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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Tannat
Tannat 🍷 Photo by Doris Schneider on Wikimedia Commons The Tannat ( tahn-naht ) grape originated in the Madiran region of South West France, where it has been grown for centuries. In the late 19th century, Basque immigrants carried the vine to Uruguay. Today, Tannat is the national signature grape of Uruguay, thriving in its coastal climate and producing softer styles of wine than its French counterparts. It is also grown in smaller amounts in places like California, Virginia, and Australia. Tannt’s name comes from the local French word for "tanned," referencing both its dark skin color. Wines made from Tannat will have aromas and flavors like blackberries, dark plums, and black currants. Additionally, there may be hints of dark chocolate, licorice, spices, and smoke. Because it naturally contains a very high amount of seed and skin compounds called tannins, the wine can feel quite drying in your mouth when it is young. This high amount of tannins gives Tannat an exceptional ability t
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Behind the Cork™ - Montes Alpha Syrah
2022 Montes Alpha Syrah ($24.99) Montes — officially Viña Montes — was founded in 1987 by four partners with extensive experience in winemaking and viticulture: Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre, and Pedro Grand. Their founding goal was bold and transformative: to craft premium-quality wines at a time when Chile was largely known for high-volume, inexpensive wine production rather than world-class bottles. Montes didn’t just make great wine — it rewrote the story of Chilean viticulture. By insisting on premium quality, exploring new terroirs, innovating in both vineyard and cellar practices, and maintaining a deeply Chilean identity without reliance on foreign investment, Montes helped elevate the reputation of an entire nation’s wine industry. This Montes Alpha Syrah is produced from Syrah (90%), Cabernet Sauvignon (7%) and Viognier (3%). The grapes were macerated in the fermentation tank for 5 days, after which selected yeasts were added Fermentation lasted for 7–10 da
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Syrah
Syrah 🍷 Photo by Stephan Ridgway on Wikimedia Commons The Syrah ( Sih-RAH ) grape was originally linked to ancient Persia or Egypt. However, DNA testing in 1998 proved that Syrah originated in France. It naturally occurred when two grape varieties from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche, naturally crossed. Today, Syrah is grown all over the world. Its traditional home remains the northern Rhône Valley in France. It is also grown in Australia, where winemakers call it Shiraz. There, some of the oldest continually producing Syrah vines in the world can be found, with some planted back in 1843. You can also find it growing in large quantities across California, Washington state, South Africa, Chile, and Spain. Wines made from Syrah have aromas of dark fruits and may also include dried herbs, black pepper and licorice. On the palate, wines made from Syrah can have flavors of dark fruits like blackberries, blueberries, and black plums. They can also have notes of black pepper
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Behind the Cork™ - Karas Red Blend
2017 Karas Red Wine ($18) The 2017 Karas Red Wine is made by Karas Wines, located in the Armavir province of Armenia. The company grows its grapes in the Ararat Valley, a place where people have been making wine for over 6,200 years. The winery is named after "karas," which are traditional clay jars that locals used long ago to ferment their grapes. The vineyards are located high up in a dry area with very hot summers and freezing winters. The winemaking process blends traditional hand-picking with modern cellar technology. Workers pick all the grapes by hand. Inside the winery, the juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks. The final 2017 red wine is a blend made from several different grape varieties: 35% Syrah, 35% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Tannat. After the wine finishes fermenting, it is poured into oak barrels where it ages for one year before being bottled. This wine is deep purple in color with aromas of black fruit. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has rich flav
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Silvaner
Silvaner 🥂 Photo by Agnes27 on Wikimedia Commons Silvaner is an ancient white grape variety that originated in Austria. It is a natural cross between Traminer and Österreichisch-Weiß. From Austria, it spread to Germany, where it dates back to 1659 with plantings in Franconia. By the mid-twentieth century, it covered over thirty percent of Germany's total vineyard land, making it the country's most widely planted grape before declining in the 1970s. Today, Silvaner is primarily grown in Germany, particularly the Franconia and Rheinhessen regions, as well as in the Alsace region of France and the Valais canton of Switzerland. Cuttings of Silvaner were brought to the United States in 1858 and planted in California. A notable detail about the grape is its traditional packaging in Franconia, where top-quality Silvaner is bottled in a distinct, flattened green flask known as a Bocksbeutel rather than a tall wine bottle. Common aromas and flavors include green orchard fruits like pear and ap
