Taste of the Grape | Red Wine Grape Varieties
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The Taste of the Grape - Red Wine Grape Varieties
Understanding Red Wine Grapes
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 needs to 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. Merlot's popularity comes from its softness, fruitiness, and earlier maturing than Cabernet Sauvignon and yet 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, Italy's 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stuart Glasure [Designer, Fashion Artist, Creator: www.WineDefinitions.com. Article source: Articles Factory
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