Some Important Wine Making Tips

So, you have decided you would like to have a bash at making your own wine.  You also want to do it properly, and turn out some really great tasting quality wine.  The first thing you must do, is some research, to learn the basics of the art, as there are a few fundamental tasks you should perform if you want to stand a good chance of ending up with a fine tasting product.

When wine making it is extremely important to ensure that any equipment you use is sanitized, I don’t just mean clean, I mean free of any bacteria whatsoever.  To do this you need to obtain some special solutions which are freely available.  It is a good idea to become obsessed with cleanliness in your wine making operations, so as not to slow the fermentation process down.

If you are a beginner, make sure you get hold of a good recipe and then follow it religiously.  As ever, the internet is a great place to look for recipes, as there are quite a few good sites that are dedicated to the art of wine making.

One piece of equipment you will need is called a hydrometer, and fortunately these are not expensive.  You use a hydrometer to measure the progress of the fermentation process.  You can also use it to help you find out the alcohol content by taking a reading at the start of fermentation, and then taking another one at the end.

It is absolutely critical that you use a thermometer and maintain the correct temperature in the room where you are fermenting the wine.  If the temperature is too high it will ferment too quickly and you will probably end up with the wine not tasting very good, and you will also run the risk of bacteria growth.  If, on the other hand the temperature is too low, the wine will take too long to ferment or even not ferment at all.  The correct temperature is in the range of seventy to seventy five.

Last but not least, during the wine making process you must ensure your wine is not exposed to too much air, as this will cause oxidization which discolors the wine and gives it an odd flavor.

Learn To Purchase Wine Online Easily

Creating the perfect mix between wine and food can be a challenge if you're not entirely sure what you're doing.  With such an array of wine and food available there are always many options to consider.  When planning a dinner, choose combinations that are popular with a wide range of people.  You should always ensure that the wine doesn't overpower the dish, and you also need to avoid flavor transferring.  This occurs when a flavor is passed from the wine to a meal, as it can result in an unpleasant taste.

Buying wine online is steadily gaining popularity as everything else on the internet.  The internet offers a convenient means to order wine from the comforts of home.  However, due to the nature of wine, there are issues you must consider when purchasing wine online.  This is especially true if you are new to purchasing anything online.

1. Legal issues.  Some states will require you to provide identification as to whether you are of legal age.  Some states prohibit the delivery of wine products across different states.  Also make sure you read the purchase agreements between you and the online store.  Don't hesitate to ask questions or make your expectations known.  Most online stores have support e-addresses to contact in this case.  Make sure the seller has a return guarantee on bad wine.

2. Reliability of the online store.  Most people, when new to purchasing online, are tentative regarding online payments and orders.  For added security, you should make follow up confirmations through phone and fax.  If the company you are purchasing wine from doesn't have numbers regarding such, skip that company and look for others that do.

   The reason for this is not just to calm your nerves regarding online purchases, but also to promote good business habits.  You never know if there has been any technical or clerical errors regarding your order.

   You may alternately contact business bureaus and similar organizations within your state to make sure that the company you are dealing with is legitimate and in good standing.

3. Shipping.  Shipping may add a significant amount to your purchase so make sure you consider the shipping costs of each delivery.  If your online store doesn't mention the price of the shipping, it would be wise for you to find out.

4. Look at auctions.  When you get comfortable with the ins and outs of online purchasing -- and feel sufficiently secure in you dealing and buying skills, you may want to look at online wine auctions and sales.  Although they pose a significant risk to buyers (as do all auctions), they present the greatest chance for you to purchase vintage wines at affordable costs.

When doing so, you will have to increase your care ten-fold.  However, the payoff for such activities is so big;  you might just about find yourself stalking the internet for such deals.

The internet is fast becoming the next supermarket.  Although it pays to ease into it gently, it remains the trend of the future, so why not jump in now?

White Wine:  When creating a wine and food combination, Chardonnay is best complimented with Veal, Salmon, grilled cheese and white sauce.  You should avoid spicy foods with this drink.  Gewurztraminer is ideal when matched with Pork, Chinese foods and Swiss cheese but must be avoided with light foods.  Pinot Grigio is not an ideal option for Tomatoes and spicy food as this combination may create a rather unpleasant taste.  Riesling is a very dry wine and perfect when teamed with Veal, Shrimp, cream sauces and Turkey.  Sweet food should be avoided with Riesling and Sancerre however.

Knowing Australian Wines

Drink the wine that you like.

Sounds obvious, doesn't it?  Sometimes, however, we get so caught up in what is the right wine and what is the wrong wine that we forget the most important thing:  we have taste!  We have our own individual taste and love drinking the wine we love to drink.  Sure, certain wines traditionally match certain foods and flavors, but ultimately you are the judge of what you like to drink, no matter what the enologists say!

Australian wines are made from a careful perfection of fermentation and patience to produce great tasting wine.  The country's vast land produces different kinds of wines where tasting each wine makes it harder to believe that they were made from the same country.

Here are the different types of Australian wines that are most popular on the market today:

1. White wines have extraordinary and a unique taste that still stands out among the others.  They vary in color based from what part of the country they were made.  Since Australia is an enormous country, temperature may vary too, which produces Australian white wines that vary in different color hues of yellow when poured in a glass.  The deeper the hue, the richer the flavor is.  The technique of swirling the glass around and sniffing it will give you a faint smell of fully ripened grapes.
2. Red wines have an unbeatable classic taste.  The countries different climate conditions produce different Red wine tastes.  Warmer climate regions produce more flavorful, richer and warmer tastes.  While cooler climate regions produce lighter, cooler and more delicate tastes.
3. Fortified wines have a longer process of fermentation compared to any other variety of wine.  It is usually blended with brandy to emphasize the wine's alcohol taste.  This process will also help retain the flavor and color of the wine.  The concentration of flavor and aromatic smell depends on the number of decades it was left to mature.  Warm climate regions of the country usually have an advantage in producing fortified wines.
4. Dessert wines are distinguished in their textures.  Its a honey-like and glutinous texture that is made by a natural occurring fungus.  These natural fungus draw in moisture, which causes the increase in sugar concentration, acidity and fruit flavor.  The wine is best served along with fruit desserts, blue and soft cheese that balances acidity and creates an excellent taste.

