Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties in cultivation. There are records of the ancient Romans growing this variety, although they called it Helvenacia Minor. This varietal became famous, however, due to the wines made in Burgundy, France. This grape is notoriously difficult to work with. Not only does it contract almost every [...]
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular and revered red wine in the world. It is made all over the world, from the Bordeaux region of France, to California, to Australia, South America and even Africa. The grape is a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, and is thought to have first developed in the [...]
Merlot is a rich, red wine from the Bordeaux region of France. These grapes are planted on more acreage than the famous Cabernet Sauvignon, yet until recently, they were only used to blend with the Cabernet. Traditionally, this grape adds a soft smoothness to the sharper grapes. Its plummy richness adds a lush quality to [...]
Riesling has developed a reputation as “the other white wine.” While it fell out of favor in the 1980s and 1990s due to the rising popularity of Chardonnay, Riesling’s true flavors have held to their high standard. A true Riesling will have the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. Originally grown in Germany beginning in [...]
Sauvignon Blanc is a dry white wine made famous in the Loire Valley and in Bordeaux, France. It is also blended with Semillon to create fine dry wines and the well-known sweet wines Sauterne and Barsac. Sauvignon Blanc is now grown in New Zealand, California (often marketed as fume blanc), Oregon, Australia, Chile and South [...]