Tag Archives: Grapes
French Wine Regions and Grapes
Many people find French wines “confusing” and have stayed safe with wines with English labels. They have therefore missed these beautiful wines of France.
The confusion over French wines, specifically French wine labels is understandable. After all, there’s the language barrier – all those French words! In addition, most French wines – except some from Alsace, are labeled and named by the region, not by the grape.
Unless you have some basic knowledge about the French wine regions and their grapes, you would not know how to choose a bottle of French wine, and what to expect in the bottle. Having the knowledge of the French wine regions, the grapes, styles & quality of the wine is information built over time. However, this article offers descriptions of the major French wine regions and the main grapes in each region, to help you enter the world of the French wines.
Being familiar with the regions and their major grapes would help you recognize the regions on the French wine label you see next time.
Clockwise from the top right corner of the map of France, the wine regions are Alsace, Burgundy, the Rhone Valley, Province, Languedoc-Rousillon, Bordeaux, and the Loire Valley.
Many wines from Alsace for non-French wine drinkers are probably the most user-friendly for the reason that the wine labels tell you the grape variety in the wine. Alsace makes all white wines, except those from Pinot Noir. The white grapes of Alsace are Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner.
Burgundy (French “Bourgogne”) is the land of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The Rhone Valley is really divided into Northern Rhone and Southern Rhone since the grapes and the styles of wines are different. In Northern Rhone, the white wines are made from the fragrant Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, while the red wines are made from the inky dark Syrah. In Southern Rhone, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and indigenous grapes make the white wines, while Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and indigenous grapes make the red wines.
In Province (French “Provence”), it wouldn’t be surprising if the wine has lavender aroma! The red grape Cinsault makes rosé wines. Another red grape, Grenache makes both rosé and dry red wines. The other red grapes for dry red wine blends are Mourvedre and Syrah.
In Languedoc-Rousillon, you’ll find all the grapes from Province, except Cinsault, and adding Carignan and some Bordeaux grape varieties.
Next comes to Bordeaux and its wines that is loved by everybody. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the white grape here. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec are the red grapes in Bordeaux.
Last but not the least is the Garden of France, the Loire Valley, with red grapes of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Gamay, and white grapes of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne.
Another fact to bear in mind is many French wines are not single varietal wines, and instead are blends of local grapes.
Pick up a French wine next time and look for the region. You have now taken the first step into the French Wine World. Welcome!
Wine Making Grapes
Wines are typically made from 100% grape juice. There are many varieties of wine making grapes and several components come into play that dictate the final wine produced.
The Grape
The type of grape from which the wine is made will greatly reflect in the finished product. The vine-ripened grapes contain natural sugars which are converted into alcohol. If you are growing your own grapes for wine making, it is important to make sure that the grapes are not just ripe, but mature, before picking, and then to store them in cool, dry conditions.
The grape skins contain most of the flavor and all of the color. The larger the grape, the less skin proportionately, but the more juice there is. This is fine for a light wine, but smaller grapes with proportionately more skin, will produce a much richer color and a more concentrated flavor.
The varieties of grapes you choose for making your wine will depend on the kind of wine you want to make, or the type of grapes you can obtain if you don’t grow your own. There are a few “noble” grapes which are most popular. For red wine, the favorite red wine making grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Barbera. The most popular of white wine grapes are Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer. White wine grapes are younger and contain more acidity which delivers the tarter taste in most white wines.
The Climate
Where the grapes are grown will also have an impact on the resulting wines taste. These are the two main factors: Warm and sunny weather will produce a ripe, sweet flavorful grape. Cloudy and cool weather will give you a less ripened young, tart grape.
The Soil
A well drained soil is best in growing a strong grape vine. This forces the roots to dig deeper for moisture. The acidity in the soil will also shape the taste of the grape. Vineyards are usually planted in a sloping area to provide drainage and insulation from the weather. In cooler climates, the vines are planted closer together and trained low to conserve the heat of the day. .In warmer climates the opposite is true. The vines are planted further apart and trained high to give shade and disperse the heat. They are also spaced further apart to allow for better drainage.
Red Wines
Red Wines are normally classified by the type or variety of grape used in their making.