Australian wine makers are grasping the fast and dynamic technology to produce a world-class variety of wines.  They are using their expertise and variety of techniques to satisfy consumers and introduce them to a whole new taste experience.

White with fish, red with meat?  Not always.

Everyone knows that fish meals should be accompanied by white wine and meat dishes should be accompanied by red wine.  But adhering to strict wine rules takes the fun out of choosing wines.  Trust your own sense of taste.  A wine should do one of two things:  complement or contrast.  Not all fish dishes are cooked in the same way, so why should they all be accompanied by white wine?  Consider the dish, the way it is cooked, the spices and seasonings added, and then choose a wine that complements those elements or contrasts, that is if you want a more intense experience.

Choosing The Right Type Of Wine

Wines as we know them are generally distinguished as either red or white wine.  However, this distinction is much too simplified considering the various types of wine depending on the grapes they were made of and the location of the vineyard where they were grown.

Having invested possibly hundreds of dollars in your latest bottle of vintage wine (ah well, we can but dream), the next important decision is where to store this prized possession?

The knowledge that wine can come in hundreds, perhaps thousands of flavors, can leave you with a feeling of dread especially when you have to order wine in restaurants.  The basic rule is that there is no one perfect wine because it really depends on your own taste buds.  An expensive wine that may taste perfect for one can taste horrible to another.

When ordering wine in restaurant, ask for the wine you personally prefer or have gotten familiar to the taste of.  If you are the adventurous type or you really don't have an idea which wines are good, then it is always practical to ask the help of the waiter or the restaurant staff taking your order.  It is proper to surmise that the staff or waiter should have been given instructions and the basic training in wine selection by the restaurant owner or manager.  But what if the waiter is just as ignorant as their customers about their wine list?  What if the big decision as to which wine to order is left in your hands?  Art of Wine Tasting.

If no one on the staff is knowledgeable about wines or can't make suggestions, ask the waiter to just come back and then ask your companions about their preferences.  Ask your dining companions whether they prefer red or white wine.  The most common choices would be chardonnay for white wine as this is the king of white wine, or cabernet sauvignon for red wine as this is known as the king of red wine.  No other choice could be much safer.

Wines benefit from being kept in dark conditions.  Although this is not always practical, wine should certainly be stored in an area that is not exposed it to direct sunlight.

If you are eating white meat life fish or chicken, it would be best to order white wine.  If you have chosen red meat like pork or beef roast, then red wine lie Pinot Noir would be an ideal wine to order.  Ordering wine by the bottle is sometimes cheaper than ordering wine by glass.  There are restaurants that offer discounts to customers who order two or more bottles of wine.

Whether or not you have a limited budget, it is always wise to ask for the price of wine per bottle or per glass, if only to have a stock knowledge of their prices the next time you are tasked with the same decision to order wine for the group.  If money isn't a problem for you, then Dom Perignon would be a good choice although this wine is higher priced than the others.  There are equally good wine sparklers like Iron Horse or Domaine Chandon which are priced reasonably, depending on where you are eating.

There are wines that are better when they are less than three years old.  You can try ordering white wines like Pinot Blanc or French Macon are dry white wines that command good prices and can be eaten well with appetizers.  Wines are best drunk when they have been properly chilled.

Many modern wines do not need to be aged over a great period of time;  therefore extensive cellars are often unnecessary.  Having said this, if you have the time, space and resource to excavate a cellar, your wine will surely benefit.  A purpose built cellar is not normally an option for most households and so suitable alternatives must be explored.

All You Need To Know About Spirit Wines

Moderate wine consumption produces a better balance of these two.  Additionally, wine has an anti coagulation effect which makes the blood less likely to clot.

The health benefits of drinking alcohol can't be underrated.  Mainly because of the evidence that it can greatly prove your health.

However, not all alcoholic beverages can provide healthful gains.  Between wines and spirits, wines provide more healthful benefits compared to spirits.

Generally, spirits refer to purified or extracted alcohol.  The process of distilling alcohol is usually done by heating a ''fermented liquid''.  The liquid is made to disperse in the air making it change from a liquid state to a gas or vapor, and then squeezed back into its liquified form.  Learn the art of Wine Tasting.

Spirits are generally made from any natural material that can be ''fermented'' to produce alcohol.  You could surmise that wine with a little percentage of alcohol can be transformed into spirits by increasing its alcohol content and decreasing its liquid substance.

Measurements

Since spirits are distilled forms of any organic substance including wines with the abundance of alcohol content, these particular types of beverages are measured and assessed depending on their alcohol content.  Most countries that manufacture spirits use a particular means of measurement.  The common way is to use the ''Gay-Lussac system'' or measuring the spirits according to ''alcohol by volume'' or ABV.

For example, a particular spirit that is classified as 60% ABV means that it has 60% alcohol.  In the United States, spirits or any alcoholic beverage are classified in accordance to their alcohol content by using ''proof of scale''.  The ''proof'' of an alcoholic beverage, particularly spirits, has their ABVs doubled.  For instance, if a spirit has a 30% ABV, it is classified as 60% proof.

Classifications

Spirits are, basically, classified according to the kind of fermenting material that is used in the process of fermentation and distillation.

To know more about the classification of spirits, here is a list that can help you out:

1. Brandy

   This is a type of spirit that is made from ''fermented'' grape sap.  The alcohol contents of brandy are generated from a meticulous distillation process of grape juices, mostly from wines.

2. Gin, Vodka, etc.

   These spirits are generated from distilled beers that are naturally made from grains.