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Behind the Cork™ - Amador Cellars Sangiovese
2015 Amador Cellars Sangiovese ($32) The 2015 Amador Cellars Sangiovese is an estate-bottled California red wine produced by Amador Cellars, a family-owned winery located in Plymouth, California. And, if you haven’t noticed over the years, one of my favorite wineries. I picked this one up at the winery a few years ago and have been waiting for the right opportunity to open it. Established in 2004 by the Long family, the estate operates a production facility and an underground-style barrel room in the Sierra Foothills. The fruit for this particular 2015 vintage was harvested from the winery's Ottimista Vineyards, located in the Shenandoah Valley AVA. Fermentation uses isolated yeasts. Following the primary fermentation process, the wine is moved into oak barrels to undergo 18 months of aging. The 2015 Amador Cellars Sangiovese is a medium garnet color, showing its 11-year age. The wine has soft aromas of red fruits, herbs and notes from the oak aging. On the palate, this medium-bodied w
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Semillon
Sémillon 🥂 Photo by Alison Parks-Whitfield on Wikimedia Commons Sémillon ( seh-mee-yohn ) is a yellow-skinned grape native to Bordeaux, France, where it has been grown for hundreds of years. The name likely comes from the local pronunciation of Saint-Émilion (san-tay meel-yohn). By the 1800s, the grape traveled to South Africa and Australia, where it quickly became a major crop. France remains the top producer. Australia’s Hunter Valley is another major region, famous for crisp, single-variety Semillon. You can also find this grape in Chile, South Africa, Argentina, Canada, and the United States, mostly in California and Washington. Sémillon wine has aromas and flavors of lemon, lime, green apple, and pear. Sweeter versions, or those from warmer climates, taste like honey, apricot, peach, and mango. If aged in oak barrels, the wine takes on flavors of vanilla and toasted bread. Sémillon is also used in creating sweet dessert wines through a helpful fungus called noble rot. This fungus
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Behind the Cork™ - Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc
2025 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc ($27.99) Established in 1998 by the Peabody family, Craggy Range is a family-owned estate that revolutionized New Zealand wine by matching specific grapes to unique terroirs. While their main winery is located in Hawke's Bay, their Te Muna Road property in Martinborough has become a landmark site for crafting high-quality white wines. This 2025 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc is indeed from the Te Muna Vineyard in Martinborough. The name Te Muna translates to "secret place" in the local Māori language. This wine was made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are grown on a stony lower terrace formed by an ancient riverbed. The grapes are partially picked by hand and most are removed from their stems before pressing. Fermentation mostly takes place in stainless steel tanks with a small portion being fermented in French and Austrian oak barrels. The wine then was left on-lees for three to five months before bottling. This 2025 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc i
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc (Part 2)
Sauvignon Blanc 🥂 Photo: Geolina163 & 1971markus on Wikimedia Commons Last time we looked at Sauvignon Blanc - its history, aromas and flavors. Now, let’s take a look at two different growing regions for Sauvignon Blanc: California and New Zealand. Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine made from the same grape variety, but the wines produced in California and New Zealand are different because of their climates. California Sauvignon Blanc generally comes from a warmer climate, which alters how the grapes ripen on the vine. The warm weather causes the grapes to develop higher sugar levels and lower natural sharpness, or acidity. As a result, the final wine usually features dominant flavors of ripe fruits like melon, peach, and citrus. The texture of the wine tends to be smoother and less sharp on the tongue. In contrast, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is mostly grown in the Marlborough region, which has a much cooler ocean climate combined with high levels of sunlight. The cool nights keep the n
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Behind the Cork™ - Bezel Sauvignon Blanc
2025 Bezel Sauvignon Blanc ($25.99) Bezel Wines is a fresh wine adventure from the well-known Cakebread Family of wines. Since 1973, they’ve been making wine in Napa Valley at Cakebread Cellars in Rutherford, California. But with Bezel, they’re venturing out of Napa to discover the hidden treasures of California wine country on the Central Coast. In this case, the Bezel Sauvignon Blanc was crafted in Paso Robles using 98% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Chardonnay. All the wine making was done in stainless steel to retain the bright fruit flavors. This Bezel Sauvignon Blanc is a pale straw color with aromas of citrus and tropical fruits. On the palate, this medium-light wine has bright flavors of citrus and grapefruit, and refreshing high acidity. It finishes very smooth and easy with just a hint of the citrus tartness. [ABV: 12.5%, pH: 3.25, TA: 6.7 g/l, Residual Sugar: 0.11 g/L] This 2025 Bezel Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing wine that will pair well with most foods. But, it’s also great all
