6:23 AM
04/21/08 - Grape Wines
Today's Grape Wines Article
Which is for You - Blended or Varietal Wines?Darby Higgs
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does it matter?
At the basic level, the difference is quite simple. Varietal wines are made from a single grape variety, while blended wines are made using two or more. The most obvious example is the difference between the two great red wine styles of France. Burgundy red wine is composed of the single variety Pinot noir. Bordeaux red wines are most often blends of up to five varieties, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit verdot. There are a few Bordeaux wines made from a single variety, but they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
So much for theory. The distinction between varietal and blended wines is less clear in practice. Many varietal wines are made from blends of wine grown in several regions. Australias iconic Grange is such an example. Each year hundreds of samples from many vineyards are tasted and evaluated before the final blend is decided upon. The result is a blend of regions, rather than varieties.
Many more modest Australian wines with to fame are also regional blends. The process of selecting the blend is similar but much more simplified. The clue on the label is often the words wine of South Eastern Australia. This is almost as general a statement that you can get about the origins of an Australian wine.
Some wines made from a single variety are blends of several different vintages, but this is quite rare for table wines.
While on the topic of labels, you should be aware that many wines bearing a single varietal name can legally contain up to fifteen percent of other varieties. If the wine is labelled as a blend, then the variety with the largest percentage composition should be named first, for example wine labelled Cabernet Merlot, should contain a greater percentage of Cabernet than Merlot.
Our second question is does it matter? Well, if you find a wine that you enjoy and it is a blend, then you should continue to drink it. However if you wish to extend your wine knowledge and thus enhance your wine experience you should try varietal wines whenever possible. There are hundreds of varietal wines available, each with a special subtle difference waiting for you to discover.
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does it matter?
At the basic level, the difference is quite simple. Varietal wines are made from a single grape variety, while blended wines are made using two or more. The most obvious example is the difference between the two great red wine styles of France. Burgundy red wine is composed of the single variety Pinot noir. Bordeaux red wines are most often blends of up to five varieties, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit verdot. There are a few Bordeaux wines made from a single variety, but they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
So much for theory. The distinction between varietal and blended wines is less clear in practice. Many varietal wines are made from blends of wine grown in several regions. Australias iconic Grange is such an example. Each year hundreds of samples from many vineyards are tasted and evaluated before the final blend is decided upon. The result is a blend of regions, rather than varieties.
Many more modest Australian wines with to fame are also regional blends. The process of selecting the blend is similar but much more simplified. The clue on the label is often the words wine of South Eastern Australia. This is almost as general a statement that you can get about the origins of an Australian wine.
Some wines made from a single variety are blends of several different vintages, but this is quite rare for table wines.
While on the topic of labels, you should be aware that many wines bearing a single varietal name can legally contain up to fifteen percent of other varieties. If the wine is labelled as a blend, then the variety with the largest percentage composition should be named first, for example wine labelled Cabernet Merlot, should contain a greater percentage of Cabernet than Merlot.
Our second question is does it matter? Well, if you find a wine that you enjoy and it is a blend, then you should continue to drink it. However if you wish to extend your wine knowledge and thus enhance your wine experience you should try varietal wines whenever possible. There are hundreds of varietal wines available, each with a special subtle difference waiting for you to discover.
A Short Grape Wines Summary
A Look at Wine Glass Racks
Any wine collection is not complete without a collection of wine glasses with which to drink the wine. Wine glass racks can store your stemware easily...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Grape Wines Products we recommend
The FTD Forever at Peace Arrangement - Standard
A tender sentiment expressed in a striking pink and white bouquet. This basket of flowers contains white calla lilies, pink roses, and heather. Appropriate to send to a home or to a funeral. S5-3497S
Price: 319.99 USD
News about Grape Wines
Restaurant review: Vinino a wilting experience (The Kansas City Star)
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:16:28 PDT
I was busy picking out yellowed arugula leaves from my warm goat cheese and beet salad at Vinino when the lights dimmed. It is standard practice at most restaurants to lower the lights to create more mood, more mystery.
Board Wrap: Walkout Worthy Service at Dovetail?