3. ''Fortified wines''

   These are special kinds of spirits made from a combination of ''fermented wine'' and extracted spirits, which are, more often than not brandy.

These are just a few of the many classifications of spirits.  They may differ from the kinds of materials that they have originated from but they are all extracted and distilled to produce alcohol.  That is why they are known as spirits.

Chemical and food experts have known for years that wine contains rich deposits of vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars that are often beneficial to good health.  Wine is also rich in potassium and low in sodium.  Red wines have more of these elements due to the juices longer contact with the grape skins.  Red wines are also rich in Vitamin B which comes from the grape skins as well.

Wine Racks: The Solution For Practical Wine Storage

In order to get the best benefits out of good wines, they first need to sufficiently mature.  Wines only get better with time.  They must be stored properly during this period of maturing, as factors such as humidity, temperature, and proper lighting play an imperative role.  The easiest and most effective way to store wine is to use a wine rack.  Wine racks are to be selected carefully, keeping in mind which size of rack that you will require.

There are many choices of wine racks.  However, the horizontal types of racks are normally preferred to those that are vertical, especially for wines that will be stored for a long period of time.  Vertical racks do tend to dry the cork, which will end up spoiling the wine, just as many tilted racks do.  Horizontal racks won't dry up the cork and allow any unnecessary air contact, leaving your wine which is stored in a horizontal rack to be totally absent of sediment when it is poured.  Another benefit is that it is also inexpensive to maintain.

The very wide range of wine racks are normally made of either wood or metal, that can be kept sitting on the floor, or they can be suspended from the ceiling.

A wooden wine rack has an advantage over a metal rack, as it can provide much needed extra storage space.  They are strong and hard, and are aesthetically pleasing, mainly because they are made of cedar, maple, and mahogany.  The wide range of these wine racks includes Diamond Bin, Rectangular Bin, and the Curved Corner Rack.  If none of these are appealing to your creative nature, then you can purchase your own wooden kit which is all ready to make up with all the tools needed, making it very easy to install.  This will allow you to create your own design for a rack that you want.

Wine racks which are smaller in size are suitable for homes and personal collections, but larger businesses will usually require larger racks to store larger quantities and varieties.  Wine racks are very affordable, with prices that can range anywhere from $20 to $1000.  For most home uses of racks, you can look to spend in the neighborhood of $35-$300, which all depends on the style and size of what you are looking for.  There is a wine rack for all your needs, it is up to you to find that rack and begin storage.

The Art Of Wine Tasting

The production of wine in France is tightly controlled by two organisations.  The Instituit National des Appellations d'Origine (INAO).  This body succeeded the Comite' National des Appellations d'Origine after World War II and controls the hierachy of French quality wines.  The other is the Service de Repression des Fraudes, which is responsible for seeing that the very complicated laws on wine production are carried out.  On the French domestic market, every bottle carries a capsule conge', or capsule with the government seal on it showing that the relevant tax has been paid.  It also shows the wine's quality status.

You can easily detect a genuine wine expert by the way he handles the wine in terms of smelling and tasting it and not merely just drinking the wine.  Anybody can drink wine but it takes a lot of experience to taste wine.  Art of Wine Tasting.

Wines have become a staple feature of every household during meal times, particularly when they are eating red meat.  Red meats like pork or beef roasts are best with red wines.  On the other hand, white meats like fish and chicken are better with white whine.

There are a thousand and one varieties, or type of wines depending on the vineyard where they were grown as well as the type of grapes they are made of.  It takes experience and a real romance with wine to be able to distinguish its characteristics just by smelling and tasting.

Basically, wines that have been stored properly should taste smooth.  Wines that taste off or stale are either not of good quality or they were stored improperly and their corks tainted.

So how should you taste wine?  Wines should be tasted by swishing the wine in your mouth, allowing your taste buds to perceive the flavor and taste of the wine.  While the act of tasting makes uses of your tongue, a person's sense of smell actually does most of the detection.  Both a person's sense of taste and sense of smell should be used when tasting wines.

The laws cover the same ground as for AC wines but are often less stringent on yields and grape varieties.  In on aspect, however, the VDQS laws were initially stricter.  The right to the VDQS label was only granted after an official tasting.  Now this requirement has been extended to AC wines as well.

While the two senses are indeed very important tools in determining a wine's quality, the physical appearance of the wine is equally important.  You can get a better look at a wine's appearance and color by pouring them in a clear glass and look through it using a white table cloth or other white background.

If wines are generally red or white, then why do we have to study their colors?  White wines are actually not perfectly white because their color ranges from yellow to brown and green.  White wines with darker colors have more flavor and are older.  While aging improves the flavor of red wines, this doesn't hold true for white wines which may go bad with time.  Red wines that are lighter in color are older.  You will be able to examine a red wine's age by tilting a glass with red wine, allowing some to settle on the glass rim, and examining its color.  When the color of the wine that settles on the glass rim is brownish, then it has been aged.

Wine experts also swirl the wine to observe how it moves in the glass.  A wine that swirls nicely wine may mean it has a higher sweetness and alcohol content.

While the taste of wine is generally subjective as it depends on a persons taste and preferences, wine connoisseurs follow specific guidelines in wine tasting.  Being able to taste and smell wine the right way can certainly to the pleasure of drinking them.

Take Notes especially if you are gone all day.  Most wineries offer a list that will assist you on keeping track.  When you get home to your local wine shop, you will appreciate having a cheat sheet.

How Wines Are Rated

Wines, like hotels, tend to get rated.  And they get rated with stars.  How do you know what a 5 or 6-star wine stands for?  Now unlike hotels, wines do not necessarily have to be rated by an expert.  They can be rated by anyone.  All it takes is for a person to have enough of an exposure as well as an understanding of how wine is made, what goes into the making of wine and how it should be rated.  Wine is rated on four parameters -- the aroma, the taste, the appearance and the aftertaste.  Let's take a look at how wines get their stars!

