Cabernet Sauvigon:
Red/black grapes that have their origin in the Bordeaux region of France. Medium to full mouth watering body with flavors that can be outstanding! Spice, chocolate, mint, peppers, cassis or dark cherries. Cabernet grape vines from adolescent vines can be tannic, tart, light in color, have a watery finish or be astringent . This can also happen to Cabernet that is sent to market early, not allowing for maturity durring the fermentation process. Grapes also take the flavor of the vessel that contains the grape durring fermentation. Aged Cabernet and mature vines can have a simular taste but softer, more supple and could have a long” back of the throat” finish of many flavors. None of this would amount to a good wine if the growing season did not cooperate. The combination of the right rain fall, the soil, PH, sunshine, lack of pests and trimming are the precursors to a fair wine and one that lingers in your mind forever.
Merlot:
The original Bordeaux grape from France that was used for blending with Cabernet to enhance and soften the finish. However, Merlot has come into it’s own because of mature vines. Usually it’s a medium bodied grape, but, todays Merlots can be rich, full bodied and have a long finish. What used to be an inexpensive wine can now retail for hundreds of dollars. I recommend The Howel Mountain Merlot from Beringer or Metanza Creek Merlot.
Pinot Noir:
The Noble Grape fromChampagne in the Burgundy. Ranging from rich, velvety, medium bodied, to fruity quaffing wine. Common nuances are fruity fragrants. The pulp of the Pinot Noir is often used for the making of Champagne.The Pinot gained popularity when a story line in a movie brought it to the surface, Sideways? Paul Giancono was the star along with one of the doctors, Wang?, in the series Grey’s Anatomy. To me, the education about Pinot Noir was what made the movie. But that’s me! You know, mrvinerack.com
Zinfandel:
California claims the origin of this “hardy” grape. Say it as if you are Capt. Morgan. The flavor ranges from intense berries, spice and pepper to even more intence. I love this grape! The Zinfandel grape has been mistaken as a ”blush” wine called “White Zin.” Only recently do people know that there is no grape called White Zinfandel. Only the pulp beneath of the red skin of the Zinfandel grape is used in the making of this blush wine. Add a little more skin to the batch and you get a deeper blush. A suggestion is to find a Zinfadel you enjoy. That vineyard will probably produce a hardy White Zin. My suggestion is look for Zins that come from the Amador County Region of California.
GamayBeaujolais:
An easy drinking French red wine made from the Beaujolais regionwhere Gamay grapes are grown. Fresh, light and fruity these wines can be good on hot days outdoors. I see people add ice to their Gamay. Sometime before Thanskgiving, Beaujolais is exportedto the U.S., bottled in France right after the harvest and quickly and presented to the US market. This became a big deal in the nineties. I am not a wine snob, however, I have yet had a Beaujolais Nouveau that I would recommend. I can make that statement because I owned a liquor store and was afforded the privilage of sampling several. I have not tasted a B.N. in many years. Maybe their good…now.
Chardonnay:
The leader in the white grape catagory. The origin of Chardonnay is France, in the Champagne, Chablis Burgundy region. Because of it’s popularity, every vineyard does it’s best to grow Chardonnay in every part of the world that can support a growing season. This sometimes leads to outstanding vintages that are remarkable and could top out at very high retail. Some Chardonnays become rare or are made in small boutique quantities. This really drives price. Chardonnay flavors, like other grapes, take their flavor from the soil. Chardonnay can be very crisp, tart or buttery smooth. It depends again on the soil and the growing season. An excellant Chard will melt in your mouth, be rich in it’s straw like color and seem to last forever at the finish. The better the Chardonnay, the better the Champagne.
Sauvignon Blanc:
This white grape is from the Loire Valley, Pouilly Fume and Graves with in the Bordeaux Region of France. Most styles are very crisp and clean. Some finishes are very delicate or non-existent, fruity and short lived. That might be what you want if your are also enjoying cheeses or deserts. This wine is complements the first course of the meal; with salad. To understand these flavor terms, taste the grapes as they are presented, on the shelf of your wine and spirit store. Be assured, even the least expensive wines try to become your favorite.
Chenin Blanc:
A lush, fruity, crisp white grape that has a touch of sweetness. This could be the wine that sets the course to investigating other varietals. It’s origins are also from the Loire Valley and is often called “Vouvray”. The town which grows the grape. Wines from France will name the grape from the town from which it was grown. Chablis is a very well known town in France, not a jug wine.
Riesling:
The traditional white grape from the Rhein River Valley in Germany. These are areas of Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, The Rheingau and Rheinhessen. The grapes grown are Muller-Thurgau, Riesling and Sylvaner. Flavors can be some what tricky because the growong season is short and the climate can be harsh, sometimes blowing the top soil away. German wines continue to excel! German wines have a lower alcohol content, but make it up in flavor. There is abundant fruitiness with a luscious balanced of sweetness and acidity. If you like your wines sweet, try a late harvest Riesling. You will not be disappointed.
Gewurztraminer:
Grown where Germany and France share the border, this exceptional grape is typically refreshingly sweet with a somewhat spicy character. Vintages can be dry, crisp , sweet, full bodied and still be a treat.
This has been another Blog from the heart and soul of this little old wine rack maker, Larry Stern AKA, mrvinerack.com
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