The red winemaking grape, Primitivo (pronounced prim-ah-TEE-voh) is primarily grown in Italy’s Puglia region, in the heel of Italy’s boot. This hot climate produces fruit-filled, jammy wines with medium acidity and tannins. But there is more to the story behind this fruity Italian wine.
Primitivo grapes were brought to Italy from Croatia in the 18th century. In Croatia, the grapes are called Crljenak Kastelianski or Tribidrag. Once in Italy, the grapes were renamed Primitivo which means “first to ripen” because the grapes ripened early than others in the vineyards.
Originally, Primitivo wine was used to blend with other Italian wines, adding alcohol and body. In the 1990s, the government tried to limit the production of low-quality wine and incentivized growers to pull vines — Primitivo being one of them. Then in the mid-90s, DNA profiling revealed that Primitivo was the same grape as Zinfandel. With the popularity of Zinfandel in the New World, there was a resurgence of plantings in Italy and an increased production of single varietal wines.
4 facts you should know
- The Primitivo grape was brought to Italy from Croatia in the 1700s
- The name Primitivo means “first to ripen”
- Primitivo and Zinfandel are the same grape variety
- Sweet wines made from the grape are called “dolce naturale”
Color
Taste profile
Much like Zinfandel, Primitivo wines are full-bodied with medium tannin and acidity. The warm, almost hot climate allows the grapes to produce a lot of sugar which results in a wine with fairly high alcohol content. Italian Primitivo wines tend to be a little earthier than Californian Zinfandel. They are meant to be drunk young but can age for five to ten years in the bottle.
Primitivo is also made into a sweet wine in Italy called, dolce naturale. Grapes are harvested late when they begin to raisin on the vine with concentrated flavors and sugar.
Primary flavors
The intensity of fruit flavors depends on where the grapes are grown. Warm weather with some cooling breezes from the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea, produces wines with jammy ripe berries, cherries, plum, and baking spices. Italian Primitivo tends to be a bit more rustic and earthy than the California Zinfandel counterparts. Late harvest sweet wines have similar fruit flavors but with a riper, candied quality.
4+ Star Rated Primitivo Flavors
Key winemaking regions
Puglia, Italy
In the very south of Italy, in the boot’s heel is where you will find Puglia. Red grapes are primarily grown here. Primitivo is grown in three main regions within Puglia.
The Salento IGT covers a large area within Puglia. Wines labeled with this IGT are usually simple and fruity and best drunk when young.
Primitivo di Manduria DOC is a popular region for Primitivo. In Manduria, you can also find sweet Primitivo wines labeled, “dolce naturale”. These wines have their own DOCG and can only be made in years with quality grapes that are left to dry on the vine.
Located a little further north is Gioia del Colle DOC. This is where Primitivo was first grown in Italy and named Primitivo.
Primitivo food pairings
When it comes to pairing Primitivo and food, look for equally flavorful dishes to pair with this bold wine.
If you’re having a barbecue, Primitivo is a great wine to pair with sweet and savory sauces on grilled meats.
Primitivo also pairs well with dishes featuring tomato sauce such as pizza, eggplant parmesan, and pasta with Bolognese.
Ready to try a bottle of Primitivo? View our selection here. If you want to discover more, check out our guides on Zinfandel and Italian wine regions.
