Posts Tagged ‘wine regions’

So full disclosure, I’m not a native of California (although by some accounts I should be counted as such), but I’ve lived here for the past twenty two years….so I am partial to big, robust, powerful wines from Napa and Sonoma.

For the record, this is the classic comparison in the wine industry, largely because Bordeaux and Napa are the two preeminent wine regions in the world today and both focus on exactly the same type of grapes.

The differences are vast between the wines themselves though, largely because of the conditions that they are grown and produced in. To start weather is a vital concern in France as their grapes can, in some years, struggle to reach full ripeness because of inopportune cold spells in the summer. In Napa, there is no such cause for concern. The summers are almost always hot during the day and mild at night, perfect ripening conditions for grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon.

All of this is not to say that colder weather makes for bad wine, in fact far from it. Many people, myself included, believe that grapes which need to work harder to ripen often carry more intense flavors because they grow in small quantities as well as in smaller bunches.

The biggest difference between the two regions is tradition. In many parts of France winemaking has not changed much, if at all in the 1,600 years wine has been being made there. Often Americans are shocked by their wine tasting experiences in France because they arrive to find an old musty, dirty wine cellar that is producing some of the greatest wine they have ever had the opportunity to taste. They are also shocked when they find that tasting often comes directly from the barrel, with any unused wine being poured back into the barrel.

Compare this type of picture to what you can find in Napa where wineries have state of the art facilities. I do find it interesting that perhaps the most expensive facility in Napa, Vineyard 29, has spent so much money in order to produce wine in the most historic way possible. Their goal is to have a wine made without pumps, totally gravity driven….which despite all this technology is amazingly similar to what the French winemakers produce on a yearly basis in their antiquated facilities.

Add it all up, which wines do I prefer? Simple, depends on what I am eating. Honestly I do enjoy a great Bordeaux, especially when paired well with food, while I find it hard to believe that anything tastes better with a piece of grilled meat then a great California Cabernet Sauvignon.

Author: Mark A Aselstine
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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In each and every wine drinkers journey there comes a point where you want to learn more about specific wine regions and some of the wines and events which make them so special.

Burgundy is one wine region that is entirely complex and almost impossible to understand, however there are plenty of incredibly interesting people and stories which make the region what it is today. I’ve chosen some of the incredible highlights from Burgundy to share with you. From one of the most famous charity auctions in the world, to the inherent language barriers between French and English, there is a little here for everyone.

Evolution: One of the main factors that draws so many wine drinkers to Burgundy is its propensity to evolve in your glass. Often times people will find one or two flavors when they first try a glass, only to find that within ten to fifteen minutes other flavors have become more noticeable. When serving a fine Burgundy this type of evolution makes it imperative to neither top off glasses not decant very long before drinking.

Charity: Perhaps the most prestigious wine event in the world on a yearly basis is the Hospices de Beaune. An annual charity event in the Hotel Dieu, which was originally built in 1451 and now owns over 150 acres of vines, the auction raises money to benefit local hospitals.

Cote D’Or: Quick how does this translate? Often translated as golden slope, which many people believe is in reference to the fact that they vineyards turn golden in autumn…this is actually an incorrect assumption. Our modern term for this region is actually a shortening of the original term which means south facing. This is an important term in the area because all vines are planted on south facing slopes in order to catch every available minute of sunlight.

Language Barrier: No term in English quite comes close to terrior which is a combination of all the unique traits of the land which lead to the wine including soil, climate, rainfall, orientation etc etc. However, very few people are aware that no term in French is accurate for winemaker. The closest approximation is vine grower, which given the French wine industry and their obsession with terrior….might actually be accurate.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this short primer on some important facts in regards to wine from Burgundy and the events and facts associated with it. As always with wine, find what you like and drink it!

Author: Mark A Aselstine
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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