The ultimate rating is 6 stars.  A 6-star wine is said to be absolutely perfect.  There's nothing that is missing from it and nothing that needs to be removed from it.  This rating means the wine just cannot be improved in any way.  The number of wines that fall into this category globally is less than 1% of the wine produced all over the world.  This wine is really a classic and it has all the complex characteristics that a classic wine is expected to have.  You won't find a wine like this online -- no way.  These are usually tagged as collectors' items.

Wines that are rated as 5-star wines have a balanced color, richness and harmony.  They are almost perfect and have a wonderful aroma, taste and feel.  Their organoleptic characteristics are quite extraordinary.  Then come the 4-star wines which constitute 5% of the wines produced all over the world.  These, too have finesse, flavor and great character and you can't really find fault with them or perceive any noticeable flaws.  These are the wines that are commonly produced today and their rating goes up if they are allowed to age.

Then come the average wines or the wines that are 3-star rated.  These are well made but the ingredients they are made from are ordinary.  However, they do have great taste and texture and you cannot really find any noticeable flaws.  Except for the fact that the raw materials used are ordinary, you cannot really distinguish them from 4-star wines.

Any wine with less than a 3-star rating is below par.  You will usually find flaws in them that may even be noticeable and visible to the eye.  There could be an unpleasant smell, it could be a watery substance or there could even be floating particles.  This could of course be due to the extra acid or tannin present.  Sometimes these wines might taste okay but you will find that they do not have any character, depth or complexity.  And of course, 1-star wines are made from really poor ingredients.  They are generally home-made wines that might not make it to the shop shelves.  They are usually not well balanced, very diluted, have a dull taste and are flawed.

How is wine tasting and rating done?  It is usually done in groups that are large.  The wines are not labeled and the group has to rate them without knowing the cost or the brand.  These ratings are then collected and compiled.  It is a comprehensive analysis of these that are the basis of rating and determining which class a wine should be classified as.  These ratings and classification help as far as the buyers are concerned because it helps them to choose a good wine.  You know which the best wine available in the market is and you know what the stars stand for.  How many people use these as guidelines when choosing a wine?  Well many of these cannot be strictly followed and finally, it's the buyer who has to take a call on which wine he wants.

How To Make Homemade Wines

Prepare the Produce -- First, inspect the fruit to ensure the grapes are ripe and free of insects or other contaminants.  Put the grapes in the straining bag and measure the sugar level using your hydrometer.  A hydrometer can be purchased at any wine making store.  The sugar density should be 22 ideally.  Also, remember to remove the stems from all grapes in order to make your wine smoother and sweeter.  Finish this step by transferring the ingredients into the jug.  Wine has been an important part of any occasion.  It is commonly made from fermented grape juice, flowers, and grains.  Countries like Italy, Portugal, United States, and Argentina are among the largest exporters of different wines.  Art of Wine Tasting.

The most expensive kind of wine is called ''vintage''.  Vintage wines are made from the highest quality grapes that are harvested several years before they are sold to the public.

While some wines are very expensive, there are some of good quality and that are relatively inexpensive.  Among these wines are homemade wines that are commonly served to show old English hospitality.

Home winemaking is an exciting hobbiy designed for people who love social drinking or who are fond of giving away wine as gifts.  Here are some tips on how to make homemade wine:

1. Get fresh produce from fields and orchards that let buyers pick their own fruits.  Another option is getting fruit concentrate being sold by local winemaking stores.
2. Buy equipment needed in home winemaking.  These are fermentation locks, Demijohns, plastic funnels, trial jars, siphon tubes, and wine bottles with corks.
3. Gather necessary ingredients to put flavor and a distinct taste to the wine.  These are yeast, pectic enzyme, wine tannin, acid blend, and campden tablets.
4. Get recipies of the favorite wines to have accurate information about the exact amount of ingredients to use.  The tip in making the best wine is accurately mixing ingredients to achieve desired taste.
5. Use fermentation bags in collecting pulp and submerge it into the wine mixture.  Set aside covered fermenter within 24 hours.
6. Put yeast on the grape juice surface and cover it.  Let the mixture ferment within 7 days.
7. After 7 days, discard pulp and siphon the mixture to prepare for secondary fermenter.
8. Add water to the wine mixture and allow it to ferment for 4-6 weeks or until it appears completely clear.  Use hydrometer to make sure fermentation has been completed.  Hydrometer should show 0.989 and 0.990 on its gravity scale.
9. The wine should be cleared completely after following the first 8 steps.  After that, siphon the wine and add five crushed campden tablets.
10. Bottle the homemade wine and let it age.

Today, the best wines on the market are home made.  They are surprisingly delicious and inexpensive.  Anyone can make wine by simply following these 10 basic steps and then you can start impressing friends and family members during get-togethers.

Organic Wine, Beer And Spirits

In the UK and USA, producers are increasingly making wines labeled organic or produced from organically grown grapes.  The meaning and legal force of these terms can vary significantly from one country to another.

A key point to add at this stage is the difference between organically grown grapes -- fruit from vineyards grown without the use of industrial fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides -- and wines made without synthetic preservative additives.

Organic Vineyards -- Where it all begins!

An organic vineyard is one where grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, or other synthetic chemicals.  This prevents damage to soil and ensures that no chemicals end up in the wine as residue.  Organic farmers aim to maintain healthy, biologically active soil whose fertility is provided by plants that fix nitrogen from the air.  In the vineyard it means planting cover crops between the avenues of the vines instead of applying herbicide.  Naturally occurring plant or mineral extracts leave no residue in the soil, and weeds are kept down with the use of mechanical and hand hoes.  Biodiversity is promoted through the plants, which help regulate the vineyard soil by attracting beneficial insects, spiders and predatory mites.

The Role of Certification and the Organic Market

When a label says organic, it means the wine has met certain standards that are set by a government agency.  Different nations have their own certification criteria, so whats organic in one country may not be so in another.  In the UK the Soil Association is the most recognized and used certification body.

