-
Moscato / Moscato D’asti Guide
admin
Muscat Blanc is the Moscato used in Italy for Moscato d’Asti and Spumante, both light and fizzy wines. It also creates the Muscat d’Alsace of France, which is often made in the dry style. Muscat Blanc can also be found in the deliciously sweet wines of Beaumes-de-Venise in the south of France. The Muscat of…
-
Merlot Guide
admin
The grape exudes soft fruit flavors of plum and blackberry, but it’s versatile – the style can change depending on the climate and soil. Merlot from mountain areas are usually more Cabernet like, with stronger structure and tannins; while Merlot from valley floor areas and clay-based soils are opulent, with velvety textures, often approachable when…
-
Malbec Guide
admin
Malbec is used in small amounts in Bordeaux blends to add color and tannin. In Cahors, where it is also known as “cot,” the grape makes wines there that are full-bodied and able to mature – these wines are dark and sometimes gamey, but delicious – they like to call it the “black” wine of…
-
Chenin Blanc Guide
admin
Soils are often the defining factor of a Chenin style. In the Loire, the heavier, clay-based soils are best for fostering late ripening, sweet Chenin Blanc – the chalky, more limestone-based soils are responsible for many of the lighter, crisper styles of the grape. Sweet Chenin Blanc is sometimes affected by botrytis, the mold that…
-
Chardonnay Guide
admin
Chardonnay varies greatly with climate, soil and winemaking, but it adapts just about anywhere, which is what makes it so popular. Cooler climates like New Zealand and Chablis lead to crisp, acid-prone wines, while warmer climates like southern California and Australia foster riper grapes that create heavier wine leaning towards tropical fruit flavors. So specific…
-
Carménère Guide
admin
Carménère is yet another grape that was eventually exiled from the Bordeaux blend. In the late 1800s, Carménère was brought over to Chile from France, and it never turned back. For a while, Chilean growers thought this grape was Merlot and labeled their wines as such. But in the early nineties, thanks to DNA testing,…
-
Cabernet Sauvignon Guide
admin
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is a small berry with a thick skin and a high pip to pulp ratio. This in turn creates a wine high in color, tannin and extract. Typical Cabernet Sauvignon descriptors include blackberry, cassis, cedar and currant. Because the grape adapts to many different soils and climates, its characteristics truly reflect…
-
Bordeaux Guide
admin
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. These five red grapes are the components of a classic Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot usually play the lead role, while Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot act as the supporting cast. These three grapes help to add color, structure and body in varying amounts.…
-
Whiskey Guide
admin
Whiskey Whiskey is a spirit made from a fermented mash of grain, distilled under 190 poof and stored in oak barrels before bottling at no less than 80 proof or 40% abv. (alcohol by volume). Whiskey must be made exclusively from grains, either as a single grain or a blend. Barley, corn, rye, and wheat…
-
Vodka Guide
admin
Vodka Guide Vodka is a clear, unaged spirit that is often considered to be completely neutral – without distinct characteristics, flavor, color, or aroma. Source ingredients can range from grains such as rye and wheat, to potatoes, grapes, and sugarcane. Vodka is distilled to 190 proof or higher, before being reduced to a bottling strength…
Search
Category
- Spirits Guide (7)
- Wine Guide (18)
Recent Post
- Zinfandel Guideby admin
- Tempranillo Guideby admin
- Syrah / Shiraz Guideby admin
- Sauvignon Blanc Guideby admin
- Sangiovese Guideby admin