Topic
#grape-varieties
18 posts tagged with this topic. RSS feed.
- news
A Tour of Wine Grapes: Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc 🥂 Photo by The Mighty Quill on Wikimedia Commons Pinot Blanc (pee-noh blahnk) originated centuries ago in Burgundy, France. It is not a separate grape species, but a natural, white-skinned color mutation of the red Pinot Noir grape. In fact, it shares the exact same genetic DNA fingerprint as Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. It wasn't until 1895 that grape experts officially identified Pinot Blanc as its own distinct variety. Eventually, Burgundy phased it out in favor of Chardonnay. Today, Pinot Blanc thrives in cool-climate vineyards across Europe and the New World, changing its name and personality depending on where it is grown. For example, in France, it serves as the base for Crémant d'Alsace which is France's most popular non-Champagne sparkling wine. In Germany, it is known locally as Weissburgunder. And, in Italy, it’s called Pinot Bianco. The Pinot Blanc grape produces medium to full-bodied white wines with aromas of green apple, lemon zest, pear with floral notes. On
by Marc Kirkpatrick0 viewsgrape-varieties - news
White grapes quiz: 12 questions to test your wine knowledge
Take our latest quiz...
by Amy Wislocki0 viewswinegrape-varieties - news
Gran Selezione: Chianti Classico's 100-point milestone
Coming of age at last...
by Michaela Morris0 viewsitalysangiovesetuscanyvintage-guideswinewine-regions - news
Ten Pinot Noirs from Sonoma that will appeal to every palate
A democratic variety...
by Ana Carolina Quintela1 viewusacaliforniasonomapinot-noirwinewine-regions - news
Heitz Cellar masterclass: DFWE New York 2026
Tasting back to 1979…
by Jonathan Cristaldi0 viewsnapa-valleycabernet-sauvignonwinewine-regionsusacalifornia - news
A Tour of Wine Grapes: Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah 🍷 Image Courtesy of Noble Roots Nursery Petite Sirah ( peh-teet-sear-ah ) was created by French botanist Dr. François Durif in the mid-1860s in an attempt to develop a vine resistant to mildew. The grape is also known as Durif in honor of its originator. Unfortunately, the grape was largely discarded in France because its tight clusters were prone to rot in wet weather. The grape was imported to Northern California in 1884. Today, more than 80% of the world’s planting of Petite Sirah are in California. Petite Sirah is not the same as Syrah and is distinct from petit syrah which French growers use to describe small-berried clones of true Syrah. Because the Petite Sirah berry (i.e., grape) is so small, it has a very high skin-to-juice ratio. This results in wines that are opaque with inky black-purple color. Aromas include blueberry, violets, dark chocolate and black tea. Flavors tend toward to black fruit such as blackberry and sugarplum along with cracked black pepper. Be
by Marc Kirkpatrick1 viewgrape-varieties - news
The ethical drinker: Join the resistance and give hybrid grapes a chance
Do you know your Souvignier Gris from your Cabernet Cortis? Sustainability editor Natalie Earl explores the rise and symbolism of disease-resistant hybrid grapes via an innovative micro-négociant project in southern France's Languedoc.
by Natalie Earl2 viewsgrape-varietieslanguedoc-roussillonwinewine-regionswestern-europefrance - news
Three reasons to start drinking Albana, Romagna's signature white grape
Romagna's golden grape...
by Amy Beth Wright2 viewsgrape-varietiesitalywinewine-regionswestern-europe - news
A Tour of Wine Grapes: Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo 🍷 Photo by Hanna on Wikimedia Commons Nebbiolo ( neb-ee-oh-low ) is one of Italy’s top red wine grapes, most famous for its role in the Piedmont ( pyeh-MON-teh ) region. Nebbiolo is ancient royalty. The first written record of the grape dates all the way back to 1268 in a document from the Rivoli region of Piedmont. It has been beloved by Italian nobility, popes, and kings for over 700 years. The name Nebbiolo comes from "nebbia," the Italian word for fog. This may come from the late October harvest, when it is typical for a thick fog to roll through the valleys and blanket the Piedmont hillsides. Or, just as likely, it refers to the fact that the grapes develop a milky, fog-like white powder (called bloom) over their dark skins as they mature. While Nebbiolo is the grape, you’ll also see wines produced from this grape labeled as “Barolo” and “Barbaresco.” These are specific Italian regions that are legally required to use 100% Nebbiolo grapes. In the glass, wines made from N
by Marc Kirkpatrick2 viewsgrape-varieties - news
World Verdejo Day
Top-scoring Verdejo wines to celebrate World Verdejo Day...
by Martin Green3 viewsspaindecanter-world-wine-awardsgrape-varietieswhite-winewinewine-regions - news
Apollo’s Praise: Meeting New York's most exciting new producer
Sing paeans, muse, of golden wines...
by Maiah Johnson Dunn0 viewsusanew-yorkrieslingwinewine-regionsgrape-varieties - news
Experience the exciting new wave of California Zinfandel with these 18 wines
An American classic reborn...
