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August 5, 2021

10 Most Popular Types of Wine

There can be no doubt that picking the right wine for yourself or for a dinner party can be a challenge. Just look at all those bottles on the shelves! It's red, white, sparkling... While it can be easy to choose the same bottle over and over again, variety is needed when entertaining. The following list helps you narrow down your choices so you can find something that everyone will enjoy. There are two broad types of wine - white and red. However, there are more than 10,000 varieties of grapes in the world. So we will narrow it down to the top 10 based on our research… Popular White Wines A white wine's color varies from straw yellow to yellow gold, with some varieties having a rich yellow-green hue. Usually, white wine is produced from green or yellow grapes, but some are also produced from darker grapes. It involves pressing grape juice while keeping the juice and skin separate. Chardonnay The grape called Chardonnay, which originates in Burgundy, is utilized to make this wine. Today, it is one of the most popular types of wine - it can be found everywhere. There are many different flavors that can be derived from it, depending on the region where it is grown and the way it is aged. Chardonnay can be either dry or sweet, and its acidity varies from medium-low to medium-high. A good Chardonnay will be oaked-aged and have a buttery mouthfeel. Chardonnay pairs well with creamy sauces or chicken dishes. Riesling This wine is fruity and aromatic. It pairs well with spicy foods, pork, duck, or shrimp. The winemaker avoids crushing or bruising grape skins in order to preserve the aroma, which could cause tannins to leak into the juice. Riesling is closely linked to the Rhine region. Although it was once thought of as only being produced in Germany, today it's grown across the globe, including New England and South Africa. Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc has a grassy flavor that sets it apart from other white wines. This wine is famously made by French winemakers in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. Sauvignon Blanc tends to be sweeter than other white wines, but it can also be crisp or dry. The best way to enjoy Sauvignon Blanc is chilled since it has a high acidity level and little tannin content. The primary flavors are gooseberry, grapefruit, passion fruit, and white peach. There is no doubt that it is one of the world's best-known and loved wines. It can also have tastes of spice and vanilla when it is aged in oak barrels. Although it tastes great with grilled chicken or vegetables, Sauvignon Blanc is also excellent paired with scallops and other shellfish. Pinot Grigio The Pinot Grigio wine is often dry, but can also be fruity. Its name is derived from the pine cone shape of the grapes from which it's made, which have a coppery color. It is grown all over the world, but especially in the Alsace (France), Victoria (Australia), Baden, Palatinate, and Rheinhessen (Germany), and Oregon and California in the US. Pinot Grigio pairs well with seafood, specifically shellfish. Muscat Blanc Wine lovers around the world enjoy Muscat Blanc for its sweet floral aromas. It pairs well with salads and fresh fruit and ages relatively quickly. It tends to have a low body and can be still or sparkling. Muscat grapes come in over 200 varieties. These are not only used to make white wine, but also for making rosé or black wine. Muscat is thought to have originated in Greece and was produced even in antiquity. There is also a fortified version available. Popular Red Wines The color of red wine can range from dark violet to brown, and some wines develop a beautiful brick red color. Dark grapes are used to make red wines, and the tastes they display are varied. It is hard to find a drink that can make dinner more exciting than red wine. Pinot Noir The versatility of Pinot Noir makes it a perfect choice for countless dinners around the world every evening. Light-bodied red wines don't get much more popular than Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir usually has fewer tannins than other red wines, which makes it less astringent. Pinot Noir grapes are also used to make Champagne, which may surprise some. Around the world, Pinot Noir grapes are grown, but turning them into wine is not an easy process because tightly-clustered grapes can rot. A good glass of Pinot Noir is a celebration of the winemaker's goal of capturing the essence of this wonderful grape. A great Pinot Noir usually has a long, lingering finish. This pairs best with wild game or veal. Syrah This wine has a full-bodied flavor and an aroma of blueberries or black plums. Syrah accentuates the flavor of spiced food and goes especially well with exotic spices. Climate greatly influences Syrah grapes, with hotter climates giving it a fruitier taste. Originally from Europe, Syrah later found a second home in Australia when introduced there in the 19th century. Today, Syrah is the most popular red grape in Australia. It's also called Shiraz. It is ideal for serving hearty and rich meat dishes, specifically venison. Cabernet Sauvignon All major winemaking regions grow Cabernet Sauvignon, from Lebanon's Beqaa Valley to California's Napa Valley. A true Cabernet Sauvignon flows best at room temperature with a full body and a dry taste that capture a few of the best characteristics of red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon improves as it ages, so if you lose a bottle in your cellar for a few years, you might be surprised at the results. French oak is usually used in the aging process, which gives wines dark fruit flavors that are accompanied by earthy aromas. A juicy steak or other red meat goes perfectly with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Malbec More than 65% of Malbec vineyards are located in Argentina, but you don't have to travel that far to enjoy this dark, fruity wine. Malbec is one of the most popular wines today, and you'll find it in many restaurants. Due to its acidity and fruity notes, it is a very easy to drink wine. With blue cheese, malbec's fruity flavor comes to life. Sangiovese Sangiovese, or "the blood of Jupiter," is a bone-dry wine type that grows mainly in Italy, and it is one of the best Tuscan varietals. Winemakers have plenty of space to experiment with Sangiovese because of its centuries-old tradition. During its youth, this wine is noted for its fresh strawberry flavor. If well-aged, its oaky taste delights. More recently, Sangiovese vineyards have been established in Argentina, Romania, and California. With any of the wines on this list, you can't go wrong. Start (or continue) your journey through the elegant and exciting world of red and white wines. Which one you will choose next thanksgiving?
August 6, 2021

