Archive for the ‘Wines around the World’ Category

If you’re looking for good wine, try something a little different. Most people don’t tend to think of wine and Canada together, but you can find great quality wine from Canada if you know where to look. Though Canadian wines have less than a 50% share in their domestic wine market, smart vineyard owners know how to make the most out of a cooler climate with grapes that can handle the seasons.

Wine in Canada is produced primarily in British Columbia and Southern Ontario. Smaller areas that craft good wine include southern Quebec and Nova Scotia. Within these areas, the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia are two of the principal wine-producing regions.

While in other countries, certain areas are known for certain wines, much of Canada is recognized for ice wine. In fact, ice wine is produced with a great deal of reliability in Canada and has been the most recognized product on an international basis. In fact, the growth in the international market for Canadian ice wine has grown, especially when it comes to exporting to China, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.

Next time you see a bottle of Canadian wine, why not give it a try?

In the USA, labels on bottles of wine have to be accurate.
It appears that in China, they take bulk reds from around the world, blend them and put them into fake bottles claiming them to be authentic French Wine.
Be very wary of wines from China.

Can China drink more French Bordeaux than France is producing? Apparently so, if statistics for top Bordeaux consumption in China are correct – by a factor of 8 or 9.

The Shanghai Times reported one enterprising merchant is importing bulk reds through Hong Kong, then bottling them aboard a factory-ship into recycled and fake bottles from the Chateau Lafite Rothschild wine estate. CCTV, the national broadcaster, cited the case of a 5-star hotel in Dongguan, South China, moving 40,000 bottles of Lafite annually. The Chateau Lafite Rothschild annual allocation to the entire China market is only 50,000 bottles.

The scale of fakery appears to be breathtaking. Although the fabled French vintner produces about 200,000 bottles annually, China records some 3 million bottles sold every year, making 80-90 percent of Lafite fakes. Lafite sells for US$7,800 a bottle at some restaurants. Formal business entertainment is expected to serve Lafite as the dinner wine. Businessmen dare not disappoint their guests. Empty bottles of real Lafite trade at near US$450 a bottle to recyclers.

Like the European luxury handbag, watch and couture labels in China, serious punters have more confidence in purchasing the same brands in Hong Kong.

Full article here

It’s terrible to think that wines may become the next market to rip off. It has happened to Gucci, Chanel and hundreds of others.
Be careful when overseas and buying French Wine. It may be Chinese wine – you just won’t know it until you taste it.

For discriminating wine lovers, check out our huge selection of Wine Accessories at BarParts.com.

Looking to try some brand new cheeses with your wine? Cheese, quality crackers or bread, and a good bottle of wine are always an excellent way to snack. Cheese is great if you just want something simple to eat while you enjoy a glass of wine. Try some of these for a nice change of pace.

Blue Castello is from Denmark, a soft cheese for easy spreading. Pour a glass of Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc when partaking of this cheese.

Boschetto al Tartufo Bianchetto is certainly a mouthful to say! Though it has a long name, this soft cheese can make for an excellent choice on your palate. Bochetto al Tartufo Bianchetto is straight from Italy and works best with Barolo or Sangiovese.

Bucheron is yet another soft cheese that hails from France. If you manage to get your hands on it, be sure to pick up a bottle of Chardonnay to match, or perhaps a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.

Cambozola is soft-ripened which can make for some interesting flavors and textures as you eat. Its homeland is Bavaria and works well with Chardonnay.

If you want to drink some Champagne or Gewürztraminer, then by all means look into purchasing some Chevre cheese from France.

Cotija cheese is fun to say and to eat. Coming up from Mexico, this semi-hard cheese is nicely paired with Chardonnay or Riesling.

Crème fraiche isn’t your typical cheese. In fact, it’s often used in or around desserts for a sweet bit of change. Its origins are in France and because of its dessert design, should be treated with dessert wine.

Switzerland seems as though it should be a heavy producer of wine. After all, look at all the countries around it – Italy, France, Germany, Austria. It should be a given that with such wine culture around it, Switzerland should be competing equally with them.

However, people often forget the topography of Switzerland. The country is very hilly, very mountainous. Indeed, there are very few areas that lie below 1,000 feet. Many peaks easily reach above 13,000 feet. This means that Switzerland tends to be much cooler overall, though it can have high temperatures from time to time and often gets a great deal of sunshine.

Switzerland is typically broken up into three main areas: the southern Alps, the western Jura Mountains, and the Central Plateau. The amount of wine produced in Switzerland is relatively small. You’ll find more beer here than wine! But that doesn’t mean the country is absolutely without vineyards. In fact, you’ll find more red than white wine produced here, and wine has been produced in Switzerland for over 2,000 years. Chasselas is the primary white grape found in Switzerland whereas Pinot Noir is the primary red.

The Dolcetto grape variety is excellent for fruity, flavorful wines. Its name actually means “little sweet one.” However, no one is quite sure whether or not the name had any close relationship to the grape’s actual sugar levels. Instead, its name may have been derived from the hills where it is typically cultivated.

