5:21 PM
Wednesday January 28, 2009 - Wine Class
A Featured Wine Class Article
Which is for You - Blended or Varietal Wines?Darby Higgs
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does it matter?
At the basic level, the difference is quite simple. Varietal wines are made from a single grape variety, while blended wines are made using two or more. The most obvious example is the difference between the two great red wine styles of France. Burgundy red wine is composed of the single variety Pinot noir. Bordeaux red wines are most often blends of up to five varieties, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit verdot. There are a few Bordeaux wines made from a single variety, but they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
So much for theory. The distinction between varietal and blended wines is less clear in practice. Many varietal wines are made from blends of wine grown in several regions. Australias iconic Grange is such an example. Each year hundreds of samples from many vineyards are tasted and evaluated before the final blend is decided upon. The result is a blend of regions, rather than varieties.
Many more modest Australian wines with to fame are also regional blends. The process of selecting the blend is similar but much more simplified. The clue on the label is often the words wine of South Eastern Australia. This is almost as general a statement that you can get about the origins of an Australian wine.
Some wines made from a single variety are blends of several different vintages, but this is quite rare for table wines.
While on the topic of labels, you should be aware that many wines bearing a single varietal name can legally contain up to fifteen percent of other varieties. If the wine is labelled as a blend, then the variety with the largest percentage composition should be named first, for example wine labelled Cabernet Merlot, should contain a greater percentage of Cabernet than Merlot.
Our second question is does it matter? Well, if you find a wine that you enjoy and it is a blend, then you should continue to drink it. However if you wish to extend your wine knowledge and thus enhance your wine experience you should try varietal wines whenever possible. There are hundreds of varietal wines available, each with a special subtle difference waiting for you to discover.
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does it matter?
At the basic level, the difference is quite simple. Varietal wines are made from a single grape variety, while blended wines are made using two or more. The most obvious example is the difference between the two great red wine styles of France. Burgundy red wine is composed of the single variety Pinot noir. Bordeaux red wines are most often blends of up to five varieties, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit verdot. There are a few Bordeaux wines made from a single variety, but they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
So much for theory. The distinction between varietal and blended wines is less clear in practice. Many varietal wines are made from blends of wine grown in several regions. Australias iconic Grange is such an example. Each year hundreds of samples from many vineyards are tasted and evaluated before the final blend is decided upon. The result is a blend of regions, rather than varieties.
Many more modest Australian wines with to fame are also regional blends. The process of selecting the blend is similar but much more simplified. The clue on the label is often the words wine of South Eastern Australia. This is almost as general a statement that you can get about the origins of an Australian wine.
Some wines made from a single variety are blends of several different vintages, but this is quite rare for table wines.
While on the topic of labels, you should be aware that many wines bearing a single varietal name can legally contain up to fifteen percent of other varieties. If the wine is labelled as a blend, then the variety with the largest percentage composition should be named first, for example wine labelled Cabernet Merlot, should contain a greater percentage of Cabernet than Merlot.
Our second question is does it matter? Well, if you find a wine that you enjoy and it is a blend, then you should continue to drink it. However if you wish to extend your wine knowledge and thus enhance your wine experience you should try varietal wines whenever possible. There are hundreds of varietal wines available, each with a special subtle difference waiting for you to discover.
A synopsis on Wine Class.
Which is for You - Blended or Varietal Wines?Darby Higgs
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does ...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Featured Wine Class Items
Riedel Cabernet 1/2 Bottle Wine Decanter
Own a prestigious Riedel wine decanter for less than $40. The Riedel Cabernet Wine Decanter combines the quality design and world-class appeal of Riedel at an affordable price. Made of 24% lead crystal this exquisite decanter has an elegant base that ensures maximum aeration of your wines and an open spout for drip-free pouring. The minimalist design of the decanter puts the focus on your fine wines. Accommodates half wine bottles. Perfectly designed to fit our small wine decanter glass stopper. 9¼'H. 32 oz. Attention California residents. Proposition 65 WARNING.
