A Guide to Fine Wine

Wine is made from grapes, primarily the Vitis Vinifera. The main grape varieties, often called noble, are grown all around the world. They are widely recognised as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio (Gris) for white grapes and Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (Shiraz), Merlot, Pinot Noir and Grenache for red.

There are over one thousand (1000) grape varieties, as recently listed in the new book by wine expert Jancis Robinson. Wine is made all around the world, but is commonly divided into traditional wine producing countries (Old World) and countries where grapes have only been recently cultivated (New World). Old World wines come from countries such as France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Hungary, Romania and England. New World wines come from countries like the USA, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

Old World Countries have complex laws that define how and where grape varieties may be grown. These exist under the European framework of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). In France the system is the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Vin de Pays. In Spain it is the Denominación de Origen (DO) and the Vino de la Tierra (VDLT). In Italy Denominazione di Origine Controllata (e Garantita) (DOC/DOCG) and the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT). In Germany there is the Prädikatswein and Qualitätswein.

Famous wine producing regions include Bordeaux in France, where the red wine is often called Claret. The famous classification system here dates back to 1855 when the top Chateau were classified into five stages. This only applies to the wines produced on the left bank of the Dordogne river.

Other famous French wine regions include Burgundy, home to Chablis, Loire where Sancerre is made and the famous wines of Alsace. The most famous wine region in Spain is undoubtedly Rioja and the name Chianti and Chianti Classico is synonymous with Italy.

The New World Wine regions include the Napa and Sonoma Valley in California, USA where Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are famous grapes. Wines such as Mondavi and E&J Gallo are well known and popular. Jacob's Creek is the best known Australian brand, although quality wine regions include the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale in South Australia where quality Shiraz is grown, Semillon from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales and Margaret River in Western Australia.

In New Zealand the Marlborough region produces fresh Sauvignon Blanc, although Central Otago is becoming a classic Pinot Noir region. The Malbec grape produces fantastic red wines in Argentina, mainly from the high altitude region of Mendoza.

Chile is home to a wide variety of grapes, their long thin country having several valleys that run parallel to the Andes, such as the Casablanca Valley, Maipo and Colchagua.

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Finding the Best Red Wine

If there is one primary factor you need to keep in mind when looking for red wine, it's the body type of that wine. The body type refers to the tannin structure of the wine, its alcohol content, and how the wine feels in the mouth when you drink it. The three body types are light, medium, and full.

Light-Bodied - this type of red wine has a few tannins present on it and has a "lighter" flavor. It's also usually low in alcohol content. Among the three types, it's the easiest to pair with food. Pinot Noir is a good example of a light-bodied red, along with some varieties of Merlot.

Medium-Bodied - obviously, medium-bodied red wines are a bit weightier than light-bodied reds. They contain a little bit more tannin and alcohol and has a lot more texture or feel in the tongue when you drink it. Most varieties of Merlot are considered to be medium-bodied, as well as Chianti, some types of Shiraz, and some Cabernet varieties.

Full-Bodied - yes, you guess it right - full-bodied reds have the most tannin and alcohol content and leave the most texture or feel in the mouth when you drink it. They also tend to be darker in color, considering the fact that most of the wine comes from the skin of the grapes it is made of. Douro Reds, Shiraz, California Cabernet, Zinfandels, Malbec, and some types of Merlot are considered to be the most full-bodied red wines in the world today.

In terms of finding the best red wine out there, it actually depends on what you want to taste. It also depends on which food you would want to pair it. In short, how great a variety of red wine is depends not on the quality of wine itself (although it does most of the time), but on the texture and flavor the taster is looking for.

The key to finding the best red wine for your taste then is to try as many brands and varieties as you can find. If you are serious about becoming a wine expert, then you really need to invest time and money, not just in the bottles you buy alone, but in travels and tours that you may have to take. After all, different winemaking countries offer different qualities of red wine and the only way to find out which one offers the best is by trying them all out. http://ezinearticles.com/?Finding-the-Best-Red-Wine&id=7462051

Red Wine Uruguayan Tannat - A Guide to This Fine Wine - Its Benefits and Secrets

Tannat red wine produces wine tasting notes of red fruits and spices with an intense cherry red color and purplish tint. Why the Uruguayan Tannat is different to the French Tannat wine? The wine making process in Uruguay changed when the Tannat wine grape was introduced at the end of 19th century from Madiran, France since this type of wine was carefully developed and improved till today. Nowadays, Uruguay is the only wine Country of the world that produces important quantities of Tannat wine grapes.

In the natural process of the red wine maturing a micro-oxygenation technique is a complement to soften Tannat red wines with special results. The micro-oxygenation introduces oxygen into the wine, in a controlled way, giving a balance in the tannins of the Tannat red wines. The result is a varietal Uruguayan Tannat red wine with its own personality, softer than the French Tannat wine.

Uruguayan Tannat fine wine by itself or blended with other red wines like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz allows fine wines where the Tannat contributes with its robust style, body and richness of tannins. The benefits of drinking red wine for the health are well known but they are increased, in an important way, with the Tannat red wines. If you drink with moderation a Tannat red wine you obtain, derived from the Tannat grapes, a high concentration of tannins and polyphenols that help to protect your heart health and blood vessels.

