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- 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 30, 2021
- 1 min
Muscadelle
Last month, I wrote about Muscat also called Moscato. Last week I wrote about a grape called Melon de Bourgogne, produced in Muscadet, in...
- Jul 27, 2021
- 2 min
Aligoté
I am on a mission to enlighten people to a variety of wine producing grapes that do not get the attention that they deserve, but produce...
- Jul 20, 2021
- 1 min
Roussanne
One thing that I love about this project is how I get inspired to write about a grape, and I end up writing about the grapes frequently...
- Jul 18, 2021
- 2 min
Melon de Bourgogne
Melon de Bourgogne is rarely seen on the label of a wine bottle. The grape is used in the Loire Valley to produce the wines of Muscadet....
- Jul 16, 2021
- 1 min
Loire Valley, France
The Loire Valley is one of my favorite areas from which to source wines that win over guests to French wine. Loire wines are perhaps less...
- 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 5, 2021
- 1 min
Picpoul de Pinet
One easy way to impress a food and wine person is to show them something that they have likely not seen in the past. Picpoul de Pinet is...
- Jul 4, 2021
- 2 min
Alsace, France
Absolutely some of my favorite wines produced in the world come from Alsace, on the French German border. The region lies between the...
- 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 16, 2021
- 2 min
Chenin Blanc
Summer weather allows me to show more white wines to my guests, simply because it is hot, people who prefer red wines typically, seem to...
- 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...
- Jun 12, 2021
- 2 min
Viognier
I love aromatic white wines. Viognier is one of my favorites. I first learned of the grape as the varietal used in the production of...
- Jun 4, 2021
- 3 min
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a pretty popular white wine grape varietal, and one of my favorites to show in a compare and contrast style. Sauvignon...
- Jun 3, 2021
- 3 min
Ma Vie En Rosé
In 1999, I worked in Minneapolis at a Brasserie. I learned several things about France, and French culture. Three have stayed with me for...