Primitivo possesses the same genetic make up as Zinfandel. The origins of these grapes trace back to Croatia. Even though they are related they both have different characteristics.
Puglia is home to the Primitivo varietal. Located in the heel of Italy’s boot, Primitivo has an Old World style with rustic notes, earth and spice and tamed fruit flavors. Primitivo dates back many centuries and was named by Benedictine monks because of the early maturity rate of the grape. The name Primitivo derives from primativus and primaticcio describing the characteristics of the grape.
The origins were believed to originate around 6000 B.C. in the Caucasus area in Eurasia and later in the 18th century was brought to Italy. The red wine produced is deep, rich, and has flavors of zesty cherry, clove, wild blackberry, raspberry and spice. European label laws made it difficult for the names of Zinfandel and Primitivo to be interchangeable. Primitivo wines tend to be juicy, well-structured, have a heavy pigment and are high in alcohol. The Primitivo grapes are robust with a lot of sugar that raises the alcohol level in the wine.