Italy hosts the Dolcetto grape, primarily the Piedmont region in the northwestern area of Italy. Interestingly enough, use of the Dolcetto grape is slowly diminishing. The grape itself is relatively sweet, nearly black in color, and produces dry wines. Wine made with the Dolcetto grape is consumed early, around one or two years after harvesting. Flavors can include black cherry, licorice, and even some prunes. The finish may remind the taster of almonds. There are some wines that are made using the Dolcetto grape only, while other vineyards use the grape for experimentation or with other grapes. Plantings can be found in France, California, and even Australia.

Looking for some more wine and cheese pairings? There are plenty out there. The trick is to know which wine goes with which cheese! Find a location that sells an excellent selection of cheeses and wines, and see if you can bring these pairs together:

Portugal has some tasty cheeses, like Azeito. Snack on slices with a good Muscatel. Or try their Ribafria with a glass of Pannonia Gruener Veltiliner or Sauvignon Blanc.

Great Britain offers up some good blue cheeses such as their Beeleigh Blue with Sauternes, Cabernet, or Merlot, and the Shopshire Blue with Port.

What would a wine and cheese pairing be without more cheese from France? Their semi-hard Ossau Iraty works nicely with Barolo, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc. The hard Raclette matches with the Beaujolais, and for something soft Pave Affinois pairs up with Sauvignon Blanc or Sancerre.

Looking for something that you’ll have an easier time finding? Provolone cheese can easily team up with a good Chardonnay, Chianti Riserva, or Barolo. Mini Babybel cheese is highly versatile and pairs well with numerous whites. If you’re willing to go out on a limb, Limburger from Belgium skirts wine altogether and instead pairs up with beer!

Belgium sits right next to Germany and France, to large producers of wine. Belgium has plenty of wine to offer as well, even if it is smaller than its neighbors. There are several sub regions within Belgium: Flanders, Hageland, Haspengauw, Haspengouw, and Wallonie.

Within each of those are a few additional sub regions. Each area will make various amounts of wine and spirits. Because Belgium is beside the ocean and in a more northern position than the countries beside it, grapes grown here need to be able to handle chilly weather and a variety of soils.

Grapes used in Belgium vary depending upon the vineyard’s location and the wine the vineyard hopes to make. Primarily, however, Belgium tends to offer mostly white wines, with just over 50% of their production lending to whites. Red is a much smaller percentage, not quite 6%, though Belgium does craft a few sparkling wines as well.

If you travel to Belgium, you may see grapes such as Müller-Thurgau, Monica, Kerner, and Chardonnay, with a few additional grapes used in order to blend certain wines.

See what Belgium has to offer – you’re not likely to be disappointed. And if you tire of wine, don’t worry – Belgium makes a great deal of various spirits that may catch your interest.

If you’ve ever traveled to another country, you may have realized there are certain things people are expected to do in order to follow certain traditions. Many countries have wine or wine-related traditions. In case you decide to travel somewhere in the near future, keep a few of these in mind so you don’t have to worry about making a cultural mistake.

In Portugal, wine has a long and distinguished history. If you ever find yourself invited to a dinner in Portugal, don’t bring wine from another country! Instead, bring a bottle of Portuguese wine to show that you respect and support the country.

Most of us are familiar with wine either at room temperature or chilled. But hot? Indeed, mulled wine in many European countries is served hot, especially during winter months. Scandinavia’s glogg is served at a toasty 70 degrees F!

In some places, wine was consumed so much it was almost drunk as often as food was eaten! In Moldova, where the poet Ovid was once exiled, he recounted that wine was concentrated and often frozen so it could be enjoyed later on. A common practice in past centuries throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean, wine was watered down to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed.

The Palomino grape is most widely known for the part it plays in many sherries. It is a white grape that has its roots in Spain. Since then, it has branched out far and wide. Palomino grapes can be found in California, South Africa, and even Australia. In these locations, it is mostly used to make fortified wines.

Palomino grapes enjoy growing in warm, dry soil. Some soils are more chalky and can be known as “albariza,” but the Palomino loves them all. Vines grow well and produce numerous sweet grapes that have a low acidity. This particular variety of grape is used especially for Fino sherries which tend to have dry and very light qualities.

The Palomino also has some interesting history, though no one is sure how true this history is. It is said that the Palomino is named after one of King Alfonso’s knights. And not just any knight – one of his most trusted men.

The wines and sherries that the Palomino helps create mean this particular grape can be enjoyed in many ways and with many foods.

Everybody loves cheese and wine together! After all, they make such a lovely couple. So, for your pleasure, here are some more wine and cheese pairings. Start expanding your search to find cheeses you’ve never tried before. In fact, try hosting a wine and cheese party!

Ardrahan cheese comes from Ireland and works nicely with Pinot Noir, Chianti, and Sangiovese.

Ever had soft Banon from France? Or how about St. Andre? Pair the first with Chenin Blanc or Bordeaux. The second with a fruity rose.

Travel to Greece and experience Manouri with Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc. Try the semi-hard Kefalotiri with a dry white like Riesling.

Italy is ready for you with the soft Mozzarella Bufala and the hard Parmigiano-Reggiano. Go with Chianti for the first, Chardonnay for the second.

Great Britain has the semi-hard Red Leicester that works nicely with Pinot Noir or an oaky Chardonnay. Or you can try the Stilton with a glass of Port.

Travel up to Denmark for Havarti with Bordeaux or Rioja. Or how about Sweden’s Graddost with Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc? While you’re there, skip on over to Holland for some smoked Gouda with virtually any red or white that you like!