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What is Austria’s signature red grape?
Austria is best known for the quality of its white wines, made from both native Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. However, it also produces excellent red wines from local grape varieties such as Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch, as well as dessert wines made from welschriesling. In Austria, grape varieties don’t respect political boarders. If you want to know why, check out my…
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Can Bordeaux be a 100% Merlot?
Bordeaux wines are usually blends. Indeed, the weather can be rather unpredictable and above all changes is a lot from one year to another. This is called the vintage effect. Thus, relying on one grape variety to make the wine is often seen as a risky move. Merlot is the fourth most widely planted grape variety. It is believed to…
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What does Médoc taste like?
For those who’ve been following me for a while, you would know what kind of wine is a Médoc wine. If you’re new don’t worry, I’ll start by reminding you of the key points. First, let’s a clear up one thing : do not mix up the AOC Médoc and the geographical area. Indeed, the French have made it confusing…
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What are the primary grapes used in Saint- Emilion?
Saint-Emilion is an appellation in Bordeaux for red wines. It lies on the Right Bank, where blends are mostly Merlot-dominated blends. Indeed, the typicity of Bordeaux wines lies in the terroir effect, meaning matching the right grape to the right soil. Clay and limestone soils represent the vast majority of soils on the Right Bank which are perfect for Merlot.…
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Is Bordeaux similar to Malbec?
In France, wine are named by regions usually. Apart from Alsace, the grape variety will rarely appear on the wine label, at least at the place of wine’s name. Moreover, we can’t literally compare Bordeaux with Malbec seeing as the former is a region whereas the latter is a grape variety Additionally, Bordeaux wines are usually blends so they can…
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What makes Bordeaux wine special?
Bordeaux has become inescapable. Whenever there is a conversation going on about wines, Bordeaux’s name is bound to get out. If you’re at a tasting (with no theme), Bordeaux is going to be present. No restaurant or bar can open without having any Bordeaux wine. Bordeaux has become the reference and strongly influenced the New World in wine. But, what…
