Mourvèdre, Monastrell, Mataro — a grape of many names 
If you enjoy powerful, full-bodied, high-tannin red wines, Mourvèdre is a grape well worth your attention. You may already know it, though perhaps under a different name. Mourvèdre is the French name for this variety, and in France it is best known as a component of the famous southern Rhône blends, commonly referred to as GSM blends—after the first letters of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. It is also the backbone of the powerful red wines of Bandol in Provence. Under this same name, the variety is now known in the United States, South Africa, and several other countries. In Spain, the grape’s homeland, it is called Monastrell. In Portugal and Australia, it goes by the name Mataro. And these are only the three most widely used names—this variety has an astonishing number of synonyms, as if it were deliberately hiding that it is the same grape. Indeed, for centuries Mourvèdre / Monastrell / Mataro lived in the deep shadow of other, more fashionable varieties. Only now is it gradually stepping into the light.
Continue reading Mourvèdre, Monastrell, Mataro — a grape of many names
The Rising Star of Petit Verdot 
Petit Verdot, an ancient French grape variety that has spent centuries as a supporting player, is slowly stepping into the spotlight. More and more wine lovers are discovering a truly unusual wine that combines full body and high tannins with a vivid floral-fruity aroma. A well-made varietal Petit Verdot is a deeply colored, almost inky wine with powerful yet silky tannins, aromas of violet and lilac, flavors of black cherry and plum, and notes of pepper and spice, sometimes with touches of tobacco and leather.
Continue reading The Rising Star of Petit Verdot
Carménère 
Three grape varieties that originated in France have found a new homeland in South America, where they have flourished and become the flagship grapes of their respective countries. Today, Tannat represents Uruguay, Malbec symbolizes Argentina, and Carménère stands for Chile. The migration stories of Tannat and Malbec follow a fairly typical path, but the modern history of Carménère is a tale of human slip-up.
Continue reading Carménère
Tannat 
April 14 marks Tannat Day. If you like enjoying robust, full-bodied red wines, but you’re not yet familiar with this grape variety now is the time to take note of Tannat. Over the past two decades the presence of this grape in the global wine market has been steadily increasing.
Continue reading Tannat
Syrah 
Syrah, undeniably one of the grape world’s cornerstones, commands a distinguished place among the dozen most favored varieties, flourishing in vineyards across the globe. Originating from the Rhône Valley in France, Syrah reigns supreme as the primary grape in the production of North Rhône red wines.
Continue reading Syrah
Grenache 
September 17 is The International Grenache Day. So, it is a good time to say a couple of words about this interesting and beautiful grape variety.
Continue reading Grenache
Pinot Noir. Red grape – red, white, and rose wine 
Pinot Noir is one of the most popular red grape varieties in the world. Pinot Noir is a delicate and finicky grape, requiring special care and attention from winemakers. However, the effort pays off a hundredfold, as it produces remarkable wines. Pinot Noir is also unique in that it can yield red, white, or even rosé wine with equal distinction.
Continue reading Pinot Noir. Red grape – red, white, and rose wine
|
