Tag Archives: White
California White Wine – Chardonnay
One of the things I’ve learned already in this adventure of starting a wine club is that many people have tons of questions about grapes and different varietals of wine. In an effort to help educate people and answer some of these basic questions I’ve put together a few basics about some popular wines.
California Chardonnay:
The undisputed queen of the California White Wines, Chardonnay is a popular choice for many reasons.
Tasting Notes:
People generally describe Chardonnay as a crisp clean white wine. You’ll find small fig, citrus, tropical fruit or apple flavors in most bottles. More recently Chardonnay has started to be aged in oak barrels which gives the resulting wine a much deeper oak flavor which can be the strongest of all the flavors in the wine. One common thread with Chardonnay from all over the world, the balance of sugar and acid is outstanding and makes it an entirely drinkable wine for wine lovers and novices alike.
What Grape is It?
Genetic studies show that the grape is actually a cross between the Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc grapes. California Chardonnay is typically grown in cool valleys because the fruit ripens so quickly that producers need to slow the process down in order to keep the alcohol content to a reasonable level.
History of the wine in California:
Although first planted in the 1800’s the grape was nearly forgotten during prohibition when farmers and wine makers were forced to take Chardonnay fields out and replace them with grapes with thicker skins so transport and concealment would be easier. A few patches in more rugged terrain survived, especially in the Santa Cruz mountains and the grape started a full scale comeback in the 1970’s. It is now the stable of the California white wine industry and the most popular white wine in the world.
Important Notes:
Chardonnay is generally thought of as one of the easiest wines to create. In fact many observers of the wine industry feel that any average winemaker can create an outstanding Chardonnay given the growing conditions within California’s cool valleys.
Pricing Structure:
Chardonnay under $ 8 or so per bottle will have some significant issues.
$ 8-$ 20 Typically good balance and complexity, but lacking in oak flavoring.
$ 20-$ 40 Great Chardonnays in this price range
$ 40+ Unless your palate and nose for wine is exceptional, you most likely will not be able to tell the difference between a $ 20 bottle scored at 92 points and a $ 80 bottle scored at 94 points by the major wine critics in the world.
To Sum It Up:
We don’t plan to offer Chardonnay through either of our initial two Uncorked Ventures wine clubs. Frankly you can find many good bottles of Chardonnay at lower price points that are readily available.
Vintage Guide
2007 92 D/H
2006 88 D
2005 94 D/H
2004 91 D
2003 90 D
2002 95 D
2001 96 D
2000 88 D
1999 89 D
1998 85 D
1997 93 D
1996 90 D
1995 91 D
1994 94 D
1993 90 D
1992 92 D
1991 94 D
1990 90 D
RATING:
95-100 Spectacular. Most producers made very good wines at all levels
90-94 Excellent. The best wines should be great. Consistency throughout the vintage.
85-89 Very Good. The best producers made top wines. Inconsistent thru the lower levels.
80-86 Good. Many producers made good wines with some inconsistency at the bottom.
75-79 Middling. Choose your producers carefully. Only the best may have made a top wine.
70-74 Below Average. Tough vintage to make good wines.
Under 70 A Poor vintage. Spend your money very carefully.
STATUS:
D=Drink
D/H=Drink or Hold
H=Hold
I hope this has helped you make an informed decision when buying a bottle of Chardonnay. Just remember, vintage is important with wine.
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Tasting Time: Exploring The Five Secret Australian White Wine – Wine Tasting Time – Food Industry
Tasting time : Exploring the White Australia Wine Five Secrets
HC food industry network Australian white wine Wine So simple that almost anyone can easily place the bottle. But with the following five tips, when necessary against the Australian white wine to new heights.
Australia Chardonnay (Chardonnay) most abundant and rich
“The Sunshine Bottling” (ABottleofSunshine) is the slogan of Australia to promote their wines, this slogan is not only doing my part to give Australia the most representative of the red grape varieties Syrah (Shiraz), but also can be used to describe Australia The most widely planted white varieties of Chardonnay grapes. Australian Chardonnay and Shiraz in Australia, like enjoying the abundant sunshine and warm climate, coupled with almost all winemakers like to use rubber Barrel Aging them to ferment Chardonnay, so most especially in the higher class of Chardonnay has tropical fruit abundance strong fragrance, the same as mango and pineapple fruit, strong and sweet oak to bring the oil-like texture.
