Zinfandel has two key features that make it economical to grow and therefore affordable to drink: high productivity and exceptional heat tolerance.

Founded in 1995 by siblings Deneen, David and Coral Brown, Brown Estate produced its first Napa Valley zinfandel in 1996 after the family had been farming grapes and selling them to established winemakers. It is the first and only Black-owned estate in Napa Valley.

They, too, began bottling their excess juice from Red Zinfandel wine and selling “White Zinfandel.” And because it cost them little to make, it became one of the cheapest wines available. Over the years, White Zinfandel wine has become known as THE box wine.

Fruity and complex, Zinfandel is a popular choice for new wine drinkers. Flavors and alcohol levels can range depending if you're sipping a white or red Zinfandel, so there's no shortage of variety. However, it can be confusing to tell if some Zinfandels are sweeter than others.