Posts Tagged ‘Riesling’

Scheurebe is a grape variety that was first developed in Germany in 1956. The Scheurebe variety is the result between a crossing of the Riesling and Sylvaner varieties, two other grapes that do relatively well in German areas of the country. Despite the fact that this grape has been around for over 50 years, it is still grown almost exclusively in Germany. However, it also only represents less than 5% of the vines grown in the country.
 

There have been a very small number of vineyards in Austria that are attempting to grow the Scheurebe variety, and an even smaller number of vineyards in locations such as California and Australia are also seeing what they can do with Scheurebe.
 

Scheurebe wines have a vibrant acidity that works well, giving the wine a crisp style. It is also quite aromatic and very fruity. Many people who have sampled wines made with Scheurebe grapes describe them as having a blackberry-like hint of flavor. The grapes themselves can also be affected by “noble rot,” thus creating an even sweeter wine.

Ice wine is indeed a type of wine, crafted from the strong liquid from naturally frozen grapes. It is a rich and very sweet dessert wine. It is very popular throughout Germany and Austria, though at the present, Canada is overtaking the market for this particular style of wine.

The stories claim that a German winemaker was away from his vineyard when all his grapes ended up frozen right on their vines. Because it happened during harvest, he used them anyway, thus resulting in the very first ice wine.

Typical grapes used for ice wine are Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer, or Vidal. This is because their acidity levels help to keep the final product from being too heavy, or as some might describe it, “sticky.” Many are experimenting with different grapes, however, in order to create something new when it comes to ice wine tastes. When made, the grapes must be frozen on the vine before being squeezed out and taken through the fermentation process.

Expect ice wine to be a little pricier because frozen grapes yield less juice, thus requiring more of them in order to make a single bottle of wine. Ice wine is a great choice for a wine gift.

As always, the idea of wine and cheese is a popular one that isn’t likely to disappear anytime soon. Somehow, wine and cheese have become as inseparable as peanut butter and jelly. So if you need help making a few new pairs, check out this list and see what suits your style and, of course, your taste buds.

Grab cheese from England and see what you think of these. Sharp cheddar works with Cabernet, Rioja, and Sauvignon Blanc, whereas mild cheddar is great with Champagne and Chardonnay. Chesire is a semi-hard cheese that works with Riesling. Wensleydale is a hard cheese that is best with Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay.

If you’re feeling more American, try these. Swiss matches with Gewürztraminer, Teleme with Sauvignon Blanc and Sancerre, Tillamook cheddar with fruity wines (or even dark beer if you’re inclined!), or try some Sonoma Jack with Sauvignon Blanc.

Travel over to Europe and into zesty Spain with Zamarano cheese and drink Rioja, Aged Spanish Sherry, or Sangria with it. Roncal pairs well with Syrah or Tempranillo. Pata Cabra is a semi-soft cheese good with Syrah or Pinot Gris. And Manchego pairs well with Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Merlot.

Choosing the right wine for your wedding doesn’t have to be a trying experience. It is a special occasion and you want everything to be perfect, and that can sometimes translate into agonizing over every little thing. Wine shouldn’t be one of them. Instead, when it comes to wine at a wedding, it’s important to know who is going to drink it – and what they like.

Many couples automatically opt for Champagne because of its association with special occasions. But what if your future spouse isn’t fond of Champagne? Instead, look for wines that can help complement your wedding feast. Trust in wines that tend to go over well due to their popularity, such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, or Cabernet Sauvignon.

In addition to serving wine, you may want to consider some cute wedding wine accessories! From heart-shaped foil cutters to beautiful cork stoppers, a little something fancy can make all the difference. You’ll be sure to find plenty of use for them at home once the wedding is over, too!

White wines are not all created equal.  Certain white wines will remain in the cellar for a long time before they peak and are suitable for drinking.  Others peak rather early, making for a tasty bottle without all of the waiting.  So which bottles are ready to go and which ones need some time alone?

Pinot Grigio needs only a year or so before it’s ready to be poured into your glass.  Though it is important to remember that this does not necessarily mean all Pinot Grigio bottles, it does include a large majority of them.

Chardonnays need only a year or two more than Pinot Grigio.  These tend to include the bottles that don’t cost an arm and a leg; if you spot one of those, it may have remained in the cellar a bit longer.

Grüner Veltliner wine takes things up a notch, needing as much as eight years before its release to the public.

Cru Chablis rolls right off the tongue, however, if you want the wine to roll off your tongue, the wait can be as much as a decade.

At the longest timeframe of twenty or potentially even more years is the Auslese Riesling.  They don’t call Riesling one of the noble grapes for nothing!

The Penedès region of Spain is located in the far northeastern corner, situated in the province of Barcelona and not far from the bustling city itself.  If you ever find yourself in the former Olympic host city, take some time to try the local bottles.  Despite its size of only 26,000, there are actually over 150 vineyards working in the area.  The Penedès region is vastly smaller than the La Mancha region, yet it actually produces more wine per year — a staggering 170 million liters of wine.

Reds made and bottled in this region include Garnacha and Syrah, while whites can include Macabeo and Riesling.  Both red and white wines vary much more than these two examples, with several different types readily made each year for the wine lover’s enjoyment.  The busy city of Barcelona is a large buyer of many of these bottles, and the rest are shipped to sellers both within Spain and far outside its boundaries.

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.

Clare Valley is an area that is a small slice of wine heaven in South Australia.  This region has been developing wine since 1852; the old buildings still standing in the fields act as a testament to the winemaking culture of the area.

However, despite its long history of winemaking, even today the bottles that come from Clare Valley are in limited quantities.  But these wines have a strong flavor with equally strong structure.  Grapes can ripen slowly due to cool breezes and locations related to altitude.  Low humidity and a winter-spring dominant climate also play a vital role in how wine is produced here.

Dozens and dozens of wineries make their homes here and you can find a wide variety of wines to choose from.  Riesling is the most prominent wine of the region and can include delectable elements such as passionfruit and lime with an overall toasty character.  Other wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, and Grenache are also created in Clare Valley with wineries unafraid to perform a few experiments here and there to provide delicious, flavorful wines.