Price: 39.90 USD
Current Wine Class News
SANTA BARBARA: ‘Fallujah’ soars, Thomas Vanguarded
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:41:00 -0800
Something of a slow day today at the festival — well, I purposely put the breaks on in favor of some quality time with you guys throughout the day and to put my feet up for a spell at the ole’ homestead.Anyway, I was really taken with Mark Manning’s “The Road to Fallujah,” an Iraq war documentary that played at Sundance last week and had its California debut this evening at the Arlington Theatre. There was a nice turn-out, largely because Manning is a local (the first Santa Barbaran, in fact, t
Colour Psychology for Business
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:38:19 -0800
Yes, we all know yellow means happiness and green represents nature, but what about colour association for business? Anne Ward, colour consultant for over 15 years, explains why colour choice is crucial for businesses to get right.“In the corporate world, you have to use colours that are attractive to potential customers. You need eye-catching colours that are noticed and remembered, so that when the customer thinks of those colours, they are reminded of your brand. Why else would Cadbury tradem
food & wine CALENDAR (Fort Myers Florida Weekly)
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:54:09 -0800
. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 5:30-8 p.m., Tastings - A Wine Experience: Wine tasting featuring Rhone varietals, $15, Gulf Coast Town Center, Fort Myers. Call 466-8800. . Thursday, Jan. 29, noon-2 p.m.
Urban Gourmet mmmm Masa & Asado Class Mar. 9th
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:56:02 -0800
Previous Post: Urban Gourmet Thai Class With Chef Jaron Witsoe Mar.6 MON, MAR 9 20096:00PM $65~mmmmmmmmmm Masa & AsadoAnother amazing class by Chef JoelMenu: Butternut Squash Soup~ Caramelized apples Pomegranate, orange, mint and cucumber salad w/ Dungeness Crab~Herbed and Peppered Shoulder Tender Medallions~Parsnip Potato Puree~Living Watercress, sweet onion vinaigrette. An Appearance by Pastry Chef Carlos and his Seasonal Dessert
Urban Gourmet Thai Class With Chef Jaron Witsoe Mar.6
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:32:34 -0800
Previous Post: Urban Gourmet Knife Sharpening Event Feb.14th Next Post: Urban Gourmet mmmm Masa & Asado Class Mar. 9th184FRI, MAR 6 20096:00PMTHAI Jaron, Our Iron Chef winner, will teach you how easy it is to create a Thai feast. Menu will be posted soon but you can be assured it will be fabulous! ~Wine Pairings ~ $65- urbangourmettacoma.com 253-272-3111 Posted in Classes and Learn and Talk and Thai and blog and cooking and food talk 1 hour, 21 minutes ago at 5:32 pm. Add a com
TCM Pick O’ The Day: Wednesday, January 28th
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:14:39 -0800
by John Nolte 7pm PST -Prisoner of Second Avenue, The (1975) - A suddenly unemployed executive and his understanding wife must adapt to their new life. Cast:Jack Lemmon, Elizabeth Wilson, Anne Bancroft, Gene SaksDir:Melvin Frank BW-98 mins, TV-PGTCM’s Star of the Month is the irreplaceable Jack Lemmon, who died in 2001, and I’m still not over it.“The Prisoner of Second Avenue” ranks among Neil Simon’s finest works thanks to his dynamite script, Lemmon’s central per
Urban Gourmet mmmmmmm Masa & Asados Class
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:14:53 -0800
Previous Post: Urban Gourmet Mandarin Class With Chef Jaron/ Jan.30 Next Post: Urban Gourmet Valentine Dinner Class Feb. 7thChef Joel has come up with another amazing menu representing the cuisines of Masa & Asados.Menu: Roasted Pablano and maple rissoto~Arugala and pink peppered Grapefruit Salad w/ sweet vinaigrette & pistachios~Seared Duck Breast w/Carrot Ginger Puree Cranberry and Orange jam~Madagascar Vanilla Ice Cream ~Wine Pairings~ Mon. Feb.2 6-9 PM $65-urbangourmettacoma.com
Gift Ideas
Dry Wine | Dutty Wine
Which is for You - Blended or Varietal Wines?Darby Higgs
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does it matter?