Unwooded / Unoaked cool and fresh Few years ago, Australian Chardonnay oak with a strong sense of meet and conquer the U.S. market, when the locals drink too strong white wine that, when he suddenly realized, “Do we want our white wine is more refreshing it? “
Consequently, in Australia there is a different trend in the U.S. market in the United States, after the white wine oak aging Americans will be particularly marked in the wine marked, while in Australia, they have not been particularly marked oak Barrel aging (written for the “Unwooded” or “Unoaked”), means that: “This does not mean wine or low, but this wine make you feel cooler!”
Riesling afraid of acid, then there must be surprises
Australia, a large number of immigrants from Germany, naturally they bring the most pride in the German grape varieties Riesling, sometimes to show their German origin, but also as the “Rhine Riesling” (RhineRiesling ). Although Australia’s climate was warmer than in Germany, does not seem suitable for the cultivation of Riesling, but appropriate for early harvest of this species will allow to maintain the excellent inherent acidity. Australian Riesling fruit as his home in Germany or France Alsace wine more rich, but to wear off the tongue and the structure is really strong and sharp acidity. The total acidity too serious not to drink alcohol at home to challenge about it.
Sauvignon Blanc (SauvignonBlanc), fresh and simple
Reputation of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is more loud than Australia did not expect that from Australia, the species spread in the past will “wall of red.” Of course, this first benefit from the cool climate of New Zealand more than Australia. In Australia, although there are many breweries brewing Sauvignon Blanc, but usually brief light, color, and water is almost the same, with cool pure light grassy acidity. Australian winemakers seem to agree, “Sauvignon Blanc = light Spirit . “
Hunter Valley Semillon (Semillon) quite a lot of vintage ability When the famous British female
Wine Tasting Found a new home JancisRobinson produced by South Wales Hunter Valley Semillon (Semillon) after white wine charm, which was once ignored by many varieties of wine experts, has finally come to prove himself to say: “I can spawn high-end dry Spirit . “Thanks to the Hunter Valley’s unique climate and soil conditions, Semillon lest (Grave) outside the best dry white wine, or even the world’s best single variety Semillon dry white wine. one of the top grade, you will find when you put it 10 years later, it remains fresh and palatable.
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Italian Wine – A Guide to Red and White Italian Wine
There is not one bit of Italy that is incapable of growing grapes. Italy is the 2nd largest wine producing country in the world, just below France. Italy’s geographical characteristics make it ideal to grow every type of grape that the world has to offer. The fact that Italy is so long means wine growing can be grown from the Alps right down to the south end, within sight of Africa. Because Italy is a peninsula country with a long shore line on each side of the country, this creates costal climate growing wine regions. Also because Italy is full of high mountains, and hills, it provides many different altitudes, and types of soils and climate for all types of grape growing.
Italy hosts some of the oldest wine producing regions in the world. Etruscans and Greek settlers began producing wine in Italy before the Romans began developing there own more organised vineyards. When the Romans began making there vineyards they established a larger scale production and storage technique. Italy today is estimated to produce one-fifth of the worlds wine production.
Italian Red Wine
Italy’s red wine is some of the best red wine in the world. Italian red wine is generally full bodied and very dominant. This wine is the perfect to compliment Italy’s rich and wonderful food. In Italy over 60% of its wine grown and produced is red wine. Popular red wines from Italy are:-
Barolo
Chianti
Barbaresco
Bardolino
Brunello di Montalcino
Italian White Wine
Italy’s white wines are less popular than their neighbouring red wine companion. Italy’s white wines are less powerful than the red wines they tend to be more crisp, soft and acidic. These wines are also great with food, and Italy’s white wine is said to accompany food without overpower it. Italy’s white wine which is made from the worlds popular white wine grapes tends to be of a different taste. These wines tend to be richer when grown in Italy’s soils. Popular white wines from Italy are:-
Pinot Grigio
Soave
Gavi
Orvieto
Verdicchio
Arneis
Italian Chardonnay
Asti
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White Wine Recipes: White Wine For Newbies
White wine is widely known for being a very sensual and stylish alcoholic drink. It is mostly accessible in yellow or golden color. White wine is widely appreciated all across the world because of its scrumptious taste. You may anytime pair white wine with white meat to make an easy meal looks tasty. Don’t know anything about white wine? We can fix that.
