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So, what style of grapes do you like for your wine? Reds ? Whites ? How about dessert styles ? There are so many grapes out there to learn about, here is a list of the simple basic's.
RED'S
Cabernet Sauvignon- hints of ink,bell-pepper,mint/eucalypus,oak,cassis,plummy,tobacco,spice.
Merlot - similar to the cabernet, only softer and smoother. Hints of blueberry,blackberry,oak,spice,and sometimes chocolate character can be found.
Syrah/ Shiraz- a smoky, sometimes meaty wine (fat ),getting it's start from the Rhone Valley of France. It has a spicy pepper taste,and a smokey,blackberry/black raspberry taste. Shiraz is the same grape as the Syrah, Australia has set the 'chic ' name to it,I find Australia's shiraz, to be somewhat sweeter, than other area's.
Sangiovese- a grape coming from Italy's famed Tuscan area. The village of Chianti, seems to be the most popular for this grape. Very juicy dark cherries,plummy as well. Also has a spicy,oak, and sometimes a gamey ( animal ) aroma, intermingled with leather at times. The acidic balance is slightly higher as well !!
Pinot Noir - hints of strawberry,raspberry,cherry,and sometimes cola. It can come off as a jammy fruit, to a watered down light red. A hint of spice and oak, violets, cloves, and creamy vanilla,can also be found, depending on maker's.
Tempranillo- coming from Spain. Rioja is the famed location for this grape. I love this grape, hints of cherry/strawberry,oak,rose pedals,vanilla,tobacco. Older Rioja's have that leathery background to them.
Zinfandel- raspberry, blackberry, sometimes black raspberry, sweet spice,oak, jammy fruit. Keep your eye on the alcohol percentage, it can "wow" you !! This is the grape that gave "white zinfandel " it's fame !! In Italy, the grape is called Primitivo, and it is drier.
Nebbiolo- another classic grape !! Getting it's fame from the area of Barolo, and Barbaresco, in the Piedmont. This grape has the character's of cherry/smoke,perfumed rose's or violets, dry in style. Guess what ? This is another grape that reminds me of Pinot Noir, acidity is somewhat higher in this wine.
Malbec - getting started in Bordeaux, a small area of Cahors, which has always been known for its dark, rustic,tobacco, and earthy overtones. It was mostly blended, to make the finest of bordeaux's. Now, has a popular home in Argentina, this grape is also dark, but softer,hints of oak,and packed with so much juicy berry fruit,deep in color,soft spice,licorice and sweet cocao, wants me begging for more !!
WHITE'S
Chardonnay - oak,spice,apple,pineapple,pear,lemony (citrus),buttery,toast,nutty,vanilla,creamy textured,butterscotch,smokey,minerally.This grape is so complexed, just amazing the amount of character a palate can find in this grape. But the palate will not find all of these, in one sitting.
Sauvignon Blanc/ Fume Blanc - for those who get confused, fume blanc is sauvignon blanc !! hints of melon, grapefruit, citrus,smoke,minerally, fig,vegetal character of peas or asparagus, aromas of fresh cut grass. It is a clean and crisp style . Some can be too citrusy at times !!
Viognier - hints of peaches and apricots, sometimes sometimes exotic, and blossomy. Hints of spice, and sometimes creamy vanilla.
Riesling - clean, crisp,yellow-golden apples,hints of citrus. Sometimes apricot and honey can be detected,comes in styles ranging from dry to sweet.
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris - clean and sometimes spicy,lemon,apple,pear,creamy vanilla, and small touch of oak. It depends what country you taste here. I found some to be nothing more than watered down wine, again, depending where you find them !! I find the best coming from Alsace, France and from Oregon State.
Gewurztraminer - spicy,perfumey,floral,exotic lychee, and peach . Again, produces a dry to sweet style, depending what country you get them from. I feel the best come from Alsace,France. Sometimes having a oily mouthfeel, dry, and acidic at times.
Moscato - this is one of my favorite sweet styles. I enjoy the ones coming from Asti, Italy, called Moscato d'Asti. Why you ask ? It's all about the Frizzante (fizz) !! Characters of apples, pears, apricots,peaches, melons,orange blossoms. Very low in alcohol, sweet and enjoyable .
OK, now you have a list of basic wine grapes and the styles. Let's get started !!
For more information about __The Wine Educator, please contact me by email. I have provided you with these two sites, http://www.winetalkmadesimple.com/ or In2winesjoe@aol.com, please join me, lets understand our palates together !!
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| Wine enthusiasts young and old are invited to visit the Wine Educator website to learn more about grape varietals. | |  |
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