Cantele Primitivo Wine Impresses at Las Vegas Restaurant

The Primitivo grape variety is similar but distinct from Zinfandel, offering a unique Italian red wine experience.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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At the Brio Tuscan Grille in Las Vegas, the author enjoyed a glass of Cantele Primitivo, an Italian red wine from the Puglia region. The Primitivo grape is closely related to but distinct from Zinfandel, offering a dark, intense, and earthy flavor profile that paired well with the author's Bolognese sauce.

Why it matters

The Cantele Primitivo showcases the diversity of Italian wine grapes and how they can offer a unique drinking experience compared to more well-known varieties like Zinfandel. As consumers become more interested in exploring new and different wine styles, highlighting these types of comparisons can help educate drinkers on the breadth of options available.

The details

The Cantele Primitivo is a 100% varietal wine from the I.G.T. Salento region in Puglia, Italy. It has a dark color and an intense nose of blackberry and spice, with an earthy aroma that includes a hint of spearmint. On the palate, the flavors are dominated by blackberry, and the tannins are very gentle, making it an easy-drinking and food-friendly wine.

  • The author enjoyed the Cantele Primitivo at the Las Vegas Brio Tuscan Grille.

The players

Cantele Primitivo

A 100% varietal Primitivo wine from the I.G.T. Salento region in Puglia, Italy.

Brio Tuscan Grille

A restaurant located in Las Vegas, Nevada where the author sampled the Cantele Primitivo wine.

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What they’re saying

“Primitivo and Zinfandel were thought to be the same grape with different names, until DNA analysis showed that, while very similar, they are different grapes.”

— Randy Fuller, Author (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

The Cantele Primitivo demonstrates how exploring lesser-known Italian grape varieties can provide wine drinkers with a unique and enjoyable tasting experience, especially when compared to more familiar grapes like Zinfandel. As consumer interest in wine diversity grows, highlighting these types of comparisons can help educate and expand palates.