Posts Tagged ‘grape varieties’

Wine flavors can appear in many different forms, from buttery to berry, you never know what you might get. Usually certain wines tend to have similar tones – most people associate Chardonnay with butter – and they each get these tones from various locations throughout the process. From the vine to the bottle, you never know what might sneak in.

Berry flavors come to life during the fermentation process due to chemical compounds that change throughout the process. Grapes grown in cooler climates tend to have tighter berry flavor, such as cranberry or currant. If the grapes are grown in a warmer environment, they may exhibit flavors more closely related to strawberry and blackberry.

White wines can occasionally share some of the same flavors even if they are from differing grape varieties. Some of the more common ones you may experience are citrus, pear, peach, melon, apricot, mango, pineapple, kiwi, banana, and even warm florals.

The same can be said for red wines. Most of the time you’ll experience darker berry flavors such as cherries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and even others such as plums, raisins, and figs.

If pinot gris and pinot grigio are both pinots, then they can’t be that different, right?

Not so fast.

Despite the fact that both wines are white and come from the pinot grape variety, pinot gris hails from the Alsace region of France, whereas pinot grigio exists mainly in Italy. As anyone even remotely familiar with wine knows, a wine’s taste can differ greatly depending upon where it is grown. Just like real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.

Both grapes come from the pinot noir, but over time their separation and growing habits have transformed them into their own sort of grape, giving each one different flavors and end results. Pinot gris flavors can be medium to full-bodied and can range in color. Pinot grigio is much lighter, with a dry, crisp flavor. It is also much lighter in color. Though they taste different, their similarities lend them both to summertime drinking and enjoyment with chicken, fish, and “light” foods. Both are also very good for cooking when it comes to enhancing flavors.

Ultimately, whether you choose pinot gris or pinot grigio will depend upon what you like most.

Located in the northernmost area of California, Mendocino County has both cooler areas and warmer areas due to the proximity of the ocean.  This, like many other locations in California, allows the growers a chance to utilize several grape varieties.  The vineyards located closer to the ocean where the climate is generally cooler tend to grow chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir, and gewürztraminer.  Warmer areas enjoy growing other grapes such as zinfandel, petit sirah, and, of course, the famous cabernet sauvignon.

People who want to visit California wine country may enjoy some of the larger regions, but Mendocino County is smaller and has a smattering of quaint little towns to visit while there.  It can, in some ways, feel like visiting a European country, especially when you step out and gaze over the rows of vines on their hilly expanses.  There is plenty to do here any time you aren’t wine tasting, making Mendocino County a lovely place to visit and escape all the hustle and bustle of the cities.

One of the best places in California for wine growing is undoubtedly Sonoma County.  The climate is ideal for not just one or two grape varieties, but several.  This means many diverse bottles of wine coming out of the region to people across the country and even the world.  But Sonoma doesn’t enjoy just one main climate; there are several microclimates that vineyards make use of, such as Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley.

Because there are so many different vineyards within driving distance of one another, Sonoma is a great place to take a wide wine tour of several places.  You’ll be able to try a list of wines that sweep across the tableau of bottles.  Cool regions will deliver pinot noir, chardonnay, and others that develop best in a more chilled environment.  Reds with a more substantial style, like zinfandel, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon, can be found in warmer areas.  Everyone in the area is always ready to visit new people and when you aren’t cruising around tasting wine, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself, from shopping to simply sightseeing.

A uniquely shaped region, it’s a thin slice of land that runs along the Atlantic coast, reaching all the way to Lisbon.  It’s a region that has had a long list of difficulties when it comes to making good wine.  While Portugal does have a list of grape varieties unique to its country, there are other international varieties that have found their way into Estremadura.  This makes for an interesting mix of wines of varying qualities.  It is here you can find some wondrously fruity flavors to choose from, often discovered as white wines.

There are plenty of great wines here that are perfect for tasting or enjoying during dinner.  Take a little time to look into the region and don’t be afraid to ask the local populace who makes the best wine for outstanding recommendations.  If you can’t visit Portugal’s Estremadura region, see if you can obtain some of their bottles in your area or have them shipped to you for a delightful international experience.