Many wineries that are technically organic still choose not to be certified.  There are many reasons for this.  Some do not want the added costs and bureaucracy of registering.  Others may disagree with their governments standards.  Whatever the case, they are not allowed to use organic on their labels.

There is a national government target for 30 per cent of all UK farmland to be organic or in conversion by 2010, and 20 per cent of the food consumed to be organic by 2010.  The UK grocery market was worth $206 billion in 2006 and USA 634.7$ billion.  This growth in the organic food market will have a knock on effect on the drinks industry and will meet the ever-growing demand from consumers for organic wine, which is better for drinkers and better for the environment.

Financial Incentives to Companies to turn Organic

In 2005, 39% of the world organic farmland is in Australia and New Zealand.  To combat this The European Union (EU) offers financial support to organic farmers as an incentive for farmers to convert to organic production and help the sector grow.  These grants provide farmers with assistance during the period of conversion to organic farming which usually takes three years.

Organic Beers and Spirits

While not so widely available as organic wine, organic spirits are available through specialist suppliers.  The production process for organic spirits does not differ widely from conventional production.  The main difference lies in the use of organic raw materials.  Organic beers are now available in a number of pubs and supermarkets and tend to use organic hops.

Fancy visiting an organic vineyard?

If you are into Organic wine why not visit Englands Premier organic vineyard.  In addition to processing fruit on site, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard is one of the main tourist attractions in the 1066 Country region in and around Hastings attracting some 5,000 visitors per annum to its Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting.

Wine Labels Decoded

Even for the avid wine drinker, deciding on a bottle of wine can be a daunting task with so many varieties of wine on the market today.  Wine labels don't help either with the various terms in foreign languages and the small print.  Sometimes reading a wine label makes you feel like you need a secret decoder ring, but rest assured that this is not to confuse you the customer, but rather to help you.  The information on the label is there to tell you about the wine and also the winery and conditions of production.  Once you have an idea of what to look for on a wine label, deciphering it shouldn't require much effort.

The Brand Name:  This is the name of the company that has produced the wine.  Most often this is the name of the winery or bottler if the winery has several different brands.

Vintage:  Most wines will carry the vintage somewhere on the bottle, although this is not a mandatory requirement and will not be on all bottles.  A vintage is the year that the grapes used were harvested.  Most wine producing countries have laws that require at least 85 percent of the grapes used to be harvested in the specified year of vintage although in the United States this figure can be as high as 95 percent.

Appellation of Origin:  This is the geographical area where the grapes were grown, for example ''California'' or more a more specific vineyard.  Most countries have strict laws regarding an appellation classification, which is why like the vintage;  at least 85 percent of the grapes used must be from their specified region.

Wine Type:  This specifies the grapes used to make the wine.  Again this can be as broad as ''Red Table Wine'' or as specific as Merlot or Chardonnay.  Most wine producing countries allow the use of some non-varietal grapes in the blend.  In Europe and Australia, at least 85 percent of the wine's content must be from the named varietals, while in some parts of the United States this figure is much lower at about 75 percent.

Producer and Bottler:  What this part of the bottle signifies varies greatly depending on where the bottle of wine originates from.  If grapes are harvested and bottled at the winery it is considered to be ''estate bottled'' and the label will state this using Mise en bouteille(s) au Chateau (French), Gutsabfüllung/Erzeugerabfüllung (German) or simply Estate Bottled.

According to Napa Valley Vintners online (napavintners.com) it is even more specific for American bottled wines and the terminology even more specifically determines how the wine was bottled:  '' 'Produced and bottled by' certifies that the bottler fermented 75% or more of the wine.  Used in combination with other information on the label, such as a vineyard, this term provides the consumer with significant information about the origin of the wine and who is responsible for its production.  'Cellared and bottled by' indicates that the bottler has aged the wine or subjected it to cellar treatment before bottling.  'Made and bottled by' indicates that the bottler fermented at least 75% of the wine (10% before July 28, 1994).  'Bottled by' indicates that the winery bottled the wine, which may have been grown, crushed, fermented, finished, and aged by someone else.''

Other Required Information:  This depends on what country the wine is from.  For example, wines sold in the United States are required to have (at least on the back label) alcohol content, contents size, and consumer warnings from the Surgeon General as well as a sulphite warning while in Germany wine are required to have an Amptliche Prüfungs Nummer which is a number received while in testing.  The famous wine regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Alsace in France will carry the term Cru somewhere on the label to indicate that the wine is from a town or producer of high quality.

While this still might be very overwhelming, when looked at from a point of view of the winemaker, a wine label really is there to help you as the consumer, not hinder your decision making.  Everything on a wine label is there to inform you of where the wine came from and how it was produced, and while it might take you a lifetime to be able to completely understand every single term that is put on a wine bottle, being able to understand the basics will be advantageous.  It is important to remember that rules will vary from country to country as to what is required to be on a wine bottle or specific terms used.  What might be required in France might not be required in Chile.

The Wine Industry Regions Of Southern California

California is a state that produces 90% of all wine in the US, and the vineyards in the north, in Sonoma and Napa, are among the most famous in the world.  However, they do not have the only quality vineyards in the state.  The wines from the younger southern California wineries are on an equal par to their cousins of the north.

The majority of southern California wine is produced in two areas, the vineyards of Santa Barbara, 100 miles north of Los Angeles, and those close to San Diego, 100 miles south of the city.  Both areas have been deeply involved in the growth of the California wine industry, an industry that now ships over 450 million gallons of wine a year to the US and other countries.

Santa Barbara’s Vineyards

The costal mountains east-west positioning creates the valleys that open onto the Pacific Ocean.  The flow of fog and breezes that result from this bit of serendipitous geography produce the perfect conditions for the world-class varieties of wine that are the pride of Santa Barbara.  The moderate climate produces the most favorable conditions that grapes need for optimal sugar and acid levels.  There are also several “micro-climates” near the Pacific Coast and the Pala Mesa mountains.

