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- Oct 27, 2021
- 1 min
Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch is a dark skinned, late ripening grape produced all around eastern Europe and carries many different names. It is sometimes...
- Sep 1, 2021
- 2 min
Red Wines
If you have attended my classes, you know that I have a fairly concise description of the production process of red wines, It comes down...
- Aug 6, 2021
- 1 min
Carignan/Cariñena
Carignan is a grape varietal from the Rhone Valley in France, not as well known as Grenache or Syrah, it is usually a lesser ratio of the...
- Jul 31, 2021
- 1 min
Cinsault
Cinsault is yet another Rhone Valley grape used to make thick extracted red wines. As with the other Rhone varietals, Grenache, Syrah,...
- Jul 29, 2021
- 2 min
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is the grape that most frequently is associated with the wines of Rioja, Spain. Popular in the production of wines in Ribera...
- Jul 28, 2021
- 1 min
Barbera
Barbera is a purple skinned grape used to produce light bodied red wines in Piedmont, Italy as well as New world productions in...
- Jul 12, 2021
- 1 min
Carmenère
These days Carmenère is a grape varietal that many people may associate with Chile, although it is found all over the new world....
- Jul 10, 2021
- 2 min
Cabernet Sauvignon
Early in my restaurant career, I worked at a big budget steakhouse in Minneapolis, a couple of them actually. Cabernet Sauvignon...
- Jul 9, 2021
- 2 min
Malbec/Auxerrois
Malbec is from Bordeaux, France, where it is used as a blending grape in the Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the Medoc and the Merlot...
- Jul 8, 2021
- 3 min
Merlot
I find Merlot to be the red Chardonnay in some ways. Merlot is a French word, but not an intimidating one, and like Chardonnay that...
- Jul 7, 2021
- 2 min
Petit Verdot
You may have never seen a bottle labelled Petit Verdot, but you may have enjoyed a small amount in a blend. Seeking solo varietal, Petit...
- Jul 2, 2021
- 2 min
Grenache/Garnacha
Often blended with Syrah and Mourvedre especially in the Rhone Valley of France. Grenache stands alone very well. The grape does very...
- Jun 28, 2021
- 2 min
Zinfandel
Over the past decade, I have found that Zinfandel has become one of my favorite domestic grape varietals. It is definitely a United...
- Jun 17, 2021
- 2 min
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the principle grape in the wines of Tuscany, Italy. It is used to make Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino...
- Jun 14, 2021
- 2 min
Mourvedre/Monastrell
Mourvedre is one of the grapes used in the southern Rhone Valley, usually blended with Grenache, and Syrah. Though a small percentage of...
- Jun 13, 2021
- 2 min
Syrah/Shiraz
I just wrote the other day about Viognier, and I realized that almost all of my blog posts, thus far, have been about aromatic white...
- May 25, 2021
- 1 min
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the black grape of Burgundy France, it is produced all over the world and is the principle component in Champagne...
- Mar 30, 2021
- 1 min
Lagrein
My friend asked me the other day about Lagrein. She had never heard of the varietal before, and was ordering a selection of various wines...
- Mar 26, 2021
- 2 min
Cabernet Franc
People often ask me, “What is your favorite wine?” The question strikes me like “what is your favorite bodily organ?” I like each of them...