Wine on the Radio - February 3, 2004

Primitivo                                              Recommendations

 

So you've heard that old saying, "What's in a name?"

 

Well it may well go through your head when you discover a wine called Primitivo. Primitivo is just beginning to get noticed but its an old fashioned mouthful of wine.

It's Italy 's zinfandel - big, jammy, luscious and, dare we say, a little primitive!   Its traditional home is in the far south, in Apulia , between Foggia and Lecce , which is the whole long heel of Italy 's boot.  

Primitivo and zinfandel are more than long lost cousins; they're identical twins who share the same DNA.   But Primitivo has a more rough and tumble personality, with somewhat higher alcohol to go along with it.

Grilled, flavorful dishes, spicier foods and the tasty red tomato sauces of southern Italian cooking match its dark berry and peppery attitude.   In fact try it with anything you like with zin.

Be on the lookout for zinfandel's emotional Italian twin, Italy 's Primitivo.  

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Some Picks and Recommendations . . . All Prices Approximate

Botromagno 2001 Primitivo $10
Southern Italy, Italy
Winemaker's Notes
Intense ruby red, well rounded with persistent aromas of wild fruits pleasingly young

2000 Apollonio Primitivo IGT $10

Puglia

A big, earthy wine delivering gobs of blackberry fruit and exotic spice

2001 A-mano Primitivo IGT $8

Puglia

WA 89 points, A great value, this 100% Primitivo possesses a deep ruby/purple color in addition to sweet aromas of berry fruit, pepper, wood, and scorched earth

1999 A-mano Primitivo "Prima-Mano" IGT $25

Puglia

WA 90 points