Posts Tagged ‘grape varieties’

The Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita is Italy’s premiere wine classification group.  Many winemaking areas have their own form of classification, a particular group that carefully selects wines in the area and gives them a specific ranking.  The higher the ranking, the better the wine.  There are very strict rules that permit the production of a DOCG wine, from the winemaking techniques to the grape varieties.  The DOCG is so careful about their selections and guidelines that “Garantita” actually translates to “guarantee.”

In fact, wines produced under the DOCG guidelines must go through a government-approved tasting procedure before they can be bottled and eventually sold.  Alcohol content, additions during winemaking, and other aspects are closely monitored.  As of February 2010, the DOCG had 48 wines 0n their list, even though every wine region within the country is not represented.

There are some disputes about certain wines in the DOCG list, but only the DOCG can change what wines are present and whether or not they will remain there.

Grapes are a unique fruit in their power to create some of the most sought-after drinks in the history of mankind, and even today.  There are more than 600 grape varieties in existence; however, only a select handful of them are used to create everything from wonderfully dry white wines to deep, luscious reds.  Each grape is utilized for its varying characteristics.  These characteristics are almost like a grape’s fingerprint: skin thickness, acidity, color, size, yield per vine, and, of course, flavor.  Many grapes can include some of their surroundings when it comes to flavor, influenced by the soil they grow in and the plants around them.

Particular grapes are considered “noble grape varieties” because of their distinctive flavors.  However, in order to obtain a truly noble grape, they must be grown in the right sort of micro-climate and utilize specific winemaking techniques to bring them to their full potential.  Sometimes learning about the grapes that made the wine and where they were grown can help you determine which wines you will enjoy over others.