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc (Part 1)
Sauvignon Blanc 🥂 Photo by Nathan on Wikimedia Commons The name originates from the French words sauvage ("wild") and vigne ("vine"). Native to western France, written records document its cultivation in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux by the 18th century. It is a natural cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc grapes. Today, winemakers grow it throughout the world. France produces lean, high-acid styles, while New Zealand's Marlborough region focuses on highly aromatic, pungent styles. California produces both crisp styles and barrel-aged varieties, while Chile, South Africa, and South Australia also maintain significant commercial production. Sauvignon Blanc wines have notes of green grass, lime, and green bell pepper. Warmer climates yield tropical fruit profiles like passion fruit and peach. On the palate, it is a dry wine with a light body and bright acidity. Winemakers use two main methods: unoaked (fermented in stainless steel to preserve fruit and acidity) and oaked (ag
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Behind the Cork™ - Caposaldo Chianti
2024 Caposaldo Chianti ($12.99) The name Caposaldo translates to “benchmark” in Italian—a bold claim that the wine backs up with a legendary backstory. If you look closely at the label, you'll spot golden horse heads. These pay tribute to Caposaldo, a historic Roman racing horse favored by Emperor Nero. By conquering Rome’s Circus Maximus, the champion horse became the ultimate standard of excellence, a quality that Caposaldo wines aim to replicate in every bottle. In the Chianti DOCG, every bottle must contain a minimum of 70% Sangiovese grapes. The website suggests that Caposaldo uses 75% Sangiovese, along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine. These grapes are handpicked on the rolling hillside vineyards of Tuscany, Italy, specifically spanning across the hilly provinces of Arezzo and Siena. The winery uses stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Then, 30 percent of the wine is separated to age for six months inside traditional oak vats before blending and bottling. This 2
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Sangiovese
Sangiovese 🍷 Photo by Agne27 on Wikimedia Commons Sangiovese is the most widely planted red wine grape in Italy. The name comes from Latin words meaning " the blood of Jupiter ," which shows that people have grown it since ancient Roman times. Its main home is the Tuscany region of Italy, where winemakers use it to make famous wines like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Today, farmers also grow this grape in other warm parts of the world, including California, Washington State, and South Australia. Aromas include red cherry, strawberry, and dried herbs. On the palate, it has flavors of tart cherry, plum and blackberry. It is naturally high in acidity, which makes the wine taste crisp. It also has medium-high tannins. The aging potential of the wine depends on how the winemaker made it. Simple, inexpensive bottles are meant to be consumed within 3 to 5 years of the harvest. High-quality bottles can age in a cellar for 10 to 20 years. Serve Sangiovese at 60°F to 65°F (15°C to 18°C).
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Behind the Cork™ - Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico
2022 Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico ($28.99) Tenuat di Nozzole is a Tuscan estate in Italy that dates back to the year 1300. Derived from nozze (meaning marriage or nuptials), the name originally designated a 14th-century meeting crossroads or land gifted for wedding celebrations. By 1300, it was frozen in time as the official name of this specific, rugged plot of land. The modern era of the property began in 1971 when the multi-generational Folonari family purchased the estate. Nino Folonari bought Nozzole to transition away from mass production and instead toward high-end, estate-bottled winemaking. Located in the heart of Greve in Chianti, the property has 220 acres dedicated specifically to specialized grape cultivation. The 2022 Tenuta de Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva is produced from 100% Sangiovese grapes. Fermentation took place in stainless steel vats for roughly 15 days. The wine was then aged for 10 to 12 months in French oak barrels, using 33% new oak. Finally, it sp
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Roussanne