Georgian Wine: What you need to know

The entire country is capable of producing wine, but each grape variety is grown in micro-zones that are scattered around the country. The most famous region for Georgian wine production, however, is Kakheti, which is divided into two micro-regions, Kvareli and Telavi. Then comes Imereti, Kartli, Svaneti, Adjara, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and Abkhazia. Traditional winemaking practices in Georgia use clay jars shaped like eggs called qvevri. The technique caught the attention of UNESCO, which has included it in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Georgian Grapes The traditional grape varieties of Georgia are less known worldwide. Despite the fact that the country has more than 500 different grape varieties, only 40 are used for making commercial wine. The same as French wines, Georgian wines are also named according to the region, village, or district from which they originate. Like French wines, Georgian wines are mainly made from blending different grape varieties together. Among the variety of wines offered here are sweet, dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, sparkling, and fortified. The 5 must-try grape varieties Kisi - which is amber in color due to its aging on the skins. It can also have a smoky, ripe yellow fruit taste. Mtsvane - which means "young and green" in Georgian, is a fruity, aromatic tea that often is blended with Rkatsiteli. Rkatsiteli - often amber-colored, bruised-fruit flavor and well structured. Saperavi - a plum-colored savory red wine that is initially smoky, then silky after decanting. Khikhvi - this grape yield high-quality traditional, qvevri-made wines with notes of ripe fruit or dried yellow fruit. Georgia is known as the "Cradle of Wine" The main wine-producing region of Georgia, Kakheti, is known as the "Cradle of Wine," because locals have been producing it for 8,000 years. Yes, that's right; The Georgian people have been growing vines on the Caucasus Mountains' slopes for more than 8,000 years. Later, they began exporting their wines, including the technology for making them, to the Ancient Greeks. In recent years, UNESCO has listed traditional Georgian winemaking on its list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Quite an accomplishment! The tarter the wine, the healthier it is That's true! Georgian wine is slightly healthier than regular wine. The tarter the wine, the healthier it is. You might also notice that many Georgian wines are amber in color. A great example is the Khikhvi vintage white dessert wine, which is amber, as well as the Kakheti and Gareji varieties. Aside from tartness, Georgian wines do not require sulfites, so the process is completely natural. Qvevri-making requires a great deal of skill Below you'll find a life-sized replica of the qvevri. In spite of the relatively smaller size of the qvevris used in winemaking, it still serves as a good measuring tool. Clay egg-shaped vessels have been used for winemaking in Georgia for at least 8,000 years. Due to the unique shape of the vessel, sediment sinks naturally to the bottom during fermentation, eliminating the need for sulfites. In the qvevri, the wine will mature for about six months, at which point it will be ready to be bottled. Check out our Georgian Wine Collections
August 7, 2021

Natural Wine vs. Organic Wine

What's the difference? In terms of sustainability and environmental stewardship, organic and natural wines have some similar values. Also, both have become much more popular dinner party topics. There are, however, important differences between organic and natural wines. To understand better, let me define each one. What is Natural Wine? Natural wine has no additives or processing, and the grapes used are pesticide-free. Moreover, it is bottled with minimal processing, with nothing added or removed. In this process, no additives are used and fermentation is minimally interfered with, creating a "living" bottle of wine. What is Organic Wine? Similarly, organic wine is made without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or fungicides, just like organic produce. Additionally, during the fermentation process, no chemicals, mainly sulfur dioxide, can be added as a preservative. Natural wine will always be organic, while organic wine may not always be natural.Real Fact How is this possible? Firstly, organic wine does have yeast added into it during fermentation, while natural wine does not. Secondly, organic wine does not necessarily utilize the same minimalistic processing technique as natural wine. How does organic wine taste compared to other wines? A study published in the American Association for Wine Economics, titled “Does Organic Wine Taste Better? An Analysis of Expert’s Ratings,” it was proved that organic wine tastes better than conventional wine. Wine experts taste-tested different wines and consistently marked organic wines better. On average, organic wines rated 4.1 points higher than non-organic wines. Check out our organic wine collection from different countries.

vintage wines collection

A collection ofv distinct, dark, rich wines from California that deliver a definitively bold wine experience like none you've had before.