If only one variety of grape is used, the wine is labeled varietal and named after the grape type with a capital inserted. Quite often, more than one type of grape variety is used in a wine and the names of these would be included on the label.
Different varieties of grape bring their individual taste to a wine, and the art of the winemaker is to blend these different tastes to produce a pleasing result.
Cabernet Sauvignon
This is widely accepted as one of the world’s best varieties that can produce long-lived wines of great subtlety. Cabernet Sauvignon is often aged in oak barrels before being bottled. This reduces the acerbic qualities of the wine and imparts flavors from the wood to bring about a meld of tastes and complexity in the final wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon is rich in tannins. The grape produces a deep, full-bodied wine that delivers the taste of blackberry, black cherry, bell pepper, hints of wood, tobacco and leather.
Cabernet Sauvignon is grown primarily in France, Australia, California, South Africa, Hungary and Chile.
Sangiovese or Chianti
From Italys Tuscany region, this grape is famous for its full dry character and robust spiciness. Delivers the flavor of cherries, blackberries and plums. This wine has very distinctive flavors.
Merlot
Merlots offer the same full-bodied flavor as Cabernet but delivers a softer balance of fruity and spicy flavors with a smooth, supple texture. It is less tannic than Cabernet Suavignon and typically does not require such long aging.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is recognized as one of the noblest varieties of red grape and the main ingredient of fine Burgundy wines, renowned for their delicate and complex flavors. The variety is not always easy to grow. The taste of Pinot Noir has been described as being of raspberries, strawberries, cherries, or plums, with hints of leather and damp earth. Pinot Noir offers a paler color and earthy aromas. This light perfumed red is not always immediately appreciated by newcomers to wine drinking.
Syrah (Shiraz)
Full. dark, tannic wine that has a strong, bold fruit flavors of black and red berries and leaves a spicy softness that leaves a distinctive taste in your mouth.
Zinfandel
This variety of grape seems to be grown almost exclusively in California. It is used to make red wines and also used to make rose or blush wines. This grape variety produces a light or richer red, with berry flavors and a peppery hint.
Barbera
The Barbera grape is another classic red wine producing variety from Italy. It is similar to Merlot is many respects and is a light wine suitable for everyday drinking. It has a juicy, black cherry or plum flavor.
These varieties of red wine grapes are those we most frequently come across, and which make up the bulk of most of the red wine drunk today. Individually, or blended, they produce red wines ranging from light, easy-drinking styles to be consumed when young, to more robust complex wines which only give of their best after years in barrel or bottle allowing their flavors to develop.
White wines
Like red wines, white wine can be classified by their grape variety. If only one type of grape is used then the wine is called a varietal, and the name is mentioned on the label. Sometimes more than one grape is used and the individual varieties are mentioned on the label. White wines can be either dry or sweet. These are the most popular white wines. There are many white grape varieties, but here are the names you will recognize quickly.
Chardonnay
The chardonnay grape originated in the Burgundy region of France, where it is still grown, producing a variety of different tasting white wines. The chardonnay grape is used to make still and sparkling wines, the most notable being champagne. The flavor and color of a chardonnay wine can vary depending on whether or not it has had contact with wood, usually oak. A well balanced grape that offers tropical, citrus aromas and flavors, with a hint of melon and vanilla. Fermenting in oak barrels adds a buttery texture and taste, plus a darker color. The fruity quality of the grape shines through and lingers to a long, crisp finish.
Riesling
The Riesling grape is the classic German variety of the Rhine and Mostel regions. These are aromatic, light wines often with balanced acidity. These can range from sweet to very dry. Grapes from the Alsace and Eastern part of the United States are somewhat drier. Rieslings deliver the flavor of green apple, peach, tangerine and honeysuckle, drinkable with or without a meal. The taste can vary depending on where the grape was grown and the method of production.
Gewurztraminer
True to its German translation: spicy. Deep color and aromatic – this wine delivers a crisp, lush refreshing taste that is a pleasure to drink on its own. It is slightly dry but with a flavor that encompasses elements of peaches and other fruits, plus the hint of spice.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is of the French origin and grown mainly in the region of Bordeaux, where it is often blended with Semillon to produce a crisp, grassy white wine. This wine making grape is usually young and fresh, producing a wine with high acidity and herbal aromas. Sharp, green flavors can include grapefruit, lemon peel, pear and green herbs. Sometimes there are overtones of melon, mango and even black current.