The fifty mile coast from Point Conception to Rincon forms the longest east-west shoreline on the west coast.  The vines here grow on anything and everything, from the rolling hillsides to the exceptionally warm valleys, where summer temperatures often reach 100˚F or 38˚C.  This climate allows the vintners to work throughout the four seasons:  the pruning and weeding is done during the winter, new planting begins in the spring, canopy management in the summer and finally the annual harvest in the fall.  This area has a comparable climate to the Rhône valley in France, and the winemakers have responded similarly.  One particular vineyard is situated on a hillside 1,000 feet above sea level, with ideal northern exposure making it the perfect location for the Rhone varietals that are grown here.

There are an abundance of European grapes:  Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sangiovese and Syrah.  This diversity is made possible by the large number of micro-climates in the region.  For example, the cool-climate Chardonnay does well because of the occasional snow on the mountains.  In contrast, the heat-loving Syrah thrives in the warmer micro-climates.  The winemakers also took on the bold challenge of growing the difficult Pinot Noir, a wine resonant with strawberry and herbal aspects.

While there were almost no vineyards in the county twenty-five years ago, today the wine industry is a $100 million dollar business.  The Santa Ynez and Santa Maria valley alone grew to 8,000 acres under cultivation in the twenty years between 1975 and 1995.  Between 1995 and 2000, the number jumped to 18,000.  Today there are over 21,000 acres of these vineyards and half of the grapes are being shipped to winemakers outside of the county.

Temecula

The cultural rivalry between northern and southern California is also reflected in the wine business.  This is a young industry here;  the majority of the southern vineyards didn’t exist 20 years ago.  The first wines were produced in Temecula in 1971.

Twenty-two miles from the Pacific Ocean, the 1,400-foot Temecula plateau is situated between peaks of the Coastal Mountain range.  The afternoon breeze blows the smog away, and the unique micro-climate in the area benefits from a higher solar intensity than Napa Valley.

The vineyards of Temecula are kept moist by large underground aquifers.  The soil itself is high in decomposed granite.  This helps drainage and keeps the soil free of Phylloxera, an invasive insect that destroyed large numbers of old European wine regions.  It still remains a problem today.

Close by is Shadow Mountain vineyard.  Located in the mountains above San Diego, this is the highest vinery in California at 4,400 feet above sea level.

All grapes grow in Temecula, including Chardonnay, White Rhône, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet and the Italian Nebbiolo, which is harvested as late as November.  The region produces a wine with a fruity character, in contrast to the woodiness which found in other California vintages.

The religious men of the Mission of San Juan Capistrano were the first winemakers in southern California, and after 200 years, the industry is now in full-bloom.  Due to the partnership between wine scientists and winemakers, the 1,800 acres of commercial vineyards of southern California are more successful than ever.

The Chianti Wine Regions

The region of Chianti is a tiny area in the heart of Tuscany between Siena and Florence and overlooks the Elsa Valley.  The land is fertile with olive groves, green forests, and those delicious grapes just waiting to be picked off the vine and smashed into the most heavenly of drinks-Chianti wine.

For many years, Italians have enjoyed the prestige of being recognized for having the largest harvest of grapes and the finest vintages of wine in the Mediterranean.  The present day farmers can thank the Phoenicians for bringing vines to this area.  They named the area, ''Oenotria'', the ''land of wine''.  The ripe fields, combined with the sun and Tuscan air led many others to this area to cultivate the grapes including, the Greeks, Etruscans, and Roman.  In many cases, these cultures brought their own vines to mingle with the originals.

A plague of insects, called phylloxera, swept through Europe in the18th century effectively halting wine production in the area.  The insects were known to feed on the roots and leaves, destroying the vines.  Eventually Italian vintners triumphed over the insect and recovered from the loss.

In the late 1960's the land of the Chianti area was in a down cycle and parcels of land were sold for very little.  Visionaries, seeing the obvious advantages of such beautiful countryside and fertile soil, rebuilt the vineyards to become some of the most credited vines in the world.

What makes the land unique in the area is the climate of the region.  The warmth which is constant, lasts much of the year with little rain fall.  The soil is dry and full of stones infused with limestone providing many nutrients and minerals for the grapes.  In addition, the clever vintners of the area only allow a limited amount of irrigation through the fields; therefore the vines have to delve deep into the ground to acquire water and nutrients.

The Italian government has its own classification for wine making with specific requirements for growing and making the wine.  DOCG, which stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, and is similar to the French AOC.  These government standards control the techniques from each of the eight regions of Chianti, keeping the regions wine making unique.  The regions of Chianti are Chianti Classico, Colli Arentini, Colli Fiorentini, Coli Senesi, Colli Pisane, Montalbano, Rufina, and Montispertoli.

Chianti Classico is the most widely known wine of the region, not only for its name, but also for the superb quality.  This wine comes from the vines species called vitis vinifera, which is the starting point for 99% of the wines in the world.  Of this vine, Italy grows more than 100 official varieties.

In the Chianti region, of which there are roughly 25,000 acres, two thirds of the land is given to the production of the Chianti Classico, and uses at least 80% of the Sangiovese grape.  In the other 20% of the region other wines are made using Sangiovese blended with Canaiolo and Colorino.  For the white wines a Trebbiano or Malvasia are used.  Again, the government controls the yields to nine tons in order to maintain a premium wine.

The lush red wine of the Chianti that pours into a glass like pooling velvet grows darker when aged.  The flavors that wash across the tongue are dry, slightly tannic, with an intense aroma, sometimes hinting of violet.  The vintners have no requirements mandated by the government regarding the aging process, but most use aged oak casks for their most savory bottles of wine called Riserva wines.  They are 12% alcohol content by volume.

Like the Romans, the Chianti has stormed the land making it known to all points of the world.  Yet it is the humble vintner creating this amazing wine under strict regulations that has the wine world at their feet.

