Pasqua Desire & Lush Zin Primitivo

Pasqua Desire & Lush Zin Primitivo is a full-bodied 100% Primitivo red wine from Puglia IGT, Italy, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2021 vintage earned a Gold medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and the wine has scored 91 points from Italian critic Luca Maroni — strong recognition for a southern Italian red at this level.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Puglia IGT, Italy  |  Varietal: 100% Primitivo  |  Producer: Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine

Production & Heritage

Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine is a family-owned winery based in the Veneto region of Italy, with a portfolio that extends across several Italian appellations including Puglia. For this expression, hand-harvested Primitivo grapes undergo destemming, crushing, and a low-temperature pre-fermentation maceration lasting approximately one week — a technique designed to maximize aromatic extraction and color intensity before fermentation even begins. Alcoholic fermentation proceeds at 20–24°C over 15 to 20 days with frequent pump-overs, followed by malolactic fermentation and six months of maturation in large wooden barrels. The result bridges classic southern Italian earthiness with a smoother, more fruit-forward profile that nods toward the plush style associated with California Zinfandel — unsurprising, given that Primitivo and Zinfandel are genetically identical grapes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with intense, ripe plum and dark red fruit, quickly followed by layered spice notes — black pepper and cinnamon — before settling into deeper tones of coffee, cocoa, and vanilla. There is a warmth to the aromatics that signals the sun-soaked Puglian terroir.

Taste: On entry, concentrated flavors of cherry and plum coat the palate with immediate richness. The mid-palate broadens with dark forest berries, vanilla spice, and a subtle coffee-like bitterness that adds dimension. The body is full and round, with soft, velvety tannins and a well-integrated residual sweetness (approximately 12 g/L) that keeps the wine approachable without veering into cloying territory.

Finish: The finish is juicy and fruit-driven, with lingering notes of cocoa, vanilla, and a whisper of black pepper. It carries moderate length and a smooth, warming quality that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Desire & Lush Zin

Serve slightly below room temperature — around 16–18°C — to keep the fruit fresh and the tannins in balance. This wine works well on its own but truly shines alongside food. For a red wine cocktail, try it in a Kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and cola over ice), where its dark berry sweetness and spice play perfectly against the bitterness of cola. It also makes an excellent base for a Red Wine Sangria, as the plum and coffee notes hold up against citrus and brandy. For something warming, use it in a Mulled Wine — the existing cinnamon and vanilla spice notes amplify beautifully with added clove and star anise.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners with pasta, sausage ragù, or wood-fired pizza
• Introducing someone who enjoys California Zinfandel to Italian Primitivo
• Barbecue season — grilled meats, smoked ribs, or charred vegetables
• A reliable crowd-pleasing bottle for casual gatherings or dinner parties

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Desire & Lush Zin taste like? It delivers concentrated flavors of ripe plum, cherry, and dark forest berries alongside notes of coffee, cocoa, vanilla, and black pepper. The body is full and round, with soft tannins and a juicy, fruit-forward finish.

How does Desire & Lush Zin compare to California Zinfandel? Primitivo and Zinfandel are genetically identical grapes (both clones of the Croatian Crljenak/Tribidrag), so flavor parallels are strong — both offer dark fruit and spice. However, Desire & Lush Zin carries a more earthy, Old World character with subtle cocoa and coffee undertones, whereas many California Zinfandels tend toward bolder, jammier fruit and higher alcohol.

Is Desire & Lush Zin good for beginners? Yes — its soft tannins, ripe fruit sweetness, and smooth finish make it one of the more approachable southern Italian reds, even for those new to Primitivo or Italian wine in general.

Where is Desire & Lush Zin made? The wine is produced by Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine using 100% Primitivo grapes grown in Puglia, the sun-drenched "heel" of Italy's boot, and carries the Puglia IGT designation.

What foods pair well with Desire & Lush Zin? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's peppery spice and fruit density. Orecchiette with sausage ragù mirrors the earthy Puglian origin of the wine. Aged pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano complement the vanilla and cocoa notes. Slow-smoked barbecue ribs match the wine's full body and soft tannins. Dark chocolate desserts echo the coffee and cocoa undertones on the finish.

What sizes does Desire & Lush Zin come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Desire & Lush Zin worth the price? Desire & Lush Zin positions as a value-tier to mid-range Primitivo, punching above its weight with gold medals from both the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and the Asia Wine Trophy, plus a 91-point score from Luca Maroni — strong credentials that make it a smart buy within the southern Italian red category.

Why Desire & Lush Zin?

What separates this Primitivo from the crowd is the extended pre-fermentation cold maceration, a step that extracts deeper color and more layered aromatics before fermentation even starts. The six-month rest in large wooden barrels adds structure and soft vanilla tones without overwhelming the fruit — a balance many entry-level Puglian reds miss. Gold medals at both the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and the Asia Wine Trophy validate that this is a consistently well-made wine across multiple vintages. For anyone who enjoys the bold, fruity appeal of Zinfandel but wants to explore its Italian genetic twin in a more terroir-driven, food-friendly style, Desire & Lush Zin delivers exactly that.