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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, anyone can get lost with the amount of grapes out there. So, I made a list of the simple basic's. And remember, this list is about the character found in wine, you may not taste all of them.
RED'S
Cabernet Sauvignon- hints of oak,cassis,ink,bell-pepper,mint/eucalypus,plummy,blackberry,tannic,tobacco,chocolate, and spice.
Merlot - similar to the cabernet,only softer and smoother, it can be tannic at times. 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,somewhat gamey taste,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 juicier,fruitier,and 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. However, sangiovese is grown all over Tuscany. Very juicy dark cherries,plummy as well. Also has a spicy,oak, and sometimes a gamey ( animal ) aroma, intermingled with leather at times. Sometimes 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,dry in style. Older Rioja's have that leathery background to them. Other countries are now growing it as well.
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 slightly 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,plums,perfumed rose's or violets, dry in style. This grape that reminds me of Pinot Noir, acidity is somewhat higher in this wine.
Malbec - getting it start in Southern Bordeaux, near 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, and California Meritages or Red Blends. Now, has a popular home in Argentina, all by itself ! 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, at times, it wants me begging for more !!
WHITE'S
Chardonnay - oak,spice,apple,pineapple,pear,lemony (citrus),buttery,toast,nutty,vanilla,creamy textured,butterscotch,caramel,smokey,and 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 (lemony),smoke,minerally, fig,vegetal, character of peas, green peppar,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. It is a medium-dry style.
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 - very clean and sometimes spicy,lemon,apple,pear,creamy vanilla, and a very small touch of oak. It depends what country you taste here. I found some to be nothing more than watered down wines, again, depending where you find them !! I find the best coming from Alsace, France and from Oregon State, where they are somewhat complexed and better quality.
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. It's all about the Frizzante ! 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 !! Want to learn more ?
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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