You can find over 1000 different kind of grapes used in wine-making. However, the noble grapes are those primarily used in the process. Noble includes both red and white grapes. The main white grapes will have very familiar-sounding names. These include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling. The red noble grapes are also all widely-known. They are Merlot, Syrah (also known as Shiraz), Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Pinot Noir.
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.
In France the most famous wine-producing region is Bordeaux. Here the red wine is often referred to as Claret. The region is also famous for having the oldest system of wine classification. It dates back to 1855. It consists of ranking the top Chateaus into five stages. However, this is only used on the left bank of the Dordogne. Burgundy is another notorious French wine-making region. Burgundy is famed for producing Chablis. This is a white wine made from the Chardonnay grape.
Spain's equivalent of Bordeaux is known as La Rioja. It is sub-divided into three further areas. These are Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. The wine made in La Rioja is a mixture of red, white and ros. However, red is the predominant wine produced there. Italy's equivalent wine-region is Chianti. This is located in central Tuscany.
We shall focus on New World wine now. California is one of the biggest New World wine-producing regions. Most wine is produced in Napa or the Sonoma Valley. Cabernet and Zinfadel are commonly grown here. However, California has also established a reputation for numerous varieties of Chardonnay. Many examples are deemed as being over-oaked and bloated.
In Australia the most famous brand of wine is called Jacob's Creek. However, the country has many famed wine-making regions. These include McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley. Both of these are located in Southern Australia. The main grape that is cultivated here is Shiraz. The Hunter Valley is another famed wine region. It is situated in New South Wales and is known for producing Semillon. This is also produced in the Margaret River region of Western Australia.
New Zealand is another New World country making waves with their quality offerings. Most of their output is a fresh tasting Sauvignon Blanc. This is made and bottled in the Marlborough region. Pinot Noir is also becoming popular. It is cultivated in the Central Otago region of the country.
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.
In France the most famous wine-producing region is Bordeaux. Here the red wine is often referred to as Claret. The region is also famous for having the oldest system of wine classification. It dates back to 1855. It consists of ranking the top Chateaus into five stages. However, this is only used on the left bank of the Dordogne. Burgundy is another notorious French wine-making region. Burgundy is famed for producing Chablis. This is a white wine made from the Chardonnay grape.
Spain's equivalent of Bordeaux is known as La Rioja. It is sub-divided into three further areas. These are Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. The wine made in La Rioja is a mixture of red, white and ros. However, red is the predominant wine produced there. Italy's equivalent wine-region is Chianti. This is located in central Tuscany.
We shall focus on New World wine now. California is one of the biggest New World wine-producing regions. Most wine is produced in Napa or the Sonoma Valley. Cabernet and Zinfadel are commonly grown here. However, California has also established a reputation for numerous varieties of Chardonnay. Many examples are deemed as being over-oaked and bloated.
In Australia the most famous brand of wine is called Jacob's Creek. However, the country has many famed wine-making regions. These include McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley. Both of these are located in Southern Australia. The main grape that is cultivated here is Shiraz. The Hunter Valley is another famed wine region. It is situated in New South Wales and is known for producing Semillon. This is also produced in the Margaret River region of Western Australia.
New Zealand is another New World country making waves with their quality offerings. Most of their output is a fresh tasting Sauvignon Blanc. This is made and bottled in the Marlborough region. Pinot Noir is also becoming popular. It is cultivated in the Central Otago region of the country.
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There are plenty of mail order wine resources as well as fine wine london outlets where you can purchase prime examples of the wines mentioned in this article.