by Clive Pursehouse1 viewwineusacaliforniazinfandelwine-regionsred-wine - news
A Tour of Wine Grapes: Mourvedre
Mourvèdre & Monastrell🍷 Photo by Pancrat on Wikimedia Commons Mourvèdre is a thick-skinned, late-ripening red wine grape native to Spain, where it is known as Monastrell. Though it originated on the Iberian Peninsula, it has also found a famous secondary home along France’s Mediterranean coast and Southern Rhône Valley. In Spain, Monastrell is frequently bottled as a single-varietal wine. In France, however, Mourvèdre (moohr-VED-ruh) is rarely bottled alone; instead, it is blended with Grenache and Syrah to create famous GSM wines. Monastrell (moh-nah-STRELL) wines from Spain’s hot, intensely arid, and semi-desert environments are very fruit-forward, smooth, and tend to be high in alcohol. Aromas include blackberry, dark chocolate, licorice, and smoke. GSM blends from France incorporate Mourvèdre to add structure and deep color to Grenache and Syrah. These full-bodied wines have medium acidity and medium-to-high tannins. This blend yields a complex mix of red fruit flavors (like ripe
by Marc Kirkpatrick2 viewsgrape-varieties - news
A Tour of Wine Grapes: Montepulciano
Montepulciano 🍷 Photo by Ra Boe on Wikimedia Commons Montepulciano (mon-tay-pull-chee-anno") is an Italian grape, mostly found in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Although the Montepulciano grape shares its name with the Montepulciano region in Italy, the grape is from the Abruzzo region while the Montepulciano region is known for the Sangiovese grape. Are you still with me? The modern era for the grape truly began in 1968 with the official creation of the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC . Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a very dark skinned grape. In fact, its skin is so rich in color pigments, the juice is instantly an opaque purple upon crushing whereas most red wines get their color from long soaking periods with the juice in contact with the skins (i.e., maceration). Wines produced from the Montepulciano grape can have two styles. The medium-bodied wine is the standard. Everyday versions are aged in stainless steel. The full-bodied style is achieved through longer maceration periods and aging
by Marc Kirkpatrick2 viewsgrape-varieties - news
New Zealand Pinot Noir 2026 – Vertdevin
New Zealand Pinot Noir is now recognized as one of the most promising in the world. From Martinborough to Central Otago, discover the regions, styles, and fascinating history of this exceptional grape variety inspired by Burgundy.
by Lola Mulard4 viewsnewsata-rangiburgundycentral-otagogrape-varietiesinternational-wines - news
Albariño: the grape & wine
Albariño : the grape & wines Many white wine drinkers reach instinctively for familiar favourites like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio. There is nothing wrong with any of these well-known varieties but looking further afield there is a world of exciting alternative white wines. None of these alternatives is more refreshing, versatile and food-friendly than Albariño (pronounced phonetically as Alba-reen-yo). If you’re looking to expand your palate and discover a white wine that balances elegance with vibrancy, Albariño may be exactly what you are missing. In my opinion, Albariño, especially from the Rías Baixas DO, is one of the best Spanish (and Portuguese) still white wines today. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explore everything you need to know about the Albariño grape and its wines — from its origins and flavour profile to food pairings and buying tips—so that you can skip the Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot shelves and find a great bottle of this delicious wine ins
by WinesWithAttitude4 viewsgrape-varietieswine-stylesalbarinowine-facts - news
Carmenère: Chile’s signature grape & wine
Carmenère: Chile’s signature grape & wine You would not be surprised to learn that Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other well-known grape varieties are popular search terms on the Wines With Attitude website. However, one of the most searched-for varieties is Carmenère (pronounced car-mun-air), a rather more obscure, though distinctive, black grape variety. Part of the reason for its low profile is that Carmenère accounts for only a tiny proportion of the total world wine grape production. In addition it has long been the source of mystery and misidentification. In fact the grape was almost extinct and was only rediscovered many years later, in the late 20th century, on a different continent having long been mistaken for another grape. So why is Carmenère such a popular search term? Let’s delve into the mysterious Carménère and find out where it is grown, what kind of wines it produces, what it tastes like and why you should make it a part of your wine repertoire. The Ca
by WinesWithAttitude4 viewsgrape-varietieswine-stylescarmenerewine-facts - news
Malbec grape and wines
Guide to the Malbec Grape & its wines Malbec, Argentinian Malbec in particular, is one of the most popular red wines in the UK. It was long considered one of the ‘beefiest’ red wines and became a staple house wine for many pubs and restaurants, initially increasing its popularity. That may however have come at a cost as public perception of the quality of Malbec seems to be in decline. This blogpost looks into the reasons for Malbec’s popularity, explores facts about the Malbec grape that account, in part, for the wine’s different aromas & flavours and for the different styles of Malbec wine. It also considers if quality has become an issue for ‘brand Malbec’ and covers which food is best consumed with Malbec. The Malbec grape Although the Malbec grape is the flagship grape of Argentina, it originated in the area of South West France around the city of Cahors, east of Bordeaux and north of Toulouse. It is also known in that area and in the Loire where a little is grown as Côt or Auxerr
by WinesWithAttitude4 viewsgrape-varietieswine-stylesargentinafood-pairingmalbecwine-and-food