zinfandel

noun

zin·​fan·​del ˈzin-fən-ˌdel 

variants often Zinfandel

: a dry red table wine made from a small black grape that is grown chiefly in California

also : the grape

Examples of zinfandel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the industry here is best known for producing bulk grapes for conglomerates such as Gallo, there are high-quality zinfandel vines that are more than 100 years old, and vintners are experimenting with many other varieties. —Justin Goldman, AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025

It’s best known for its zinfandels, and specifically, its old vine zins (many upward of 100 years old) but is also a major producer of cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot and petite sirah. —Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025

The Three Methods To Make Rosé Wine Rosé wines can be made from any type of red grape, but the most common are grenache, syrah, cinsault, pinot noir and zinfandel. —Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025

With more than 85 wineries, Lodi offers friendly tasting rooms where visitors can sample more than 125 varietals, including zinfandel and Rhone-style wines. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of obsolete Hungarian tzinifándli, czirifandli, a white wine grape (misapplied to a grape variety of Dalmatian origin), from German Zierfandler

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing zinfandel

• white zinfandel

Rhymes for zinfandel

• bagatelle
• caravel
• carousel
• carrousel
• citadel
• clientele
• commonweal
• decibel
• demoiselle
• fontanelle
• infidel
• isabel