For a wine enthusiast, a food and wine pairing of a Tannat wine bottle is ideal with grilled and broiled red meats, lamb, chicken, and roast duck. In the wine and cheese area, the Tannat wine charm goes with strong and well matured cheeses. As a general tasting note, Tannat red wine is best paired with strongly flavored dishes.Discover the fine wines from Uruguay with international awards in wine tasting.

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Grapes That Make the Best Wine

The wine making process can make wine out of any fruit that contains residual sugar after harvesting. I can guarantee that many of these wines will have some alcohol in them, but most will not be very tasty since they are usually sweet and poorly balanced. The grape has emerged as the champion wine making fruit over the years because it contains the highest sugar of most other fruits and yields about 11 percent alcohol. The tartaric acid and tannins found exclusively in grapes is responsible for its unique tastes. There probably is also a little snob appeal since grapes have royal origins, and fruit wines are more associated with home brews during prohibition.

The variety of grape is the most important factor in your wine's style and taste. Of course red grapes make red wine and white grapes make white wine, but many other factors such as levels of sugar, acidity, and tannins make a huge difference in taste. The varieties discussed below have proven over the years to make the best wine and are the most popular. Any new research in developing new vines looks at tweaking these varieties to be more disease resistant, more productive, and to grow in colder climates. Most of these wines originated in Europe, but now are planted around the world in temperate climates.

Top White Wines

• The Chardonnay grape variety is a classic white wine grape grown all around the world. Origins are in the Burgundy and Champagne regions of France. It makes a full bodied, complex wine that is often aged in oak.
• The Sauvignon Blanc grape from Loire and Bordeaux can be grown in warmer regions and are higher in acid that most whites. It is often identified by its grassy flavor, and is often called Fume Blanc.
• The Pinot Blanc grape is used to produce light, dry, pleasant white wines. It originated in Alsace region of France.
• The Pinot Gris grape variety is known as Pinot Grigio in Italy and Rulander in Germany. In general it produces wines of average quality except in Alsace and Tuscany.
• Riesling makes wines from very dry to very sweet but are usually made in semi-dry styles that accent the fruity flavors. They are originally form the Moselle and Rhine valleys of Germany as and the Alsace region of France.
• Gewurztraminer originated in Germany and Alsace and is known for its floral fragrance and spicy flavor. It grows well in cool climates..
• The Viognier grape from the Rhone valley is becoming more popular as more is planted in California. It makes wines of medium body with a fruity flavor..
• Chenin Blanc is a white grape from the Loire Valley (Vouvray). It makes white wines that are fragrant and high in acid, and is often used as a base for jug wine.
• The Muscat family makes wines that are generally sweet and very floral. It is known as Moscato in Italy and Moscatel in Spain and also is often used for sparkling wines.

Top Red Wines

• The premier red wine grape is Cabernet Sauvignon and is the dominant grape in the Bordeaux region of France. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape produces distinctive wines that are tannic and full bodied. They are always barreled in oak and may age for up to 10 years in the bottle..
• The Merlot grape is very similar to Cabernet Sauvignon but makes a wine lower in tannins that matures faster and is softer in texture. Merlot is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to make the famous "Bordeaux Blend" which is know as Meritage in the US.
• Pinot Noir is the top wine in the Burgundy region of France. It is also a major grape in most fine quality Champagne and sparkling wines. It low in tannin and relatively high in acid and produces a medium body wine with exceptional flavor.
• Known as Syrah in France and Shiraz in Australia, this grape originated in Persia. It produces full bodied wines of intense color and flavor.
• Zinfandel's origin is unknown and it is grown almost exclusively in California. It probably arrived in the US from Italy or Croatia. This grape makes solid red wines with good fruit and structure. It was popular with home winemakers during prohibition and were the only vines that survived those "dark ages".
• Sangiovese is the primary grape grown in Italy's Tuscany and is used to make Chianti. Sangiovese wines are spicy, have a smooth texture, medium body and good acid levels,.
• Barbera is a red wine grape grown mostly in Italy. It has some of the flavor characteristics you would find in Cabernet Sauvignon but with higher acid levels
• Cabernet Franc is a grape most often used in Bordeaux blends to add acidity and aroma. It is lighter and fruitier than Cabernet Sauvignon and was first planted in the Loire region of France.
• Carignane grapes are widely planted throughout the world. They originated in Spain and grow well in Mediterranean climates. Wines are full bodied with strong fruit and tannin characteristics.
• The Gamay grape started in the Beaujolais region of France. These wines are light, low in alcohol, high in acidity and very fruity. They should not be aged very long
• Grenache grapes are a sweet grape that started in the Rhone valley. It is one of the most popular because its wines are fruity, full in flavor, and have overtones of spice. It is often the base for jug wines. http://ezinearticles.com/?Grapes-That-Make-the-Best-Wine&id=2042383