Burgandy, France -- Famous For Its Wines

The terroir is a group of vineyards or vines from the same area which have a common soil and climate.  And nowhere else, other than Burgundy in France, is it held so fondly.

Burgundy is a region situated in central east France, which experiences bitter cold winters matched with beautiful warm summers.  It is the home of 1.6 million inhabitants.

Burgundy (Bourgogne) is famous throughout the world for its wines.  Spanning over 31,500 square kilometers (over 12,000 square miles), with a 360 km (225 mi) strip stretching 100km (60 mi) south of Paris, down from south of Dijon to north of Rhoône, houses 99 different wine appellations.

Ranging from the vibrant red Pommard and Corton to the medium Beaune -- to the sparkling whites, the dry Chablis or Chassagne Montrachet, over 180 million bottles of some of the fines wines are made in this region.

As an aftermath of the French revolution the vineyards belonging to the monasteries were broken down to smaller plots -- which exist even today.

The finest quality wine, designated as “Premier Cru” -- is available from 600 of the vineyards in the region while 33 of them is credit to produce the even more classy “Grand Cru” wines.  Among these the most renowned are Montrachet, Chambertin and Clos Vougeot.

Made from the pinot noir grapes, the burgundy red wines taste best with Boeuf Bourguignon or pheasant.  On the other hand a Chablis or their sparkling white wines go best with anything from shrimps to goat cheese.

The famous white wine called Chablis derives its name from a village of the same name.  These are dry whites with an acidity that refreshes.  The special Chardonnay grapes thrive in limestone that has been made richer with remains of fossils.

As an accompaniment to lamb or grilled chicken, the best choice is the fruity-flavored, world famous Beaujolais made from the Gamay grape.  These grapes grow in granite limestone.

The ever-popular and delicious red is grown in Volnay for the last 8 centuries.  The grapes are Pinot Noir grown across 600 acres which is responsible in producing 1.3 million bottles of this amazing wine which has the flavors of raspberries and violets.

And then there is Meursault, located close by, famous for its Premier Cru labels of finest white wines.  2.5 million bottles of the finest wine, Chardonnay, aged anywhere between 3 to 15 years is grown in just over 1000 acres.  Fish in white sauce go extremely well with this fine wine with its almond and apple flavors.

But what still makes the headlines is the red Pommard with its tannic and manly flavor, staging a comeback after many years of decline.  From just 780 acres of Pinot Noir grown in limestone and red clay are produced 1.8 million bottles of this wine with the flavors of black cherry and black currant.  Goes excellent with game venison and roasted red meat with Livarot cheese, these can age from 5 to 15 years.

Whatever your taste buds need, there is very little chance of returning home disappointed with a Burgundy.

Wine Tasting Can Be Challenging

The art of tasting the wine is naturally as old as the art of wine-making itself.  Nowadays the activity of wine taster has turned in an appreciated career for some.  If the ancient people used to taste wine before they consumed it now we have experts that taste the wine for us and tell us which wine is better than the other.

One of the challenges of this ''job'' is to be able to translate the taste of wine into language.  Greeks used different words to describe wine but today with so many more wines to elaborate upon describing the taste of a wine is a real challenge.  Sometimes, fruit, flowers and vegetables are used as a reference.  Some experts use the smell of food to describe the wines.  As Victoria Moore advises in one of the Guardian's articles, the ''terrifyingly organised Angela Mount applies the same exactitude to the discussion of food smells in wine''.  She describes the taste of Zonte's Footstep Shiraz Viognier 2004 as 'figs' and baked apricot, cooked in the oven with a few dabs of butter."

Another challenging part of the wine taster job is the ability to spit or gob.  Victoria Moore helps us again with information about this difficult ability to gain.  In wine circles the ability to spit like an Icelandic geyser is a critical social skill.  As a wine taster you can even be labeled by this ability and the inability to perform this important part of the job is deployed as the most final and cutting of insults, and at tastings there is a very clear spitocracy.  ''The most experienced and revered palates scour the tables at great speed, swirl, gargle, then, with something of the swagger with which a cowboy might draw his pistol, their glance flicks in the direction of the spittoon and, at long range, a jet of liquid arcs suddenly into it'' explains Victoria Moore.

Wine Tasting -- A Preference For Red Or White

For many of us wine is something of a mystery and when we are buying wine it comes down to a simple choice between red and white and what our local supermarket has available in its "special offer" bin.  But wine really isn't such a mystery at all and, in this area at least, a little knowledge can get you a very long way.

The starting point is to understand the different types of wine available and here we can divide wines into five main groups.

Red Wine.

Red wine is fermented from what many people would refer to as red grapes but which are in fact more correctly named black grapes.  In the case of red wine the grapes are used whole for fermentation, that is to say complete with skin and pips, and it is the skin which gives the wine its red color.

There are a wide variety of black grapes available each with its own distinctive flavor which is derived principally from the soil and climate in the region where the grapes are grown.  This, together with the winemaker's art of mixing, allows us to enjoy a range of red wines from the deep blackcurrant color of the full-bodied and intensely flavored wines produced from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape to the lighter cherry and raspberry taste gained from the Pinot Noir grape.

Rosé wine.

Rosé wines are again produced from black grapes but, in this case, the juice is separated off part way through the fermentation process and at the point at which the winemaker determines that the juice contains sufficient color to give the finished wine the pink color that he is looking for.

Once again the flavor of the finished wine depends very much on the grape used for fermentation and some of the finest rosé wines are produced from the Grenache grape.  Often thought of as a French grape, Grenache noir is the world's most widely planted grape and probably originates from Spain.  As well as often being used to produce rosé wines, it is also commonly used as a base for many blended wines including such well known names as Chateauneuf du Pape and Cotes du Rhône.

Blush wine.

Blush wine is sometimes referred to as California's version of rosé wine and is produced in much the same way as rosé wine.  In this case however the grape most often used is the Zinfandal grape which produces a slightly sweet pink wine which also shows a somewhat blue color.  The Zinfandal grape originates in Croatia but has been grown widely in the US for more than 150 years now and is considered indigenous to California.