White wine, as opposed to its name, is not always in white color. Actually, white wine is always made by utilizing components like gold and green grapes skin and juices. The drink usually gets its color from the grape skins. Through the fermentation process, the grape skin generally acts in a way to diffuse certain color in drink. Each wine has a particular color, which depends upon the grape used as well as the length of your time the skin’s pigmentation is in touch with the juice (that’s why red wines are redder when the skin is fermented with the juice longer). You will find some types of Champagnes that are manufactured from a number of the chosen black grapes or red grapes.
Turn to white wine for a light dinner, or even a picnic at the beach. It is more refreshing and lighter tasting than that regarding a bold red wine, making it wonderful for spring and summer times. Further, this dry alcoholic drink often tastes very sweet. As a result of a light consistency and odor, white wine is better when served along with light foods.
For serving, use narrower glass for drinking. Further, you should not have to breathe white wine in a much same method as you need to do with red wine. It is actually better to serve this alcoholic drink at fifty degrees Fahrenheit. By doing this you may also be capable to taste the alcoholic portion of this drink. Why serve it cold? The colder the temperature, the less tart, sweet and aromatic it seems. Wine strives on three basics: sugar, acid (which your tongue tastes), and aromatics. The aroma should disperse right away after opening the bottled. Then, you have to stay away from chilling the white wine so as to destroy the flavor of the drink. So, basically in no way chill the wine in case you are planning to enjoy its bold alcoholic flavor.
There are two main reason that produces the white wine more refreshing than any other forms of wines. First, when you drink the wine and it comes into contact with your tongue, the sourness makes you salivate, making you want more. Second, since the wine is frozen. So, if you don’t want a refreshing white wine, don’t chill it.
So, just follow these above mentioned pointers if you were about to taste the white wine for the initial time. These techniques may even help you out in enhancing the alcoholic flavor. Remember to drink safely and sensibly.
For additional information on white wine recipes please visit white wine recipes. You can also have a peek at some fantastic red wine recipes by clicking red wine.
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Types of White Wines
White wine owes its light coloring to the color of the grape used-golden, green, and white being the most common. However, some wineries produce white wine by using only the flesh of a red grape. White wine usually accompanies lighter meals and often pairs well with light meat or seafood.
Generally speaking, white wine has eight different varietals; these are often called “The Big Eight.” These are: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Sémillon, Viognier, and Chenin Blanc. All of these wines take their name from the type of grape used in their production.
Chardonnay is the number one selling white wine varietal in America, and is extremely versatile in its pairings. Most Chardonnays come from either California or France. People often describe the flavor as “buttery” with a fruity impression. The Loire Valley in France produces most of the Chenin Blanc on the market, although vineyards in California and Argentina also produce this varietal. Its flavor and acidity can vary wildly depending upon the time of the grape harvest.
Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio comes in two distinct types: Italian and French. The Italian version tends to be less full-bodied than that produced in other countries. Gewürztraminer, coming from a German root word indicating spiciness, pairs well with Asian foods and can have a rose-like flavor. It is produced in a variety of countries.
Riesling wines are known for their versatility; they can be paired with almost anything. The dryness of the wine is often indicated in German on the bottle. New Zealand and France are the major producers of Sauvignon Blanc wine, and the difference in geography shows in the wide variety of flavors that a Sauvignon Blanc wine can display.
Sémillon and Viognier are lesser-known varietals that hail from specific regions of France: the Sémillon grape often is grown in Bordeaux and Côtes de Gascoigne, and the Viognier in the northern Rhône regions. These grapes often figure in blends, and so, as stand-alone wines, they are much more rare and more expensive.