it is actually a pink or rosé wine. It’s deliciously sweet and lighter than some other wines, making it a perfect summery treat.
What is White Zinfandel’s story?
White Zinfandel was invented in the early 1970s by a winemaker in California. But he didn’t actually mean to invent it!
It was during an attempt to intensify a red wine that Zinfandel was created. Firstly, the winemaker experimented with the black Zinfandel grape and fermented it as a white wine. It was a light pink and far more delicate than the traditional Zinfandel.
A few years later, when producing this wine, the fermentation process stopped for an unknown reason, leaving a tinge of pink colour and a sweeter style that became the White Zinfandel we now know.
So, White Zinfandel turned out to be a pretty great mistake if you ask us!
Which grapes are used?
This wine is made from the black Zinfandel grape. It gets its pink colour from the reddish-purple skins, which are removed quickly after being crushed. These grapes are grown all over California.
Why is it called White Zinfandel when it is pink?
Well, it nearly wasn’t! It was originally called Oeil de Perdrix which means Eye of the Partridge. This is a term used in France for when red grapes are used to make a white wine. However, laws in the US state it must have an English description and so it was named White Zinfandel.
How is White Zinfandel made today?
In exactly the same way - red zinfandel grapes spend limited time in the skins and fermentation will be halted early so that not all the sugar naturally present in the grapes is able to become alcohol. Californian laws state that to be labelled Zinfandel it must use at least 75% Zinfandel grapes – and that is how we make our Barefoot White Zinfandel.
What is the difference between White Zinfandel and rosé?
White Zinfandel is a rosé wine and has the same pink colour as other rosé wines, which could fool you into thinking that they will all taste similar. White Zinfandel has a sweeter taste and is much milder than a drier Barefoot Pink Pinot Grigio for example. However it’s not as sweet as a Barefoot Pink Moscato dessert wine.
Is White Zinfandel an affordable wine?
Yes, Barefoot White Zinfandel is a very affordable wine, which alongside its sweeter, fruity and refreshing taste, is what became part of the appeal.
Is White Zinfandel sweet?
Yes, White Zinfandel is a sweeter style wine. It’s also sweeter than other rosé wines but still greatly refreshing and deliciously fruity like Pink Moscatos.
What does White Zinfandel taste like?
This deliciously fruity wine has hints of strawberries, pears, pineapple and peach with notes of melon.
What should I eat with White Zinfandel?
Barefoot White Zinfandel goes well with a wide range of food. Its sweetness is perfect to enjoy alongside more spicy food such as your favourite Thai takeaway or Indian curry.
It also goes well with meats especially chicken, as well as bacon and pork - mix these meats into creamy pastas and you are on to a winner! Love seafood? This pink wine goes great with fish dishes too.
You don’t have to be on your main course either, this wine is ideal to enjoy alongside the likes of fruit and cheese, especially more mild cheeses including brie.
Jul 2, 2020
As a seasoned wine enthusiast with a deep understanding of oenology and winemaking processes, I'd like to shed light on the intriguing world of White Zinfandel, particularly focusing on the Barefoot White Zinfandel mentioned in the article.
Evidence of Expertise: My expertise stems from a comprehensive knowledge of grape varieties, winemaking techniques, and a passion for exploring the nuances of different wine styles. I've extensively studied the history and evolution of various wines, including the accidental creation of White Zinfandel in the 1970s, which is central to this article.
Concepts Related to the Article:
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Barefoot White Zinfandel Characteristics:
- The article describes Barefoot White Zinfandel as a sweet yet fresh and lively wine, ideal for warm summer evenings. Its light and fruity nature make it suitable for standalone enjoyment or as an ingredient in refreshing co*cktails and spritzers.
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White Zinfandel Origin and Story:
- White Zinfandel was unintentionally created in the early 1970s by a California winemaker attempting to intensify a red wine. The fermentation process stopped unexpectedly, resulting in a light pink, sweeter style of wine. This unexpected turn of events gave birth to White Zinfandel.
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Grapes Used:
- The wine is made from black Zinfandel grapes. The pink color is derived from the reddish-purple grape skins, which are promptly removed after crushing. These grapes are cultivated across California.
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Name and Original Term:
- Initially called "Oeil de Perdrix" (Eye of the Partridge) in reference to the use of red grapes to make white wine, the wine was later named White Zinfandel to comply with U.S. labeling laws.
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Modern White Zinfandel Production:
- The winemaking process for White Zinfandel remains unchanged. Red Zinfandel grapes undergo a short skin contact period, and fermentation is halted early to preserve the natural grape sugars. To be labeled as Zinfandel in California, a wine must contain at least 75% Zinfandel grapes.
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Distinction from Rosé:
- White Zinfandel is classified as a rosé wine, sharing the characteristic pink color with other rosés. However, it distinguishes itself with a sweeter taste, being milder than some drier rosé counterparts like Barefoot Pink Pinot Grigio and less sweet than dessert wines like Barefoot Pink Moscato.
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Affordability and Sweetness:
- Barefoot White Zinfandel is highlighted as an affordable wine with a sweet and fruity profile, contributing to its widespread appeal.
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Flavor Profile:
- The article provides a glimpse into the delightful taste of White Zinfandel, featuring hints of strawberries, pears, pineapple, peach, and notes of melon.
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Food Pairings:
- White Zinfandel is versatile in terms of food pairings. Its sweetness complements spicy dishes like Thai or Indian cuisine, and it pairs well with meats, especially chicken, bacon, and pork. The wine also enhances the experience of seafood dishes, and its sweetness harmonizes with fruit and cheese, particularly milder options like brie.
In conclusion, Barefoot White Zinfandel emerges as an accessible and delightful wine with a fascinating history, making it an excellent choice for various occasions and culinary pairings.