Semillon
Semillon is grown in the Bordeaux region of France, and also in Chile, Argentina, Australia and California. The typical taste is fig-like and berry-like, and in some regions overripe Semillon grapes are often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to produce a more even, acceptable taste. This creates a sweet, syrupy, full-bodied wine that is yellow in color and has an intense flavor
Red Wine Grapes Guide
Have you ever wondered what kind of grapes go in to the wine you drink? There are several types of grapes grown in all different climates and parts of the world. Cabernet franc, Chenin blanc, and Dolcetto are just a few of the types of grapes used for making red wine. Over the next few minutes you will get some insight into the wonderful world of red wine.
The Syrah grape, the Australians know this grape as a Shiraz, this grape is used for a more fancy lighter, fruity wine. Syrah is grown in France this grape produces a full bodied dark colored wine full of Tannin. You may be asking what Tannin is; Tannin is the “feeling” of a dry wine. Better to be explained by biting into a grape seed or even a banana peal and tasting the dry or bitter taste.
The Tannin level is determined by how long the grape stays in full tact with the stem, seed, and skin, the longer intact the more robust the Tannin. On the opposite end of the spectrum with very minimal Tannin is the Pinot Noir, the wine made by using this grape is harder to find.
The Pinot Noir is generally aged in oak barrels to encourage the taste and help bring more tannin into the wine. Merlot is a type of wine people are more familiar with. Merlot often takes on the taste of prunes or even chocolate also very low in Tannins. A Zinfandel can also be red, this is one of the oldest grapes to be grown n California. A red zinfandel is very rich and colorful also the alcohol content is high.
There are so many types of grapes grown to make red wines. Some wine is high in Tannin and some are very low. Now that you know what makes your wine taste the way it does invite all your friends over and make a toast
The Short History of Malbec Wine Grapes
Geography and History
Malbec wine is in popularity for last forty years.
The major cause is the name. It is known under many diverse names which Malbec wine is at France means too little. Oxford Companion for Wine lists few 400 synonyms for the Malbec so it should have been very popular at certain stage. But now it is known as the minor blending varieties.
Another nail at coffin for the French Malbec came along with disastrous frosts during 1956. This provided the perfect excuse for re-planting some fashionable & robust varieties. But it isn’t all bad as well. Malbec is a dominant red varietal at Cahors region. Appellation Controlee systems for Cahors requires minimum content of seventy percent Malbec in wines created from an area.
Only historic reference to Malbec shows that it’s coming from surname of Hungarian peasant who 1st spread the variety all over France and further afield. During 1869 Professor Poet introduced the Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot cutting from Bordeaux till Argentina. In a warm & dry Southern American climate it flourish & soon thriving all over. Argentina & Chile. Ironically, Argentina ‘vine pull’ program at 1980’s left 11,000 acres of the Malbec in a ground. That is now back till 26,000 acres producing astonishing rich, complex, ink wines with smoother tannins & ripeness Europe may only dream about. In contrast, these 25 thousand acres with roughly 150 thousand acres of the Malbec in ground prior to ‘vine pull’ & you may better appreciate certain loss.
Chile appears to have escaped madness & it is now Chile’s 3rd most largely planted variety. On contrast Australia have just 1,230 acres of the Malbec in a ground at 2002 & that region has been lessening over the years.
1st mention of the Malbec in Australia arrives from 1901 where Himmelhoch establishes his own ‘Grodno’ vineyard in Liverpool nearby Sydney planted to Malbec and Shiraz.
As most famous grapes, Malbec moves under most different names however these are more commonly used when compared to others. In Bordeaux it is known as the Pessac or Cot, in French Alsace & Cahors regions it is called as Argentina, Auxerrois gives it a name of the Fer, Portugal refers that as Tinta Amarela & here at Australia we call it as Portugal Malbec.
Wine Characteristics
The major aromas from rich Malbec includes: cherry, plum, coffee, chocolate, raisins, leather & raspberry.
A key flavors which nice Malbec exhibits includes: plum, cherry, dried fruits, chocolate, and balsamic.
Aging at oak releases vanilla aromas & flavors.