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:46:05 PDT
· You Don't Really Hate Goat Cheese Unless You've Tried it 10 Times SE] · Zen Burger, Quantum Leap, Houstons Have Best Veggie Burgers LiveJournal] · Not Terrible Mexican? Lupe's, Red Hook Ballfields, Taco Truck off 7 Train Yelp] · Bring Flowers, Not Macaroons to the GF's Parents' House for Passover Yelp] · Chowhounder Sat in Dovetail's Basement, Walks Out CH]
leapfrogging from food to food
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:01:07 PDT
When we were kids, my brother and I loved playing word games with our parents. I always loved one called The Minister’s Cat, a Victorian parlor game we learned from the Albert Finney version of Scrooge. Everyone in the room claps rhythmically and chants, “The minister’s cat is a _______ cat.” When it was your turn, you had to quickly shout out an adjective that began with the letter of that round. A cantankerous cat! A comical cat! A caring cat! And inevitably, someone would grow flustered and
Halloumi, Grilled to Perfection
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:09:45 PDT
This evening was glorious. It was the first day this year where one wakes up to warm sun, birds chirping and the sun shining with nary a cloud in the sky. I already knew this would mean BBQ time, eat dinner "al fresco" time and relax time. It was a busy week but also very productive. I'm working on some new things for this blog and the emphasis is on "beyond". Part of my dinner this evening was a grilled Halloumi on a bed of rocket (wild greens). Halloumi is a cheese native to the island of
Teriyaki Mushroom Salad
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:15:12 PDT
This months No Croutons Required theme was mushrooms. With mushrooms being one of my favorite foods there was no way that I could not participate. I was wondering what I would do. I have a few mushroom recipes bookmarked that would have been nice but I decided to wait a and think it over. A while later I came across a picture of a salad with sliced rare steak on top that looked really good. I thought that a salad with a sliced portobello mushroom on top would also be great. My next thought was
April Farmers' Market
Sat, 19 Apr 2008 05:46:24 PDT
It was the monthly farmers market again, this morning. So we bought bread (from the back: black olive, sunflower, walnut and raisin, garlic and herb, 5 seed and white), smoked salmon, smoked chicken, sausages made from smoked trout and also from goat, mature Cheshire cheese, carrots, sprouting broccoli, parsnips and leeks, soup (celeriac, parsnip and smoked red pepper and bean and tomato), dry cider, apples (unknown variety), then crisps (potato and carrot, parsnip and beetroot), fudge, t
Champagne Wine
Cell Phone
![LinkaGoGo]()
&type=page">
Which is for You - Blended or Varietal Wines?Darby Higgs
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does it matter?
At the basic level, the difference is quite simple. Varietal wines are made from a single grape variety, while blended wines are made using two or more. The most obvious example is the difference between the two great red wine styles of France. Burgundy red wine is composed of the single variety Pinot noir. Bordeaux red wines are most often blends of up to five varieties, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit verdot. There are a few Bordeaux wines made from a single variety, but they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
So much for theory. The distinction between varietal and blended wines is less clear in practice. Many varietal wines are made from blends of wine grown in several regions. Australias iconic Grange is such an example. Each year hundreds of samples from many vineyards are tasted and evaluated before the final blend is decided upon. The result is a blend of regions, rather than varieties.
Many more modest Australian wines with to fame are also regional blends. The process of selecting the blend is similar but much more simplified. The clue on the label is often the words wine of South Eastern Australia. This is almost as general a statement that you can get about the origins of an Australian wine.
Some wines made from a single variety are blends of several different vintages, but this is quite rare for table wines.
While on the topic of labels, you should be aware that many wines bearing a single varietal name can legally contain up to fifteen percent of other varieties. If the wine is labelled as a blend, then the variety with the largest percentage composition should be named first, for example wine labelled Cabernet Merlot, should contain a greater percentage of Cabernet than Merlot.
Our second question is does it matter? Well, if you find a wine that you enjoy and it is a blend, then you should continue to drink it. However if you wish to extend your wine knowledge and thus enhance your wine experience you should try varietal wines whenever possible. There are hundreds of varietal wines available, each with a special subtle difference waiting for you to discover.
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does it matter?
At the basic level, the difference is quite simple. Varietal wines are made from a single grape variety, while blended wines are made using two or more. The most obvious example is the difference between the two great red wine styles of France. Burgundy red wine is composed of the single variety Pinot noir. Bordeaux red wines are most often blends of up to five varieties, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit verdot. There are a few Bordeaux wines made from a single variety, but they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
So much for theory. The distinction between varietal and blended wines is less clear in practice. Many varietal wines are made from blends of wine grown in several regions. Australias iconic Grange is such an example. Each year hundreds of samples from many vineyards are tasted and evaluated before the final blend is decided upon. The result is a blend of regions, rather than varieties.
