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The Grape Collections offer a distinct flavor and type of wine from each country. Each different type of grape offers a unique flavor and makes a very different type of wine. From popular grapes that are used the world over to more rare grapes that are used, you can choose from the type of grape that produces wines you enjoy in three levels – bronze, silver and gold.
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The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is a red grape that is one of the world’s most popularly planted grape varieties. The Cabernet Sauvignon is the principal grape in many Bordeaux wines and this grape is featured in many of the world’s greatest and richest wines. Cabernet Sauvignon wine, at its best, can improve its flavor in the bottle over decades and is still drinkable, and even better, after a century. |
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Pinot Noir is a finicky grape. It only grows in the right climate, with the right soils and the right care. Perhaps because it is so difficult is why it is so loved. Pinot Noir's home and the classic wines from the grape hail from Burgundy. Pinot is the only grape allowed for AOC wines of the region. It is also essential in Champagne, where it is one of the three main grapes of creating Champagne and sparkling wines in other regions. Pinot Noir mutates easily and so there are many different clones floating around in each wine region |
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Merlot is most famous in its homeland of Bordeaux in France, where it is used to make some of the world's greatest and most expensive wines. It is most suited to the right bank appellations of Pomerol and St Emilion, however it is also used in the prestigious left bank appellations of the Medoc to flesh out the mid palate of Cabernet dominant wines. Over the last ten years, plantings have rapidly expanded across the globe, most notably into California, South America, Italy, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. The one characteristic of Merlot that is universal is its fleshy, supple mid-palate. This is the reason it makes such a good blending component. Traditionally it has been blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, where its inclusion improves the balance and structure of a wine. Flavours of plums, red currant, mint, pimento, game, earth and leather can be found. Its tannins are invariably soft, making Merlot a good early drinking style, but this does limit its aging potential. Being medium bodied and restrained in style, Merlot suits French oak over American oak, due to its more subtle influence. Because of the soft, fleshy nature of Merlot, it partners food exceptionally well. Pasta, roasted meats or Mediterranean vegetables compliment the variety. For cheese, pate or game, try a Cabernet Merlot blend, where you can enjoy all the supple sweet fruit characters of Merlot, enhanced with some acidity and tannin from the Cabernet.
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The origins of this tremendously versatile and popular grape are not known for certain, although it is thought to have come from Southern Italy as a cousin of Primitivo. It is the most widely planted red grape in California (though Australia has also played around with the grape). Much of it is vinified into white Zinfandel, a blush-colored, slightly sweet wine. Real Zinfandel, the red wine, is the quintessential California wine. It has been used for blending with other grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. It has been made in a claret style, with berry and cherry flavors, mild tannins and pretty oak shadings. It has been made into a full-bodied, ultraripe, intensely flavored and firmly tannic wine designed to age. And it has been made into late-harvest and Port-style wines that feature very ripe, raisiny flavors, alcohol above 15 percent and chewy tannins. |
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The Syrah grape, also known as Shiraz in Australia, South Africa and Canada, is an offspring grape of two little known French grape varieties – Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Shiraz wines have the highest serving temperature of wines at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. |
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The Sangiovese grape is a red-wine grape that originated in Italy. The Sangiovese grape is most notably the main component of Tuscany’s Chianti blend, however many wine makers outside of Italy are beginning to use the Sangiovese grape in their wines. A youthful Sangiovese wine has a fruity flavor of strawberry coupled with a little spice, however when the wine is aged in barrels it takes on a beautiful and tasty oaky flavor. |
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Like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay can grow just about anywhere. It adapts well to different soils and different climates. While frequently paired with California, its native home lies in the vineyards of Burgundy, France. The only major white grape of the region, Chardonnay is at its best on the rolling slopes in Bourgogne. Other popular Chardonnay sites include California (just about everywhere), Oregon, Washington, Other US, Australia, South Africa, South America and New Zealand.