At the basic level, the difference is quite simple. Varietal wines are made from a single grape variety, while blended wines are made using two or more. The most obvious example is the difference between the two great red wine styles of France. Burgundy red wine is composed of the single variety Pinot noir. Bordeaux red wines are most often blends of up to five varieties, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit verdot. There are a few Bordeaux wines made from a single variety, but they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
So much for theory. The distinction between varietal and blended wines is less clear in practice. Many varietal wines are made from blends of wine grown in several regions. Australias iconic Grange is such an example. Each year hundreds of samples from many vineyards are tasted and evaluated before the final blend is decided upon. The result is a blend of regions, rather than varieties.
Many more modest Australian wines with to fame are also regional blends. The process of selecting the blend is similar but much more simplified. The clue on the label is often the words wine of South Eastern Australia. This is almost as general a statement that you can get about the origins of an Australian wine.
Some wines made from a single variety are blends of several different vintages, but this is quite rare for table wines.
While on the topic of labels, you should be aware that many wines bearing a single varietal name can legally contain up to fifteen percent of other varieties. If the wine is labelled as a blend, then the variety with the largest percentage composition should be named first, for example wine labelled Cabernet Merlot, should contain a greater percentage of Cabernet than Merlot.
Our second question is does it matter? Well, if you find a wine that you enjoy and it is a blend, then you should continue to drink it. However if you wish to extend your wine knowledge and thus enhance your wine experience you should try varietal wines whenever possible. There are hundreds of varietal wines available, each with a special subtle difference waiting for you to discover.
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does it matter?
At the basic level, the difference is quite simple. Varietal wines are made from a single grape variety, while blended wines are made using two or more. The most obvious example is the difference between the two great red wine styles of France. Burgundy red wine is composed of the single variety Pinot noir. Bordeaux red wines are most often blends of up to five varieties, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit verdot. There are a few Bordeaux wines made from a single variety, but they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
So much for theory. The distinction between varietal and blended wines is less clear in practice. Many varietal wines are made from blends of wine grown in several regions. Australias iconic Grange is such an example. Each year hundreds of samples from many vineyards are tasted and evaluated before the final blend is decided upon. The result is a blend of regions, rather than varieties.
Many more modest Australian wines with to fame are also regional blends. The process of selecting the blend is similar but much more simplified. The clue on the label is often the words wine of South Eastern Australia. This is almost as general a statement that you can get about the origins of an Australian wine.
Some wines made from a single variety are blends of several different vintages, but this is quite rare for table wines.
While on the topic of labels, you should be aware that many wines bearing a single varietal name can legally contain up to fifteen percent of other varieties. If the wine is labelled as a blend, then the variety with the largest percentage composition should be named first, for example wine labelled Cabernet Merlot, should contain a greater percentage of Cabernet than Merlot.
Our second question is does it matter? Well, if you find a wine that you enjoy and it is a blend, then you should continue to drink it. However if you wish to extend your wine knowledge and thus enhance your wine experience you should try varietal wines whenever possible. There are hundreds of varietal wines available, each with a special subtle difference waiting for you to discover.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darby Higgs is an expert on Australian wines made from unusual and rare grape varieties. He is the manager of the Vinodiversity website at http://www.vinodiversity.com
A synopsis on Wine Class.
Which is for You - Blended or Varietal Wines?Darby Higgs
Novice wine lovers soon come across the concept of blended and varietal wines. The two questions that spring to mind are, what does it mean? and does ...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Featured Wine Class Items
Riedel Cabernet 1/2 Bottle Wine Decanter
Own a prestigious Riedel wine decanter for less than $40. The Riedel Cabernet Wine Decanter combines the quality design and world-class appeal of Riedel at an affordable price. Made of 24% lead crystal this exquisite decanter has an elegant base that ensures maximum aeration of your wines and an open spout for drip-free pouring. The minimalist design of the decanter puts the focus on your fine wines. Accommodates half wine bottles. Perfectly designed to fit our small wine decanter glass stopper. 9¼'H. 32 oz. Attention California residents. Proposition 65 WARNING.
