zinfandel

noun

zin·​fan·​del ˈzin-fən-ˌdel 

often capitalized

: 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

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

Christopher Cellars 2023 zinfandel and petite syrah blend rounds out the list with black cherry notes and a medium finish. —Irene Adeline Milanez, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025

Traveling through a landscape of 43,000 acres of vines bearing cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and zinfandel grapes, among other varietals, the trains offer an ideal way to taste vintages and experience the beauty of America’s most famous wine-growing region. —Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 13 May 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