You will find that one of the easiest ways to get to know your
way around wine
flavors is through grape varieties. Each grape variety has
specific characteristics. In some regions, one grape variety is
used to make a wine; in others, winemakers blend several
varieties in a single wine. To help you identify grape
varieties, below is an overview of each of the major red grapes
and their characteristics.
Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon is the big daddy of
the red wine world. It is like the Chardonnay, as it is widely
planted and distributed. The result of this is that there are so
many versions of this grape. Many people think of Cabernet
Sauvignon as being a wine that needs to age, but that is only
because the best red Bordeaux need age. Most non-premium
varieties are ready to go right away. Under ideal conditions, it
produces an aromatic, tannic wine that ages and evolves to be
both elegant and powerful. Perfectly balanced Bordeaux is one
that has classic notes of black-currants, cedar, cigar boxes,
pencils, mint and dark chocolate. Sounds delicious!
Gamay For the most part, you will find Gamay produced as
Beaujolais. It mainly grows on the hills in south Burgundy. The
aroma of a young Gamay is described as a wave of cherry and
strawberry fruit. On the palate, Gamay wines are bright and
crisp. They are moderate in alcohol and have very little tannin.
Wines from Gamay grapes are ideal for all kinds of foods.
Merlot Merlot started out as a Cabernet Sauvignon in
Bordeaux and has risen to international popularity. The great
wines of Pomerol and St. Emilion in Bordeaux are based on Merlot
with Cabernet in the blend. These wines show Merlot at its
toughest and most intense. Merlot´s popularity is because it is
softer, fruiter, and earlier maturing than Cabernet Sauvignon
and displays some of the same aromas along with mint, and
tobacco. In general, drink Merlot young.
Pinot Noir At its best Pinot Noir is beautiful with a
seductive silky texture and at its worst, it is heavy or flat. A
good mature Pinot Noir has complex flavors of strawberries,
raspberries, cranberries, violets, all-spice, tobacco and hay.
Pinot Noir is relatively low in tannin and acidity and needs a
cool climate to grow. Too much warmth, Pinot Noir can develop
baked together flavors, losing its elegance.
Sangiovese A taste of Sangiovese and you will immediately
conjure images of Italy. The name of the grape may not seem
familiar, but it is the principal variety behind Chianti,
Italy´s most famous red wine. It is taken very seriously in
Tuscany, and you will find it in California, Australia, and
Argentina. It is naturally tannic and is best used in a blend,
usually with Cabernet Sauvignon. It requires a hot climate in
order to produce its required richness and alcohol content. In
cooler climates, it tends to have sharp and bitter tannins.
Syrah Called Shiraz in Australia and South Africa, Syrah
is one of the greats of southeastern France's Rhone Valley
grape. At home in France, it produces wines that are smoky,
herby, and austere. Australian Shiraz tends to be richer, softer
with a leathery quality and personally one of my favorites. All
Syrah/Shiraz need a year or two from the vintage to hit its
stride. Top wines will last about ten years.
Zinfandel It is disputable where this grape originated,
but it is indisputably California's grape today, with almost no
winemakers in other places producing it. The best Zinfandel is
spicy and heartwarming. Other styles range from off white to
high intensity sweet wines. Try a bottle not more than three or
four years old, because that's when the Zinfandel character is
strongest.
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