Archive for the ‘Wines around the World’ Category

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!

Ice wine isn’t your typical wine. Instead of the grapes being harvested before the weather grows too cool, winemakers actually allow the grapes to freeze right on the vine. Their sugars become more concentrated this way, and they are harvested after freezing.

Typically made into dessert wines because of their sweetness, ice wines are also rather expensive. The tradition is strongly rooted in Austria and Germany, but has since spread to other regions, such as Canada. Canada has made some fine ice wines over the course of the years, and has in fact surpassed Austria and Germany in ice wine output.

Ice wine is often made in a full- to medium-bodied style, with scents of stone fruits like apricots and peaches for white wines and strawberries and candied fruits for red wines. They’re quite delicious, with tones of honey for white and a bit of spiciness in the reds.

The alcohol levels in ice wine are rather low. German wines are often only 7-12% and are, in fact, lower than the Canadian bottles.

So if you want to try something different this season, match up the frost outside with some ice wine inside – but be ready to spend anywhere from $50 to over $100 for a bottle!

Everyone knows about red wine and white wine – but what about that little talked about wine? Those wines that look, well, pink.

Called by a myriad of names (depending upon where you are in the world), you’ve no doubt heard, and maybe even partaken, of rose wines. Whether they’re called rosado or blush wines, they all have the same trait – they are neither white nor red. So how does that happen?

These wines can either be sweet and slightly dry or absolutely dry. No matter which choice is made though, the color is the same. This is because of the way the wine is made. Typically wine color is due to the grape skins. In the case of rose wine, it depends upon the grape being used and just how long the grape skins were allowed to keep in contact with the juice. With red wines, the skins are left in long enough to give the juice its excellent red coloring. Wineries may have specific times allotted to their rose wines in order to give them just the right touch of color before removing the skins.

You can typically find Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel being used to help create rose wines. Some are used alone while others are used together for a more complex taste. The shorter the time the skins are in contact with the juice, the lighter the wine will be. Every winery will be different in this respect.

When people think of wine, their minds automatically shift toward France, Italy, or California. Israel tends to get left behind – despite all the wine one can find in the Bible!

There are many locations in Israel where you can find good wine. Though they aren’t a part of the European Community, they do work in accordance to the regulations, likewise with America’s B.A.T.F.

There are several wine regions in Israel. Galilee is located near the Lebanese border and extends over the northern part of Israel. This is the country’s premier wine region with well-drained and well-nourished soil and cool climate.

Samaria is the largest growing region, enjoying the proximity to the Mediterranean, which provides an excellent climate for a number of grapes. The soil is a little heavier here but still provides good nutrition.

Samson includes the hilly area of the Judean Lowlands as well as the central coastal plain. Soil and climate are similar to the Samaria region. And if you think this region was named after the Biblical hero Samson – you’re right!

Judean Hills includes four well-known areas: Beth-El, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Hebron. Cool at night and warmer during the day, it’s more undeveloped than other regions and contains a mixture of climate and soil styles due to its location.

Negev was the place to grow wine in ancient times, and has seen new vineyards spring up since. The soil, however, is dry due to the arid climate, and requires wineries to deliver water to the vines through man-made means. Night and day temperatures can differ widely, so a close eye is kept on grapes during the growing season.

The Chenin Blanc variety is a surprisingly versatile little grape. While many grapes tend to favor a particular climate or region, people have managed to grow the Chenin Blanc grape in many different areas. You can find Chenin Blanc growing in the Loire Valley of France, in California of the United States, and even in South Africa.

But the variety of the Chenin Blanc doesn’t stop there. Growers have found out that this grape can make wines that range in style. They can be anywhere from rather dry to very sweet. Naturally, the winemaker has the final say in the process. Chenin Blanc wines are white that have a very high acidity. It is this acidity that gives them the ability to age very well. Hold a glass of wine made with Chenin Blanc and you’re bound to notice the fragrant scent.

You don’t have to worry about spending a lot for a bottle featuring Chenin Blanc because it is such a high volume producer. In other areas, it is known by different names. Visit South Africa and it is called Steen. Other places, you’ll hear it called Pineau de la Loire. But whatever name it goes by, it’s always a fine grape.

Dolcetto grapes make fruity wines that tend to be softer and can be consumed rather early after bottling. This can be anywhere from one to two years later. Originally grown in the Piedmont region of Italy, it has slowly diminished in use. That’s not to say you can’t still get a good bottle that features Dolcetto. You can also find a few plantings located in California and other wine regions across the globe, but many of those plantings tend to be for experimental purposes.

The name “Dolcetto” comes from Italian, which means “little sweet one.” However, that may not directly reference the grape, and the true reference is still of some speculation. Dolcetto produces wines that are red and moderate when it comes to acidity. Drinking wine featuring Dolcetto may inspire tastes of black cherry and licorice.

Because it is on the lighter side, you can pair this wine with pastas and even some pizza dishes if you are so inclined.

Have you had the chance to try different wines from around the world? No? Then perhaps it’s time to start.

It’s much easier to sample wines from around the world than it sounds. Virtually any store that has a good wine selection will include wines from different countries. From Australia to Italy, France to the United States, you should be able to find some solid choices. But before you go on a shopping spree, a good idea would be to do some research.

Find a small notebook or even a wine taster’s log and make notes of the wines you would like to try. Is there a particular white wine from Austria that you’ve had your eye on? Or are you interested in only the different wineries of California? Write down all the wines you want to sample, and then begin your journey. Document tastes, smells, prices, and more so you have a good index to fall back on anytime you’re interested in having another bottle of something you liked.

It’s a great way of going around the world without spending too much money to actually go around the world. The internet makes things even better because when you can’t find something at home, you can always have it sent straight to your door!

Like Ireland and England, Russia is not exactly a place that people associate with wine. Harsh climates and tough conditions aren’t friendly to many vines. However, over time with smart selection and careful techniques, Russia has become a producer of good bottles of wine and has several regions well worth taking a look at.

The Rostov region sits beside the Azov Sea and above Krasnodar. It is small with only a handful of wineries that produce wines able to handle the cold climate and the moisture the sea provides.

Below, the Krasnodar region has both the Azov Sea and the Black Sea as borders. This is Russia’s principle wine producing region. It has an early growing season because the climate here is milder and the soil is excellent. It boasts over 50% of Russia’s vineyards.

Stravropol is where the northern part of the Silk Road crossed in centuries past. With a central location, it is actually one of Russia’s greatest agricultural regions. Still, it is relatively dry and cold, but there are over twenty wineries located there. Primarily sweet and dry wines emerge from the area.

Daghestan is a long stretch on the opposite side, bordering the Caspian Sea. All four regions are in the southern parts of Russia where climates are warmest and mildest.

The Trebbiano grape is widely used in Italy, France, and Australia. But it is in Italy where it is the more commonly planted grape. Trebbiano carries with it a high versatility. The vine yields up many white wines that tend to become the foundation for many of Italy’s table wines.

Generally, it produces a dry white wine that contains a neutral flavoring but has a crisp finish. It is relatively high in acid as well. Often Trebbiano is blended with Malaysia Blanca grapes for an improvement in the flavor and an overall boost for the palate. In Australia, Trebbiano is often used to make brandy.

While it can be blended and mixed with other grapes, Trebbiano may not sound familiar to you. In this case, Ugni Blanc may be what you know more of. When it goes by this name, you can find it as the primary grape in the creation of cognac.

Trebbiano grapes yield a wine that goes with a wide number of foods. Because of its lightness, it pairs best with lightly flavored pastas and shellfish. Enjoy it with appetizers as well.