Many more modest Australian wines with to fame are also regional blends. The process of selecting the blend is similar but much more simplified. The clue on the label is often the words wine of South Eastern Australia. This is almost as general a statement that you can get about the origins of an Australian wine.
Some wines made from a single variety are blends of several different vintages, but this is quite rare for table wines.
While on the topic of labels, you should be aware that many wines bearing a single varietal name can legally contain up to fifteen percent of other varieties. If the wine is labelled as a blend, then the variety with the largest percentage composition should be named first, for example wine labelled Cabernet Merlot, should contain a greater percentage of Cabernet than Merlot.
Our second question is does it matter? Well, if you find a wine that you enjoy and it is a blend, then you should continue to drink it. However if you wish to extend your wine knowledge and thus enhance your wine experience you should try varietal wines whenever possible. There are hundreds of varietal wines available, each with a special subtle difference waiting for you to discover.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darby Higgs is an expert on Australian wines made from unusual and rare grape varieties. He is the manager of the Vinodiversity website at http://www.vinodiversity.com
A Short Grape Wines Summary
A Look at Wine Glass Racks
Any wine collection is not complete without a collection of wine glasses with which to drink the wine. Wine glass racks can store your stemware easily...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Grape Wines Products we recommend
The FTD Forever at Peace Arrangement - Standard
A tender sentiment expressed in a striking pink and white bouquet. This basket of flowers contains white calla lilies, pink roses, and heather. Appropriate to send to a home or to a funeral. S5-3497S
Price: 319.99 USD
News about Grape Wines
Restaurant review: Vinino a wilting experience (The Kansas City Star)
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:16:28 PDT
I was busy picking out yellowed arugula leaves from my warm goat cheese and beet salad at Vinino when the lights dimmed. It is standard practice at most restaurants to lower the lights to create more mood, more mystery.
Board Wrap: Walkout Worthy Service at Dovetail?
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:46:05 PDT
· You Don't Really Hate Goat Cheese Unless You've Tried it 10 Times SE] · Zen Burger, Quantum Leap, Houstons Have Best Veggie Burgers LiveJournal] · Not Terrible Mexican? Lupe's, Red Hook Ballfields, Taco Truck off 7 Train Yelp] · Bring Flowers, Not Macaroons to the GF's Parents' House for Passover Yelp] · Chowhounder Sat in Dovetail's Basement, Walks Out CH]
leapfrogging from food to food
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:01:07 PDT
When we were kids, my brother and I loved playing word games with our parents. I always loved one called The Minister’s Cat, a Victorian parlor game we learned from the Albert Finney version of Scrooge. Everyone in the room claps rhythmically and chants, “The minister’s cat is a _______ cat.” When it was your turn, you had to quickly shout out an adjective that began with the letter of that round. A cantankerous cat! A comical cat! A caring cat! And inevitably, someone would grow flustered and
Halloumi, Grilled to Perfection
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:09:45 PDT
This evening was glorious. It was the first day this year where one wakes up to warm sun, birds chirping and the sun shining with nary a cloud in the sky. I already knew this would mean BBQ time, eat dinner "al fresco" time and relax time. It was a busy week but also very productive. I'm working on some new things for this blog and the emphasis is on "beyond". Part of my dinner this evening was a grilled Halloumi on a bed of rocket (wild greens). Halloumi is a cheese native to the island of
Teriyaki Mushroom Salad
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:15:12 PDT
This months No Croutons Required theme was mushrooms. With mushrooms being one of my favorite foods there was no way that I could not participate. I was wondering what I would do. I have a few mushroom recipes bookmarked that would have been nice but I decided to wait a and think it over. A while later I came across a picture of a salad with sliced rare steak on top that looked really good. I thought that a salad with a sliced portobello mushroom on top would also be great. My next thought was
April Farmers' Market
Sat, 19 Apr 2008 05:46:24 PDT
It was the monthly farmers market again, this morning. So we bought bread (from the back: black olive, sunflower, walnut and raisin, garlic and herb, 5 seed and white), smoked salmon, smoked chicken, sausages made from smoked trout and also from goat, mature Cheshire cheese, carrots, sprouting broccoli, parsnips and leeks, soup (celeriac, parsnip and smoked red pepper and bean and tomato), dry cider, apples (unknown variety), then crisps (potato and carrot, parsnip and beetroot), fudge, t
Champagne Wine
Cell Phone
Labels: German Wine | Gift Ideas
0 Comments:
<< Home