Price: 39.90 USD
Current Wine Class News
SANTA BARBARA: ‘Fallujah’ soars, Thomas Vanguarded
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:41:00 -0800
Something of a slow day today at the festival — well, I purposely put the breaks on in favor of some quality time with you guys throughout the day and to put my feet up for a spell at the ole’ homestead.Anyway, I was really taken with Mark Manning’s “The Road to Fallujah,” an Iraq war documentary that played at Sundance last week and had its California debut this evening at the Arlington Theatre. There was a nice turn-out, largely because Manning is a local (the first Santa Barbaran, in fact, t
Colour Psychology for Business
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:38:19 -0800
Yes, we all know yellow means happiness and green represents nature, but what about colour association for business? Anne Ward, colour consultant for over 15 years, explains why colour choice is crucial for businesses to get right.“In the corporate world, you have to use colours that are attractive to potential customers. You need eye-catching colours that are noticed and remembered, so that when the customer thinks of those colours, they are reminded of your brand. Why else would Cadbury tradem
food & wine CALENDAR (Fort Myers Florida Weekly)
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:54:09 -0800
. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 5:30-8 p.m., Tastings - A Wine Experience: Wine tasting featuring Rhone varietals, $15, Gulf Coast Town Center, Fort Myers. Call 466-8800. . Thursday, Jan. 29, noon-2 p.m.
Urban Gourmet mmmm Masa & Asado Class Mar. 9th
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:56:02 -0800
Previous Post: Urban Gourmet Thai Class With Chef Jaron Witsoe Mar.6 MON, MAR 9 20096:00PM $65~mmmmmmmmmm Masa & AsadoAnother amazing class by Chef JoelMenu: Butternut Squash Soup~ Caramelized apples Pomegranate, orange, mint and cucumber salad w/ Dungeness Crab~Herbed and Peppered Shoulder Tender Medallions~Parsnip Potato Puree~Living Watercress, sweet onion vinaigrette. An Appearance by Pastry Chef Carlos and his Seasonal Dessert
Urban Gourmet Thai Class With Chef Jaron Witsoe Mar.6
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:32:34 -0800
Previous Post: Urban Gourmet Knife Sharpening Event Feb.14th Next Post: Urban Gourmet mmmm Masa & Asado Class Mar. 9th184FRI, MAR 6 20096:00PMTHAI Jaron, Our Iron Chef winner, will teach you how easy it is to create a Thai feast. Menu will be posted soon but you can be assured it will be fabulous! ~Wine Pairings ~ $65- urbangourmettacoma.com 253-272-3111 Posted in Classes and Learn and Talk and Thai and blog and cooking and food talk 1 hour, 21 minutes ago at 5:32 pm. Add a com
TCM Pick O’ The Day: Wednesday, January 28th
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:14:39 -0800
by John Nolte 7pm PST -Prisoner of Second Avenue, The (1975) - A suddenly unemployed executive and his understanding wife must adapt to their new life. Cast:Jack Lemmon, Elizabeth Wilson, Anne Bancroft, Gene SaksDir:Melvin Frank BW-98 mins, TV-PGTCM’s Star of the Month is the irreplaceable Jack Lemmon, who died in 2001, and I’m still not over it.“The Prisoner of Second Avenue” ranks among Neil Simon’s finest works thanks to his dynamite script, Lemmon’s central per
Urban Gourmet mmmmmmm Masa & Asados Class
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:14:53 -0800
Previous Post: Urban Gourmet Mandarin Class With Chef Jaron/ Jan.30 Next Post: Urban Gourmet Valentine Dinner Class Feb. 7thChef Joel has come up with another amazing menu representing the cuisines of Masa & Asados.Menu: Roasted Pablano and maple rissoto~Arugala and pink peppered Grapefruit Salad w/ sweet vinaigrette & pistachios~Seared Duck Breast w/Carrot Ginger Puree Cranberry and Orange jam~Madagascar Vanilla Ice Cream ~Wine Pairings~ Mon. Feb.2 6-9 PM $65-urbangourmettacoma.com
Gift Ideas
Dry Wine | Dutty Wine
Labels: Dutty Wine | Elderberry Wine
