Tag: Grapes

White Wine Grapes Guide

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Grapes used to make white wine produce an array of flavors and colors, with colors ranging from clear to a golden yellow as the wine ages. Since different climates affect the flavors of the grapes, different regions produce drastically different wines.

In extremely warm regions, the grapes become less acidic and the color of the wine tends to be more golden yellow. In temperate climates, there is more of a balance of acidity and also sweetness in the wine. Cool climates produce more acidic wines where the crop is prone to frost damage if not picked within the season. Chardonnay is perhaps the most well-known grape.

It is grown throughout wine producing regions of the world, but originated in Burgundy. The wine is typically light golden in color with melon and tropical flavors emerging in the wine. Riesling grapes produce a lighter bodied wine than Chardonnay and wine made from this grape usually is sweeter and has a flowery aroma. Sauvignon Blanc is a grape predominately found in France’s Loire Valley. It is a lighter wine that is often paired with a variety of food, including fish and poultry.

Pinot Blanc is a crisp wine that is sometimes made into sparkling wine in France. Champagne is the famous sparkling wine from the French region of Champagne. Only wines produced in this region can legally be called Champagne under a Protected Designation of Origin status.

Chardonnay grapes are most often used in making champagne, but blends with Pinot Noir are not uncommon. White wine grapes produce wine that is lower in tannins then red wine, since the wine is produced with minimal contact of the juice with the grape skins and seeds. The absence of the dry and intense flavor from high amounts of tannins make white wine easier for wine novices to begin tasting and enjoying wine.

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Growing Wine Grapes

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While growing wine grapes, the basic thing to remember is that each grape variety is unique in its own way with its own distinct flavor and characteristics. Grapes from the Vitis vinifera family are the most commonly used variety of grapes used for wine making. Usually this variety is found in Europe but there are varieties that are abundant in North America as well. The Vitis Labrusca is another popular variety and is commonly found in eastern parts of United States and Canada.

Success in growing wine grapes largely depends on suitable climatic conditions and the variety of vine you choose. These are the most important factors in growing wine grapes which ultimately decide the quality of grapes. Extreme climatic conditions may destroy the whole crop and it cannot be imagined how destructive it can be. Under ideal conditions such a variety should be chosen which ripens during the cooler temperatures instead of summers.

Though soil condition is important for any type of vineyard, they can still be manipulated by adding fertilizers and minerals. The most important thing is to provide necessary mineral content to the roots. You need to test the soil and see if it is free of toxic mineral content. Irrigation channels can be provided so as to make sure that that there is enough soil moisture level.

However, climatic conditions cannot be changed and the only way you can probably provide somewhat better climatic condition is by application of greenhouse transplant. So make sure that the fruit varieties you choose have a proven track record of growing properly in the climatic zone you wish and desire to grow your wine grapes. This will help you greatly in improving your chances of an excellent harvest of grape wine.

It may so happen that you don’t have an alternative. However, in case you are successful in choosing your area for growing wine grapes, care should be taken to avoid such areas where there are very low winter and spring temperatures. Moreover you should also avoid such areas where there is frequent or excessive change in temperatures or there are early frost fall.

Avoid Vine Direction Disasters

Since frost plays a very destructive role in growing wine grapes, you should see to it that you don’t choose lowlands for cultivation since these are the areas where frost hits the hardest. Usually frost settles in these areas first and remains there for a long time. For growing grape wines it is better to choose slopes facing south as there is a bit more sunshine. In areas of high rainfall slopes facing east are better as the rising sun dries the slopes faster. This helps in reducing diseases caused due to accumulation of moisture.

Three crucial factors are to be kept in mind while speaking about climate:

The climate of the region: this includes humidity and temperature range.
The climate of the site: includes drainage and slope.
The climate of grape vine: includes environment within a specified area like a cluster and canopy.

The place you choose should have a long growing season so that vines properly mature. It means that there should be enough sunlight while the fruit ripens because sunlight is most essential while the fruit ripens.

Though it may seem as if there are a number of things to consider, be assured that the plant needs your attention not just once. After they are put in the ground the grape plants only need pruning from time to time. You should be able to find out the right place for growing wine grapes. Though it may take some time, but once you have found it, half the task is done. The next step is to choose a grape variety that suites that particular climatic condition. You can also ask for expert guidance from experienced grape and vineyard growers which would take you to the path of success.

Red Wine Grapes Guide

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Have you ever wondered what kind of grapes go in to the wine you drink? There are several types of grapes grown in all different climates and parts of the world. Cabernet franc, Chenin blanc, and Dolcetto are just a few of the types of grapes used for making red wine. Over the next few minutes you will get some insight into the wonderful world of red wine.

The Syrah grape, the Australians know this grape as a Shiraz, this grape is used for a more fancy lighter, fruity wine. Syrah is grown in France this grape produces a full bodied dark colored wine full of Tannin. You may be asking what Tannin is; Tannin is the “feeling” of a dry wine. Better to be explained by biting into a grape seed or even a banana peal and tasting the dry or bitter taste.

The Tannin level is determined by how long the grape stays in full tact with the stem, seed, and skin, the longer intact the more robust the Tannin. On the opposite end of the spectrum with very minimal Tannin is the Pinot Noir, the wine made by using this grape is harder to find.

