Vitis Vinifera is the main grape used to make wine. The blanket name given to wine-making grapes is "noble grapes." These include white grapes and red grapes. The white grapes are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio. The red grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Grenache. These are just the main grapes. In reality, there are over one thousand different grape varieties.
Obviously, you can buy wine that comes from countries all over the world. However, these countries have been split into two categories. For the purpose of identification they are known as Old World and New World wine countries. Old World wine includes wine made in France, Germany, Spain, England, Romania, Austria, Greece and Italy. New World wines are made in countries that include Australia, new Zealand, America, Chile and Argentina.
Bordeaux is probably the most famous French region for making wine. It is particularly known for the way it classifies its wine. This system is over 150 years old and only applies to wine made on the left bank of the Dordogne river. It involves five levels of rating. This is applied to the top Chateaus of the area. France naturally has other famous wine regions. These include Alsace, Burgundy and Loire Valley.
Other famous wine regions include La Rioja in Spain. This region contains over 15,000 vineyards. It produces both red and white wine. However, the vast majority of its output is red wine. Chianti is the main wine region in Italy. Chianti Classico is a sub-region of the area and is highly favoured.
And now for a look at New World wine. California is one of the leading new world wine-making countries. Here the Napa and Sonoma Valleys are widely recognised as the leading wine-producing regions. The grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are said to be the most prevalent.
Australia is home to the famous brand of wine known as "Jacob's Creek." But it would be unfair to class this as Australia's prime wine export. The truth is it produces many premium New World wines. For example, Shiraz is grown in McLaren Valley and the Barossa Valley. Both of these regions are in the South of Australia. You can also find some lovely examples of Semillon in the Hunter Valley. This is located in New South Wales.
New Zealand is fast becoming as popular as Australia for their New World wines. It is mostly known for its Sauvignon Blanc. This is produced in large quantities in the Marlborough region. However, Pinot Noir is also becoming steadily more popular in the country. This is generally grown in Central Otago.
Obviously, you can buy wine that comes from countries all over the world. However, these countries have been split into two categories. For the purpose of identification they are known as Old World and New World wine countries. Old World wine includes wine made in France, Germany, Spain, England, Romania, Austria, Greece and Italy. New World wines are made in countries that include Australia, new Zealand, America, Chile and Argentina.
Bordeaux is probably the most famous French region for making wine. It is particularly known for the way it classifies its wine. This system is over 150 years old and only applies to wine made on the left bank of the Dordogne river. It involves five levels of rating. This is applied to the top Chateaus of the area. France naturally has other famous wine regions. These include Alsace, Burgundy and Loire Valley.
Other famous wine regions include La Rioja in Spain. This region contains over 15,000 vineyards. It produces both red and white wine. However, the vast majority of its output is red wine. Chianti is the main wine region in Italy. Chianti Classico is a sub-region of the area and is highly favoured.
And now for a look at New World wine. California is one of the leading new world wine-making countries. Here the Napa and Sonoma Valleys are widely recognised as the leading wine-producing regions. The grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are said to be the most prevalent.
Australia is home to the famous brand of wine known as "Jacob's Creek." But it would be unfair to class this as Australia's prime wine export. The truth is it produces many premium New World wines. For example, Shiraz is grown in McLaren Valley and the Barossa Valley. Both of these regions are in the South of Australia. You can also find some lovely examples of Semillon in the Hunter Valley. This is located in New South Wales.
New Zealand is fast becoming as popular as Australia for their New World wines. It is mostly known for its Sauvignon Blanc. This is produced in large quantities in the Marlborough region. However, Pinot Noir is also becoming steadily more popular in the country. This is generally grown in Central Otago.
No comments:
Post a Comment