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Regional Wines |
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About Wine |
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WHAT ARE A VARIETAL WINES? |
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A
varietal
wine is
simply a
wine
that
uses the
name of
the
dominant
grape
from
which it
was made
from,
such as
a
Cabernet
Sauvignon
or
Chardonnay.
There
are
rules in
most
areas
that
must be
adhered
to in
order to
call a
wine a
varietal.
For
example,
in the
United
States
at least
75% of
the wine
must
come
from the
grape
variety
named on
the
label,
while in
Australia
it's
80%. |
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Chardonnay
Just as
Cabernet
Sauvignon
has
become
the most
popular
high
quality
red wine
grape,
Chardonnay
has
taken
the lead
for
first
class
white
wine
grapes.
Some
argue
that the
Riesling
grape
produces
the
finest
white
wine,
it's
Chardonnay
that is
being
extensively
planted
throughout
the
world.
In
addition
to being
highly
prized,
Chardonnay
is easy
to grow
and
quite
versatile.
The wide
range of
growing
soils,
as well
as the
winemakers
influence
produces
a
diverse
spectrum
of
Chardonnay
wines
with
varying
characteristics.
Their
flavors
can be
described
as
buttery,
creamy,
nutty,
smoky,
and
steely.
The
popular
fruit
descriptors
are
appley,
lemon,
melon,
and
pineapple.
Chardonnay
is also
an
important
grape in
the
CHAMPAGNE
district
of
France
where it
is
picked
before
fully
ripe
while it
still
has high
acid and
understated
fruit
flavors,
which is
perfect
for
making
champagne. |
| |
Chening Blanc
Most of
the
Chenin
Blancs
produced
around
the
world do
not
compare
to the
quality
of the
top
French
efforts,
particularly
those
grown in
hotter
growing
areas,
which
produce
grapes
that are
much
more
neutral
and much
less
exciting.
Wines
from
cooler
regions
can be
well
balanced
with
delicate,
floral
characteristics
and
hints of
melon.
Because
of the
grape's
high
acid
content,
Chenin
Blanc
Wines
outside
of the
France
are
often
combined
with
other
wines in
order to
cut
Chenin
Blanc's
sharpness
and
enliven
the
final
blend.
Chenin
Blanc
can be
picked
as a
late
harvest
to make
dessert
wines.
In the
U.S.
Chenin
Blanc is
often
used to
make
bulk
wine. |
| |
Riesling
Riesling
is
considered
to be
one of
the
World's
best
white
wine
grapes
and
produces
some of
the very
best
white
wines.
It's
native
to
Germany,
where
it's
believed
to have
been
cultivated
for at
least
500
years
and
possibly
for over
2000
years.
The
Riesling
grape's
ability
to
maintain
a high
acid
content
as well
as high
sugar
levels
is what
creates
wines
with
considerable
aging
potential.
Riesling
wines
are
delicate
but
complex
and
are
characterized
by a
spicy,
fruity
flavor
(that's
sometimes
reminiscent
to
peaches
and
apricots),
a
flower-scented
bouquet,
and long
finish.
Riesling
is
vinified
in a
variety
of
styles
ranging
from dry
to very
sweet. |
| |
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon
Blanc is
a white
wine
grape
that is
widely
cultivated
in
France
and the
United
States.
Sauvignon
Blanc
wines
have
noticeable
acidity
and a
grassy,
herbaceous
aroma
and
flavor.
They are
crisp
flavorful
wines
made
from
100%
Sauvignon
Blanc
grapes
and are
produced
in Loire
Valley
at
Sancerre
and
Pouilly-Fume.
In
California,
Robert
Mondavi
gave
this
Variety
a push
when it
introduced
an
oaky-styled
Sauvignon
Blanc
Varietal
Wine
he
called
Fume
Blanc.
Now the
second
best-selling
varietal
in
California
after
Chardonnay,
Sauvignon
Blanc
wines
are made
in a
variety
of
additional
styles
from
those
that are
crisp
and
unoaked
to
Semilon
blends.
This
grape is
also
known as
Blanc
Fume,
Sauvignon
Jaune,
and
Sauvignon
Musque. |
| |
Gewurtraminer
Cultivated
for over
a
thousand
years,
this
white
wine
grape is
thought
to have
originated
in the
village
of
Tramin
(or
Temeno)
in
Italy's
Alto
Adige
region.
Although
this
variety
is not
now
widely
planted
in
Alto
Adige,
some
of the
better
Gewurztraminer
wines
still
come
from
that
region.
They are
highly
fragrant,
with
characteristics
of
Litchis,
roses
(or
flowers
in
general),
and
spice
such as
cloves
and
nutmeg.
Gewurztraminer
wines
are
available
in
varying
degrees
of
sweetness
from dry
to
medium
sweet or
late
harvest
(dessert
wines). |
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