Roussanne 🥂 Photo by Carlos the Great on Wikimedia Commons Roussanne ( rooh-sahn ) is native to the Rhône Valley in Southern France. Experts first wrote about it in the late 1700s in the Hermitage region. Today, it is still a major grape in famous French wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage, where winemakers often blend it with Marsanne to balance its flavors. Outside of France, Roussanne has found a popular second home in California, particularly along the Central Coast. Winemakers also grow smaller amounts of this grape in Washington State, Australia, and Tuscany, Italy. The grape gets its name from "roussille," which is the French word for the reddish-gold or russet color the berries turn right before they are harvested. Wines made from Roussanne are famous for their intense and unique smells. When you take a sip, you will often smell herbal tea, wildflowers, pears, and white peaches. As the wine ages, it starts to smell like nutty almond paste and warm honey. On the palate
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Behind the Cork™ - Shades of Blue Riesling
Shades of Blue Riesling ($11.99) Shades of Blue Riesling is a white wine made by a family-owned winery in Germany. The grapes grow on steep river slopes where the soil is composed of slate and limestone. Because the climate in this region is cool, the grapes stay on the vines longer and ripen slowly before harvest. This extended growing season allows the fruit to develop while maintaining its natural acidity level. After harvest, the winemakers press the grapes and transfer the juice into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation. These metal tanks are neutral and do not add any external flavors to the wine, which keeps the natural characteristics of the fruit intact. It should be noted that the fermentation process is stopped early to leave a portion of the natural grape sugars in the final product. This technique results in a wine with 9.5% alcohol content (relatively low) and a semi-dry style (i.e., some residual sugar). Shades of Blue Riesling is a medium gold i
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Riesling
Riesling 🥂 Photo by Kmtextor on Wikimedia Commons Riesling (reese-ling) is a white wine grape that originated along the Rhine River in Germany, with records dating back to 1435. It was originally grown by monks and royalty. Germany is still the most famous country for Riesling. However, it is also widely grown in Alsace (France), Austria, Australia, Washington State, and New York's Finger Lakes. Depending on where it is grown, the wine can taste completely different. Unlike many other white wines like Chardonnay, Riesling is almost never aged in oak barrels. This keeps the wine tasting fresh and crisp. When you smell a young Riesling, you may notice aromas of green apple, pear, peach, and white flowers. On the palate, you get bright flavors of lime, lemon, honey, and ginger. Riesling has very high natural acidity, which makes your mouth water immediately. Riesling is made in a wide range of styles, from bone-dry with no sugar at all, to intensely sweet dessert wines. Dry Riesling (lit
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Behind the Cork™ - The Seeker Riesling
The Seeker Riesling ($14.99) The Riesling grapes for this “The Seeker” wine were discovered by a husband and wife team in the famed Mosel Valley in Germany. This region features steep vineyard sites with fine, mineral-rich slate soil and perfect exposure to sun and wind. The vineyards were 100% hand-harvested to ensure top-quality grape selection. Traditional wine-making methods were observed, with individual wine-pressing techniques passed down through generations. Vinification took place in stainless steel and oak casks over 4-6 weeks, followed by aging in tanks and oak casks for 3-8 months. This 2024 The Seeker Riesling is pale gold in color with aromas that include citrus, green apple and floral notes. On the palate, this medium-light bodied wine is off-dry (some sweetness) with bright refreshing acidity and flavors of grapefruit and tropical fruits. It finishes with mouth-watering flavors that are great in warm weather or with spicy foods. [ABV: 11.69%, TA: 7.2 g/L, RS: 28 g/L] Th
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Picpoul
Picpoul 🥂 Photo by Marianne Casamance on Wikimedia Commons The ancient Picpoul wine grape originates in France's Languedoc region, with records dating back to the 1300s. Its name translates to " lip-stinger " in the traditional Occitan language, referencing the grape's exceptionally sharp, high natural acidity. Today, its home remains the coastal Picpoul de Pinet appellation in France. Winemakers also use it as a minor blending component in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while New World producers grow small amounts in Paso Robles, California, Texas, and Australia's McLaren Vale. Picpoul “Neptune” Bottle Authentic French bottles are easily recognized by the proprietary green "Neptune" bottle, which features a raised wave pattern near the neck. This maritime design mirrors its reputation as the ultimate "oyster wine," perfectly cutting through raw shellfish. In the glass, this bone-dry, light-bodied white wine delivers an intensely clean profile. The nose offers crisp aromas of green apple, citru
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Behind the Cork™ - Ridge Three Valleys Red Blend