The Northeastern Region of the United States often experiences cooler weather, which can be hard on some grape varieties.  However, that hasn’t stopped vineyards from popping up in just about every state.  The Northeast consists of eleven states.  New York used to be a high producer of wine, but it has declined over the years.  Still, there are several vineyards that make their home in the more open areas of the state.

Other states also include vineyards that can be relatively easy to find using a simple guidebook or by going online and doing a quick search.  By just combining the name of the state you want to visit and “vineyard,” you will quickly find just about all the potential places you could go.  Vermont alone yields over twenty results, which can give you plenty to choose from on your next trip!

Even if you don’t find any specific vineyards you want to see, there are a number of bars you can visit that serve fine wines from around the country and across the globe.

Practically next door to the Ahr Region, Mittelrhein is aptly named due to its location, right along the Rhine River.  Similar to the Ahr Region, Mittelrhein is small in size, only about 1,700 acres.  In fact, the region has actually shrunk in size over the years, partly due to the steepness of the slopes and the difficulty that can be involved when it comes to growing vines.  The tip of the region begins at Bonn, with Koblenz practically at its center.

The cool climates make it great for Muller-Thurgau as well as Riesling and Kerner grape varieties.  Slate soil makes it an ideal spot for Riesling, which is why you will find that some of the best bottles appear in this region from that particular variety.  Flavorful with plenty of zing, the Riesling is more than ready to please.

The steep slopes may make the Mittelrhein a little forbidding, but don’t let that fool you.  There are plenty of wineries ready to make your acquaintance and show you just how they make such delicious wines in such a unique place.

German wines have a lot to offer, especially since growers in Germany have had to figure out new ways of handling the growing season and developing new grape varieties.  German’s northern location means a cooler climate, which in turn translates into a shorter growing season.  The two primary grape varieties used there are Riesling and Muller-Thurgau, the latter being the most popular choice throughout the country.

German wines use a classification system that is very easy to understand.  The system is based upon the sugar content of the grapes when they are harvested.  There are at least eight major wine classifications, with each one supporting a different group of wines.  The lowest is Tafelwein, meaning “table wine” and is the most consumed wine in Germany, made with grapes that have barely matured.  The highest in the categories is Trockenbeerenauslese which means “selected dried berry harvest.”  This type is extremely rare and can be stored for as long as a hundred years.

Whatever your personal favorite may be, Germany has a wonderful selection, with each region offering a little something special.

A golden grape, Semillon tends to ripen earlier in the year than other grape varieties.  This may make it seem like a risky grape considering the lingering threat of frost or the possibility of spring rain.  However, it is a strong grape that can withstand such events.

You can expect a full flavored wine with plenty of fantastic aromas from the Semillon.  Winemakers often blend the Semillon with other varieties.  A particular favorite is Sauvignon Blanc.  While you can find this type of wine in many different places on the globe (such as Australia!), it is most popular in the Bordeaux region of France to craft delectable white wines.

When coupled with Sauvignon Blanc, it makes for a wonderful base when it comes to making sweet wines.  If not, a dry wine can easily find its way to your table.  Whatever the winemaker decides, Semillon allows them to choose how long it ages as it has the ability to do so for quite some time.

Next time you find yourself looking for a good bottle, why not give the product of this little grape a try?

When people think wine, they automatically think grapes and vines.  It’s a perfectly normal association, especially due to the number of grape varieties available.  Though it is true that almost every wine you see is made from some type of grape, wine has not always been made using these beauties, and even today you may discover a delicious wine that was created using something other than grapes.

Wines can also be made from various fruits and berries.  Makers of these wines use a few processes that can be different from the typical grape winemaking process due to the fruit or berry involved.  However, whatever fruit, berry, or grape is used, fermentation is one of the most important components involved – otherwise the wine simply would not exist.

So what sort of wines can you drink that are not made from grapes?  Just with a quick search online or at various wineries or other locations that sell and/or make wine, you can discover a wide variety of wines made with apples, peaches, cherries, blackberries, mulberries, and even bananas!  Many fruits, when treated right, can be transformed into a tasty wine.