Primitivo is a dry, red wine. The flavors of Primitivo are, naturally, very similar to those of Zinfandel, but often it is somewhat leaner, and more structured and earthy. Typical characteristics include ripe berry fruit, plum, black pepper, fresh earth and sweet baking spice. ). Since wine ranges in sweetness, you have to do some research to figure out the actual residual sugar in a specific bottle. You can use wine tech sheets to find the exact number. (So useful!) When reading a tech sheet: Below 1% sweetness, wines are considered dry. Above 3% sweetness, wines taste "off-dry," or semi-sweet. In Manduria, you can also find sweet Primitivo wines labeled, "dolce naturale". These wines have their own DOCG and can only be made in years with quality grapes that are left to dry on the vine. Located a little further north is Gioia del Colle DOC. FOevuH.