The Pinot Noir is generally aged in oak barrels to encourage the taste and help bring more tannin into the wine. Merlot is a type of wine people are more familiar with. Merlot often takes on the taste of prunes or even chocolate also very low in Tannins. A Zinfandel can also be red, this is one of the oldest grapes to be grown n California. A red zinfandel is very rich and colorful also the alcohol content is high.

There are so many types of grapes grown to make red wines. Some wine is high in Tannin and some are very low. Now that you know what makes your wine taste the way it does invite all your friends over and make a toast

The Short History of Malbec Wine Grapes

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Geography and History

Malbec wine is in popularity for last forty years.

The major cause is the name. It is known under many diverse names which Malbec wine is at France means too little. Oxford Companion for Wine lists few 400 synonyms for the Malbec so it should have been very popular at certain stage. But now it is known as the minor blending varieties.

Another nail at coffin for the French Malbec came along with disastrous frosts during 1956. This provided the perfect excuse for re-planting some fashionable & robust varieties. But it isn’t all bad as well. Malbec is a dominant red varietal at Cahors region.  Appellation Controlee systems for Cahors requires minimum content of seventy percent Malbec in wines created from an area.

Only historic reference to Malbec shows that it’s coming from surname of Hungarian peasant who 1st spread the variety all over France and further afield. During 1869 Professor Poet introduced the Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot cutting from Bordeaux till Argentina. In a warm & dry Southern American climate it flourish & soon thriving all over. Argentina & Chile. Ironically, Argentina ‘vine pull’ program at 1980’s left 11,000 acres of the Malbec in a ground. That is now back till 26,000 acres producing astonishing rich, complex, ink wines with smoother tannins & ripeness Europe may only dream about. In contrast, these 25 thousand acres with roughly 150 thousand acres of the Malbec in ground prior to ‘vine pull’ & you may better appreciate certain loss.

Chile appears to have escaped madness & it is now Chile’s 3rd most largely planted variety. On contrast Australia have just 1,230 acres of the Malbec in a ground at 2002 & that region has been lessening over the years.

1st mention of the Malbec in Australia arrives from 1901 where Himmelhoch establishes his own ‘Grodno’ vineyard in Liverpool nearby Sydney planted to Malbec and Shiraz.

As most famous grapes, Malbec moves under most different names however these are more commonly used when compared to others. In Bordeaux it is known as the Pessac or Cot, in French Alsace & Cahors regions it is called as Argentina, Auxerrois gives it a name of the Fer, Portugal refers that as Tinta Amarela & here at Australia we call it as Portugal Malbec.

Wine Characteristics

The major aromas from rich Malbec includes: cherry, plum, coffee, chocolate, raisins, leather & raspberry.

A key flavors which nice Malbec exhibits includes: plum, cherry, dried fruits, chocolate, and balsamic.

Aging at oak releases vanilla aromas & flavors.

French Wine Regions and Grapes

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Many people find French wines “confusing” and have stayed safe with wines with English labels. They have therefore missed these beautiful wines of France.

The confusion over French wines, specifically French wine labels is understandable. After all, there’s the language barrier – all those French words! In addition, most French wines – except some from Alsace, are labeled and named by the region, not by the grape.

Unless you have some basic knowledge about the French wine regions and their grapes, you would not know how to choose a bottle of French wine, and what to expect in the bottle. Having the knowledge of the French wine regions, the grapes, styles & quality of the wine is information built over time. However, this article offers descriptions of the major French wine regions and the main grapes in each region, to help you enter the world of the French wines.

Being familiar with the regions and their major grapes would help you recognize the regions on the French wine label you see next time.

Clockwise from the top right corner of the map of France, the wine regions are Alsace, Burgundy, the Rhone Valley, Province, Languedoc-Rousillon, Bordeaux, and the Loire Valley.

Many wines from Alsace for non-French wine drinkers are probably the most user-friendly for the reason that the wine labels tell you the grape variety in the wine. Alsace makes all white wines, except those from Pinot Noir. The white grapes of Alsace are Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner.

Burgundy (French “Bourgogne”) is the land of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Rhone Valley is really divided into Northern Rhone and Southern Rhone since the grapes and the styles of wines are different. In Northern Rhone, the white wines are made from the fragrant Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, while the red wines are made from the inky dark Syrah. In Southern Rhone, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and indigenous grapes make the white wines, while Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and indigenous grapes make the red wines.

In Province (French “Provence”), it wouldn’t be surprising if the wine has lavender aroma! The red grape Cinsault makes rosé wines. Another red grape, Grenache makes both rosé and dry red wines. The other red grapes for dry red wine blends are Mourvedre and Syrah.

In Languedoc-Rousillon, you’ll find all the grapes from Province, except Cinsault, and adding Carignan and some Bordeaux grape varieties.

Next comes to Bordeaux and its wines that is loved by everybody. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the white grape here. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec are the red grapes in Bordeaux.

Last but not the least is the Garden of France, the Loire Valley, with red grapes of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Gamay, and white grapes of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne.

Another fact to bear in mind is many French wines are not single varietal wines, and instead are blends of local grapes.

Pick up a French wine next time and look for the region. You have now taken the first step into the French Wine World. Welcome!

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