Rosé possesses a beautiful appearance and an even lovelier set of flavors. This wine technique can be made with any red wine grape, up to and including the beloved Zinfandel.
Ever heard of a White Zinfandel? Don’t worry: this rarer variety often turns heads among new drinkers and wine aficionados alike, since rosé is usually made with Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Sangiovese.
White Zinfandel is named such due to its lighter blush than the original Zinfandel grape, which is usually a dark red plum. (Remember not to confuse it with white wine!)
Let’s narrow down your White Zinfandel choices so you can start exploring the lesser-explored sides of rosé. Our White Zinfandel prices will move from affordable to higher-end to ensure you’re not missing out!
The Origin of the White Zinfandel
Ever heard of Sutter Home Family Vineyards? This famed winery was established all the way back in the late 1800s in the States, facing down the challenges of a small business and Prohibition laws alike.
This is no mere segue, either. Sutter Home Family Vineyards patented the first White Zinfandel, stepping off the beaten path when considering a new avenue for their wine portfolio.
This rosé variety is now crafted from several wine brands, though remains a niche of a niche category.
What’s the Difference Between Zinfandel and White Zinfandel?
Zinfandel is well known as a robust and powerful grape variety, floating somewhere between the ripe Merlot and the zesty Cabernet Sauvignon. White Zinfandel is the rosé version of the original Zinfandel grape.
What are the Characteristics of White Zinfandel?
Since rosé wine is the lighter, sweeter version of the original grape, you can imagine what White Zinfandel tastes like.
White Zinfandel usually hovers between dry and sweet, similar to the semi-sweet Pinot Grigio. That said, you can easily find this variety leaning toward the extreme end of the spectrum.
Expect to enjoy the aromas of citrus and cloves, especially after a little decanting. Unlike red wines, rosé doesn’t need a long time to reveal its best side.
The dominant flavor notes of White Zinfandel differ from the original grape due to the winemaking process. You’ll enjoy a wide variety such as:
- Strawberry
- Melon
- Ripe red fruit
- Citrus
- Clove
Depending on the winery you choose, you might also enjoy aftertastes or aromas such as:
- Nutmeg
- Lemon
- Flowers
What Does White Zinfandel Pair With?
If you have any past knowledge of rosé, you’ll be able to branch off quite easily with White Zinfandel. If you’ve never had a rosé, don’t worry! We’ll list a bunch of great recipes for you to try.
Roasted Vegetables
Do you love to toss together a quick stir fry? How about barbecued vegetables for the summer months? You’re in good hands with White Zinfandel.
This rosé’s fresh, zesty flavor is more pronounced when you have roasted greens, peppers, or potatoes serving as a contrast.
Turkey-Based Dishes
White Zinfandel is a divine option for the holidays. The sweetish, dryish nature of this rosé will sing with turkey, mashed potatoes, or yams.
Tomato and/or Meat-Based Pizzas
If you regularly enjoy tomato or meat-based pizzas, White Zinfandel should be your go-to option. The fruity flavor and refreshing acidity will make your pizza taste even better.
How to Bring Out the Best in Your White Zinfandel
What other ways can you make your White Zinfandel taste even better? We have a few ideas.
Decanting is a Great Addition to Any Wine
Decanting may sound complicated on the surface, but the truth of the matter is quite different. This act will separate your liquid and sediment to ensure you’re getting the wine’s best flavor.
Unlike its red wine sibling, White Zinfandel only needs twenty-five or thirty minutes to decant.
Swirl and Sniff Your Drink
No, this act isn’t just for show! Swirling your wine a few times before drinking will release flavor chemicals, resulting in a better-tasting wine.
A wine that hasn’t had a chance to breathe will taste tight, sour, or extra bitter.
Drink Your Rosé Sooner Rather Than Later
Not all wine tastes best when aged. In fact, rosé tends to be its freshest and most delicious within three to six months. At the very most, wait two or three years after the wine’s creation date.
The White Zinfandel Price Guide
How much is White Zinfandel, anyway? Our White Zinfandel price guide will steer you toward the bottle you’ve always wanted to try.
The $5 to $15 White Zinfandel Price Range
Less is more! Since this variety is a rare rosé, White Zinfandel prices lean toward the lower end of the spectrum. This list will also be a little shorter than our other wine guides.
- Sutter Home White Zinfandel How could we not start the list except with the original itself? Sutter Home White Zinfandel is the most sensible starting point for your foray into this rosé variety. Raspberries and strawberries are the dominant flavor notes here, with a hard lean toward sweet instead of tart. Drink this casual bottle with friends or save it for your next movie night.
- Bend Cellars White Zinfandel With bold packaging and a low price point, this White Zinfandel puts its best foot forward early. Strawberry and floral flavor notes are dominant here, ideal for light salads or chicken dinners.
- Canyon Oaks White Zinfandel Considering adding a few aperitifs to your wine rack? Canyon Oaks’ White Zinfandel foray is breezy, light, and just a little sweet. Expect melon and strawberry to get your appetite going.
- Buehler White Zinfandel 2019 This winery makes it very clear their White Zinfandel is not like the others. This bottle showcases much more of the Zinfandel than the rosé, resulting in a tangy and drier result.
- Baron Herzog White Zinfandel (OU Kosher) 2020 If you struggle to find Kosher wine options, look no further than Baron Herzog. This White Zinfandel is made with care in accordance with Kosher standards, offering a candied variation on the rosé’s classic strawberry.
FAQ’s
Want to learn a little more about this mysterious rosé variety? We’ll answer a few of the most commonly asked questions below.
1. Why is White Zinfandel so Cheap?
You may be surprised by how affordable so many White Zinfandels are! Due to the reduced costs needed to make this wine variety, wineries are able to cut back on costs.
To an extent, all rosé are cheaper than their red wine cousins due to needing less time in the cellar and having little need to age.
2. What is White Zinfandel Similar To?
White Zinfandel already bears some similarities to rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes. Both types of rosé favor strawberry and raspberry notes. White Zinfandel is also similar to Carignan.
3. Is White Zinfandel Served Cold?
White Zinfandel tastes great at room temperature or chilled, though many prefer the latter due to how the temperature exaggerates the refreshing taste.
Conclusion
Uncommon and tasty, White Zinfandel is somehow both a common sight and a rare one. While you’ll usually find this variety in box wine, bottled vintages are nearly as rare as a blue moon.
White Zinfandel, despite the name, is not a white wine. It’s a rosé variety made with the spiced and robust Zinfandel grape, a popular red wine enjoyed the world over.
Due to the drastically reduced cultivation and storage costs needed for rosé, White Zinfandel is one of the most accessible wines around.
Eager to level up your wine journey? We’ve got guides on Merlot, Pinot Grigio, and much more.
