Today's Wine Com Article

Understanding Wine Grapes

You will find that one of the easiest ways to get to know your way around wine flavors is through grape varieties. Each grape variety has specific characteristics. In some regions, one grape variety is used to make a wine; in others, winemakers blend several varieties in a single wine. To help you identify grape varieties, below is an overview of each of the major red grapes and their characteristics.

You will find that one of the easiest ways to get to know your way around wine flavors is through grape varieties. Each grape variety has specific characteristics. In some regions, one grape variety is used to make a wine; in others, winemakers blend several varieties in a single wine. To help you identify grape varieties, below is an overview of each of the major red grapes and their characteristics.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the big daddy of the red wine world. It is like the Chardonnay, as it is widely planted and distributed. The result of this is that there are so many versions of this grape. Many people think of Cabernet Sauvignon as being a wine that needs to age, but that is only because the best red Bordeaux need age. Most non-premium varieties are ready to go right away.
Under ideal conditions, it produces an aromatic, tannic wine that ages and evolves to be both elegant and powerful. Perfectly balanced Bordeaux is one that has classic notes of black-currants, cedar, cigar boxes, pencils, mint and dark chocolate. Sounds delicious!

Gamay
For the most part, you will find Gamay produced as Beaujolais. It mainly grows on the hills in south Burgundy. The aroma of a young Gamay is described as a wave of cherry and strawberry fruit. On the palate, Gamay wines are bright and crisp. They are moderate in alcohol and have very little tannin. Wines from Gamay grapes are ideal for all kinds of foods.

Merlot
Merlot started out as a Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux and has risen to international popularity. The great wines of Pomerol and St. Emilion in Bordeaux are based on Merlot with Cabernet in the blend. These wines show Merlot at its toughest and most intense. Merlots popularity is because it is softer, fruiter, and earlier maturing than Cabernet Sauvignon and displays some of the same aromas along with mint, and tobacco. In general, drink Merlot young.

Pinot Noir
At its best Pinot Noir is beautiful with a seductive silky texture and at its worst, it is heavy or flat. A good mature Pinot Noir has complex flavors of strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, violets, all-spice, tobacco and hay. Pinot Noir is relatively low in tannin and acidity and needs a cool climate to grow. Too much warmth, Pinot Noir can develop baked together flavors, losing its elegance.

Sangiovese
A taste of Sangiovese and you will immediately conjure images of Italy. The name of the grape may not seem familiar, but it is the principal variety behind Chianti, Italys most famous red wine. It is taken very seriously in Tuscany, and you will find it in California, Australia, and Argentina. It is naturally tannic and is best used in a blend, usually with Cabernet Sauvignon. It requires a hot climate in order to produce its required richness and alcohol content. In cooler climates, it tends to have sharp and bitter tannins.

Syrah
Called Shiraz in Australia and South Africa, Syrah is one of the greats of southeastern France's Rhone Valley grape. At home in France, it produces wines that are smoky, herby, and austere. Australian Shiraz tends to be richer, softer with a leathery quality and personally one of my favorites. All Syrah/Shiraz need a year or two from the vintage to hit its stride. Top wines will last about ten years.

Zinfandel
It is disputable where this grape originated, but it is indisputably California's grape today, with almost no winemakers in other places producing it. The best Zinfandel is spicy and heartwarming. Other styles range from off white to high intensity sweet wines. Try a bottle not more than three or four years old, because that's when the Zinfandel character is strongest.

Contributor: Stuart Glasure [Designer, Fashion Artist, Creator: "Zany Wearables", Wine Enthusiast]
www.ZanyGiftware.com
www.WineDefinitions.com

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Understanding Wine Grapes


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Wine and Cheese Gifts

The combination of wine and cheese has been around for many years now and is loved by almost everyone. In fact, it is considered to be the classic pair by many wine enthusiasts. It may sound surprising to some but for every kind of wine, a specific kind of cheese is preferred as an accompaniment. Some of the all time favorite combinations are mentioned below.

For Champagne, some of the ideal kinds of cheese are Irish Cheddar, French Brie and Chaource. P'tit Basque, Gruyere de Comt?, and Explorateur are some of the kinds of cheese considered to be ideal to accompany Chardonnay. With Merlot, cheese such as Monte Veronese, Spanish cheese and Manchego are enjoyed. Blythedale Camembert, Cocoa Cardona, Le Marechal and French cheese are liked with Pinot Noir. With Port, some of the kinds of popular cheese are English Cheddar, Cabrales and Agour Ossau-Iraty. Riesling is best accompanied by San Simon, Emmental and Muravera, among others. For Zinfandel, cheese such as Fiscalini Bandaged Wrapped Cheddar, Vella Special Select Dry Monterey Jack and Moulin Bleu Goat Cheese are considered to be perfect. Sauvignon Blanc is thought to be best accompanied by Buche de Chevre, Pecorino Toscano, and Fontina Val d'Aosta and Italian cheese.

One can even gift a variety of cheese boards to wine lovers, as they can be of much use to those who prefer to have some kind of cheese with their wines. Cheese boards are available in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Many cheese boards also come with special cheese knives which are made as per the design or color of the board itself. Generally, cheese boards are differentiated according to the wine, which they are intended for. There are Champagne cheese boards, Chardonnay cheese boards, Merlot cheese boards, Pinot Noir cheese boards, Port cheese boards, Riesling cheese boards, Zinfandel cheese boards and Sauvignon Blanc cheese boards, among many others.

Wine and cheese gift baskets are considered to be ideal gifts as they are suited for all types of occasions, be it anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving or a wedding.

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