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December 2008 - Wine Coolers
Another Great Wine Coolers 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.
Wine Coolers and More
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 ...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Wine Coolers Products we recommend
Blankiet Estate Napa Valley Merlot
"The 2002 Merlot was aged 18 months in new Taransaud barrels and bottled unfiltered. Its dark purple color is followed by a lovely bouquet of fudge, caramel, black cherries, plums, and smoke. Full-bodied, opulent, and rich, it is one of the finest Merlots made in California. Enjoy this dry red wine over the next 12-15 years." Great gift for wine lover! RP - 94 (Subject to Availability) BEM02 BEM02
Price: 215.99 USD
Headlines on Wine Coolers
New Yorkers Have Something to Wine About
Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:26:09 -0700
Instead of trekking out to California, Some New Yorkers are starting their own wineries right here in the city.
1000 Wines & 200 Wineries Compete at the Sonoma Harvest Fair
Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:09:48 -0700
If you live in the Bay Area you cannot miss this huge wine tasting event! Taste over 1000 wines from over 200 wineries all in one gigantic room! Meet winemakers and try out all the award winning wines from Sonoma County California Wine Country, the birthplace of Californian winemaking. The event takes place October 3rd, 4th and 5th in Santa Rosa CA
Historic Asti Winery Re-opens to the Public - Cellar No. 8
Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:51:47 -0700
Founded in 1881 as the Italian Swiss Colony by Italian and Swiss immigrants and later bought and renamed Asti Winery has opened it's doors to the public. Cellar No. 8 named after one the the famous Asti Cellars now pours wine in this historic tasting room and winery located in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County California.
Sauvignon Blanc
Wine Lover
Dessert Wine
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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
Wine Coolers and More
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 ...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Wine Coolers Products we recommend
Blankiet Estate Napa Valley Merlot
"The 2002 Merlot was aged 18 months in new Taransaud barrels and bottled unfiltered. Its dark purple color is followed by a lovely bouquet of fudge, caramel, black cherries, plums, and smoke. Full-bodied, opulent, and rich, it is one of the finest Merlots made in California. Enjoy this dry red wine over the next 12-15 years." Great gift for wine lover! RP - 94 (Subject to Availability) BEM02 BEM02
Price: 215.99 USD
Headlines on Wine Coolers
New Yorkers Have Something to Wine About
Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:26:09 -0700
Instead of trekking out to California, Some New Yorkers are starting their own wineries right here in the city.
1000 Wines & 200 Wineries Compete at the Sonoma Harvest Fair
Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:09:48 -0700
If you live in the Bay Area you cannot miss this huge wine tasting event! Taste over 1000 wines from over 200 wineries all in one gigantic room! Meet winemakers and try out all the award winning wines from Sonoma County California Wine Country, the birthplace of Californian winemaking. The event takes place October 3rd, 4th and 5th in Santa Rosa CA
Historic Asti Winery Re-opens to the Public - Cellar No. 8
Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:51:47 -0700
Founded in 1881 as the Italian Swiss Colony by Italian and Swiss immigrants and later bought and renamed Asti Winery has opened it's doors to the public. Cellar No. 8 named after one the the famous Asti Cellars now pours wine in this historic tasting room and winery located in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County California.
Sauvignon Blanc
Wine Lover
Dessert Wine
Labels: Wine Food | Wine Gift