2018 Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County ($30) Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 when four Stanford Research Institute engineers—David Bennion, Charles Rosen, Hewitt Crane, and Howard Zeidler—purchased a mountainside property on the Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. While winemaking on the site dated back to 1885, the partners produced their first small vintage of "Estate" Cabernet in 1959 and officially re-bonded the winery for the 1962 vintage. Ridge Three Valleys red blend is produced from 70% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 12% Carignane and 4% Mataro (a.k.a. Mourvedre). The “Three Valleys” name comes from the fact that the grapes came from vineyards in Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Sonoma Valley. Each lot of grapes was fermented for nine days on their skins followed by aging for 10 months in oak. This 2018 Ridge Three Valleys red blend is medium ruby in color with aromas of dark fruit and dried herbs. On the palate, this medium-ful
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Pinotage
Pinotage 🍷 Photo by Wolfgang Lendl on Wikimedia Commons Pinotage is a relatively young grape variety with a fascinating backstory. It was created in 1925 in South Africa by Professor Abraham Izak Perold, the first professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University. Perold wanted to combine the elegance of Pinot Noir with the hardiness and productivity of Cinsault that is known in South Africa as Hermitage. The grape gets its name from a blend of its parents: Pinot (Noir) + hermitage = Pinotage. While Pinotage has been experimented with in small amounts in countries like the United States (California), New Zealand, Canada, and Brazil, it remains overwhelmingly tied to South Africa. Pinotage typically has bold aromas of ripe blackberries, black cherries, and dark plums. Unique earthy and rustic undertones of leather, tar, and cured meat frequently define its signature profile. On the palate, juicy flavors of fresh red raspberry and blac
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Behind the Cork™ - Craggy Range Pinot Noir
2025 Craggy Range Pinot Noir ($32.99) Established in 1998, Craggy Range is a family-owned estate that revolutionized New Zealand wine by matching specific grapes to unique terroirs. This 2025 Craggy Range Pinot Noir is made from over ten distinct clones that were hand-harvested. The grapes were then destemmed (85%) prior to fermentation in a combination of open top stainless steel tanks and French oak using indigenous yeasts. The many different Pinot Noir clones are vinified separately and then blended. The wine ages 7 months in French oak barriques, 15% new, before being fined , coarse filtered and bottled in late 2025. This Craggy Range Pinot Noir is pale ruby in color with delicate aromas of dark cherry, raspberry and cranberry, with a subtle note of dried herbs. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has flavors of black and red cherry and strawberry. It has soft tannins that result in a smooth and easy mouth-feel. It finishes with touches of sweet jam. The 2025 Craggy Ra
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Pinot Noir Part 2
Pinot Noir 🍷 Photo by Ursula Brühl, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) on Wikimedia Commons Last time we looked at the Pinot Noir grape and the various countries where it is grown. Now, let’s look at two specific countries — the U.S. and New Zealand. 🇺🇸 The United States: Coastal Coolers In the U.S., Pinot Noir thrives primarily in California and Oregon, relying on marine fog and ocean breezes to cool the delicate vines. Russian River Valley (Sonoma County): A natural funnel for Pacific fog, this legendary region produces luxurious, universally loved wines. They are famously lush, silky, and fruit-forward—bursting with ripe red cherry, plum, and signature undertones of warm baking spices like cola and nutmeg. The San Luis Obispo & Paso Robles Corridor: This area highlights a dramatic contrast on California’s Central Coast. The Edna Valley AVA is a cool-climate paradise where an east-west valley funnels freezing ocean air to create an extended growing season. It yields remarkably balanced, m
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Behind the Cork™ - Bezel Pinot Noir
Bezel Pinot Noir ($29.99) This Pinot Noir is part of the “ A Tour of Wine Grapes ” series. Bezel Wines is a fresh wine adventure from the well-known Cakebread Family of wines. Since 1973, they’ve been making wine in Napa Valley at Cakebread Cellars in Rutherford, California. But with Bezel, they’re venturing out of Napa to discover the hidden treasures of California wine country on the Central Coast. In this case, the Bezel Pinot Noir was crafted in Paso Robles using Pinot Noir grapes from the Edna Valley, a cool-climate region renowned for its outstanding, elegant Pinot Noir. It spent 8 months aging in French oak. This Bezel Pinot Noir has a medium ruby hue, with aromas of cherry and raspberry, along with some floral hints. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine offers flavors of black cherry and plum, complemented by bright acidity and medium-high tannin. It concludes with a light touch of sweetness. Bezel Pinot Noir is part of the wonderful Cakebread family of wines. It’s delicious,