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Most grapes are white inside, even black grapes. The skin gives wine
most of its tannic structure and complexity. Skin color dictates the
color of the wine. For example, Blushes are wines that have had
short in time contact with their skins.
Chardonnay
This grape is found in almost every wine- growing region in the world. From Chile to China. It is adept at growing in a wide range of climates and soils. Chardonnay does well in both new oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. It's known for giving wine flavors of pear, apple and tropical fruit.
Chenin Blanc / Steen
This grape is found throughout France's Loire region. It is the principal grape of
Vouvray. Chenin Blanc wines are highly acidic, leading to long aging potential. These wines have a rich flavor of honey and pear. Chenin Blanc is also grown as a varietal in California with some success.
Sauvignon Blanc / Fume Blanc
These grapes produce dry, aromatic wines from the Loire and Bordeaux of France. It also contributes to Sauternes and Barsac blends.
Gewürztraminer
This grape is a specialty of France's Alsace region. The wines have a spicy fruity flavor and a nose of roses, lychees and tropical fruit. It makes fantastic late harvest dessert wines. Gewürztraminer comes from the Italian for "spicy
Traminer" in the northwest of Italy. This grape is growing extensively through out California, Washington and Oregon.
Riesling
Unfortunately this grape has been much maligned in the wine community. It is favored to grow in many of the world's cooler wine growing climates. Riesling produces both light fresh perfumy table wines as well as rich sweet dessert wines with flavors of apricot and honey. Riesling is grown in France, Germany, Italy, Australia and through out the US including Colorado and Michigan.
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Muscat
These grapes have a distinctive musky aroma and a pronounced grapey flavor. They produce a wide range of wines from dry to sweet, still to sparkling and fortified wines.
Prosecco
Prosecco from the northeast (Venice area) yields some of Italy's delightful sparkling wines.
Rousanne
This grape contributes to the fine, delicate wine of Hermitage and Chateauneuf -du-Pape in France's Rhone Valley.
Semillon
Semillon is susceptible to botrytis, allowing the sugar content to concentrate, producing beautiful Sauternes and Barsecs. It has a bouquets of melon and figs, and is commonly used for blending in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, California and France.
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Coda di Volpe
This grape is gaining notoriety in today's market under the label of Lacryma Christi Del Vesuvio from southern Italy. The wine is golden in color, with a scent of white fruit and citrus peel. It shows excellent length and elegance.
Cortese
This grape is gaining popularity in Italy's Piedmont, as Cortese di Gavi. Until recently, it was grown mainly for use in the region's Asti
Spumante. Today these Gavis have a cleanly refined scent, dry flavor, pronounced acidity and a hint of fruit. This wine pairs beautifully with fresh fish.
Malvasia
Malvasia is well known in Italy and is capable of producing a variety of wines from dry, light and pale, to rich, aromatic and golden full-bodied wines. These wines tend to be stronger in the south and lighter in the north and center of the country. Malvasia gave its name to the sweetest style of Madeira.
Marsanne
This is a major blending grape of southern France where Hermitages and Chateneuf - de-Pape are vinted.. Marsanne makes full rich wines. It is also grown in California as a varietal.
Mueller - Thurgau
This grape is like a Riesling, but more prolific, and with a flowery bouquet and good fruit. It is grown in Germany. England and New Zealand.
Pinot Blanc
Produces fruity, well - balanced wines from Alsace.
Pinot Gris / Tokay d'Alsace
Pinot Gris produces succulent, rich, spicy and complex wines of great quality. The grapes also contribute to many sweet fortified wines through out the world.
Trebbiano / Ugni Blanc
Trebbiano is probably the world's top producing vine, not because it is the most widely planted, but because it is the most prolific. The grape itself is neutral, allowing it to be an excellent choice for blending. Although most well known in Italy, it is also used in France (Ugni Blanc) in the Midi and St-Emilion in Cognac. Trebbiano produces the light zesty wines under the label of Orvieto.
Verdelho
Verdelho is vinted into a medium dry to medium sweet style Golden Madeira. It tastes soft and ripe with an astringent finish.
Verdicchio
Grown in Italy, it produces light, lemony wines, sometimes lightly sparkling. This wine is a classic accompaniment to seafood.
Vernaccia
In the hills of Tuscany, Vernaccia is grown to produce wines by the name of Vernaccia de San Gimigano. These wines have a light and refreshing; harmonious style that gains complexity in French barrels.
Vermintino
This grape is grown in southern Italy and on the Island of Sardinia, producing dry, sweet and sparkling wines. Wines of a stronger character can be tasted in the "superiore" form.
Viognier
Produces heavily perfumed, sometimes peach and crème fraich flavored white wine. Used by French, Californian and Australian wine makers.
Xarello
This Spanish grape makes firm, alcoholic wines and is very important to the sparkling Cava of Spain. |
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