Chardonnay varies greatly with climate, soil and winemaking - but it adapts just about anywhere, which is what makes it so popular. Cooler climates like New Zealand and Chablis lead to crisp, acid-prone wines, while warmer climates like Southern California and Australia foster riper grapes that create heavier wine leaning towards tropical fruit flavors. So specific are the soils of Burgundy, the wines of the region show subtle notes of mineral and chalk that belie their origin. Chardonnay adapts itself to oak very well, as one may taste in many of the wines. |
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While Pinot Grigio is in fact the same grape as Pinot Gris (just the Italian take on it), the differences of wine they create can be immense. Pinot Gris' most popular and successful region is Alsace, France, an area of the country that actually puts the name of the grape on the label. Pinot Grigio is the Italian version of the grape, known for its light, crisp acidity. But wines from other regions usually term their wine Pinot Gris or Grigio based on the wine's flavor profile. Pinot Gris from Alsace creates rich, stone fruit-laden wines. They are perfumed and aromatic, and typically dry. It has round body and medium acidity. Take the grape a bit south to Italy, and it creates a very crisp, high-acid, citrus noted wine. Both are flavorful, but wine named Pinot Gris typically provides more body and rounder fruits while Pinot Grigio gives lighter-bodied, citrus fruits. Oregon and California are also growing the grape, Oregon having success with a more Alsacian style and California producing both. Winemakers often call the wine by the style they wish to replicate - for Italian style, look for Pinot Grigio, for the Alsacian style, look for Pinot Gris. In Alsace, Pinot Gris can also makes wine with some residual sugar. It's capable of creating delicious dessert wines in the region. |
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The Riesling grape is a white grape that is primarily used in northern Italy, Austria, Alsace France and Germany. Late harvest dessert wines are produced from Riesling grapes and are quite expensive – these wines are made with grapes that are left on the vine long past their normal picking time. Riesling wines contain more sugar, acid, flavor and complexity – wine made with Riesling grapes is fabulous to sip on as in ice wines and concentrated dessert wines. |
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A mutation of the Pinot family, Pinot Blanc was once commonly mistaken for Chardonnay - it looks quite similar on the vine. But true Pinot Blanc lacks most Chardonnay characteristics. The grape is most at home in Alsace, where it is used both in blends as well as a sole varietal. It's also found in Italy where it's called Pinot Bianco. Wine made from Pinot Blanc often has fuller-body, but it is not a grape known for its aromatics. The fragrance of a Pinot Blanc is typically neutral and subdued. The delicate aromas that are present are most often apples, pears, some minerality. It's a refreshing wine with good acidity. It is also the base variety for Cremant d'Alsace (the sparking wine of Alsace). |
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If you've ever smelled a lychee, you'll probably recognize a wine made from Gewurztraminer. Gewurz, the german term for spice, adequately describes the aromas and flavors that permeate wines made from the grape. Mostly grown in Alsace and Germany's Pfalz region, Gewurztraminer is not the easiest vine to tend. While it ripens quickly, it also needs some time on the vine to get all of its aromas and acids balanced - which, in turn makes it more suitable for cooler climates and constant attention. Acidity is the maker or breaker of this grape. The distinct aromas and flavors give the wine depth and body, but without good acid they can be cloying and flat. Most Gewurtztraminers are dry, but so heady in aromas and texture, that they can seem sweet to one's senses. You'll also notice that the wines are deep and rich in color - the skins of the Gewurtztraminer are pinkish-red. Other than lychee, typical descriptors of Gewurztraminer are roses and perfume. It's blend of fruits and acid make it a perfect match for spicy food like Indian and Thai. |
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There are many different varieties of grapes that are used throughout the world to make wine. While the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese and Riesling grapes are the most popular, there are many great wines that are made using these grapes combined with other types of grapes, or with other grapes completely. We would be remiss not to include this vast area of grapes and the wonderful wines that are included in these collections. |
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