White wine.

Believe it or not white wine can be made from either white or black grapes, as the juice from either grape is colorless and it is only the skin of the black grape that gives red wine its color.

The flavors available across the range of white wines vary tremendously according to the grape used, the winemaker's art and the degree to which different juices are blended to create the finished wine.

Dry white wines often come from grapes such as Muscadet or Sauvignon Blanc while richer fruit-flavored wines are more likely to be based upon the Chardonnay grape.

Sparkling wines.

Sparkling wines, of which Champagne is clearly the best known example, are based upon a dry white wine.  Here the wine is bottled and a solution of sugar and yeast is added before the bottle is sealed.  The sugar and yeast solution causes a secondary fermentation and sealing the bottles at the start of this process traps the gas produced by this fermentation within the wine to give it its sparkle when the bottle is opened.

Wine Accessories -- A Wine Lover's Mark

The popularity of wine spreads all over the world.  This drink loved by all, is perhaps one of the oldest alcoholic beverages available.  A true wine lover not only loves to drink it, but also loves to serve it to other people.  For a wine connoisseur, a wine rack is a must to have in his house.  Wine racks are both decorative as well as utilitarian.  It is for holding your collection of different wine bottles, and for many it is like a display which they always are proud of.

Wine racks:

There are so many different designs of wine racks you can find.  Depending on your taste, whether you want an old classic look or a modern touch, you can choose the wine rack.  Wood is still the most loved storage wine rack.  There are a few wine racks that are even made for storing wine inside the refrigerator.  Wine bottles have to be kept and stored with utmost care.  These wine racks hold the bottles in contact with the cork, thereby preventing any loss of taste or smell of delicate liquids.

Wine racks can be made up of wood, metal, wrought iron, etc.  It is said that wrought iron racks are best, as they can not only be made into different artistic designs, but they are also sturdy, thus providing good support for your wine bottles.  For a classic Victorian look, go for a wooden wine storage rack.  This is also safe to use as it can go with any kind of furniture you have at home.  You can also buy table top racks if you are short of space in the house.

Things to remember:

For those who have a large collection of wine, you can also go for a refrigerator wine storage rack, as the refrigerator will keep the temperature under control.  There are a few things that you should remember while buying a wine storage rack:

• Decide on the place where you want to keep the rack, be it your kitchen or your dining area.  Depending on that, you can decide on what type of rack you want.
• If you have a big space, you can have choices as to what type of racks you want, but incase you are short of space, you can go for a hanging one or a wall rack.
• Check out the size, shape, and the number of bottles you want, and then you can decide whether you will need a big rack or if a small one will do.
• Find out the different price ranges and compare prices from all different dealers.  Buy the one that suits your budget.

A wine rack cannot be complete without wine accessories.  The most common ones include wine glasses, corkscrews, wine totes, coolers, wine stoppers, wine bottle holders, corkboards etc.  A wine corkscrew is an important tool.  There are many types of corkscrews available, though all serve the same purpose.  One end has to be screwed directly into the cork's center, and then the handle is used to lift the cork out of the bottle.  Now you can also find decanters for enhancing the look of your display.  They are glass bottles with designs on them, and they are also great for maintaining the flavors of wine rather than to keep in open bottles in your rack.

These wine accessories also make a perfect gift for someone who has a taste for fine things in life.

Tips On How To Buy The Best Wines

For most people wine is an essential part or their dining experience.  Wine is also mostly present in any social function.  The problem with wine is that there are so many types of wines to choose from.  As a result the wine selection process becomes very difficult.

What is wine?

Basically, it is a liquor that is made by fermenting various types of fruits.  But no doubt, that the most popular wine type is made of grapes.  Wines made of different types of grapes, turn into different flavored wines.  Wines that are not made of grapes are referred to as fruit wines.

Why grape wine is good for you body?

There have been some medical studies that show that drinking one or two glasses of grape wine a day may be beneficial to one's health.  This is due to the findings that some properties that are found in grapes have a medicinal effect on the body.  This includes decreasing a person's chances of developing heart disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, etc.

Here are some tips on how to choose just the right wine for you

1. Experiment.  Individuals should discover which types of wine suit their taste.  The best way to do this is to order a different type of wine every time you dine out.  This way, individuals would pretty much have an idea of what types of wine they will stock on their wine cellar.
2. Ask friends for a recommendation.  For those who are not wine connoisseurs, the best way to start gaining some knowledge about wine is to ask friends to give you the names of their favorite wines.  Ask them about the wines that they love, and which types of dishes go with which types of wines.  Make a list of the brands of wines that are highly recommended by friends.  The next time you are in a liquor store, pull out your list and look for these brands.
3. For those who have found their favorite wines, and want to keep stocks.  The best way to go about this is to buy their preferred brands of wine by cases.  This will be much cheaper than purchasing them individually.  Some wine manufacturers offer to take off up to 10% as a discount if individuals buy by the case.
4. Know which types of wine go with different types of dishes.  For instance, white wine goes well with white sauces, salmon, etc.  Those who are throwing a party, and plan to spend a considerable amount of money on wine should do some research about the types of wines that compliment the dishes they plan to serve.
5. Be wise when it comes to serving wine.  The more costly wines should be reserved for more important occasions.  Remember that wines can get very expensive.  So individuals should keep track of the types of wines that they have in storage, and be wise when it comes to deciding when to serve them!
6. French wines are famous worldwide!  France ranks first when it comes to exporting wines.  Some of the more famous French wine includes:  Bordeaux wine, Burgundy wine, and of course Champagne.  For those who are just starting on their wine collection.  These are some of the essential wines that they should stock in their wine cellar.

Choosing wines may be daunting at first, especially for a person who is not a wine connoisseur.  But once a person gets the hang of it, and start to discover the wines that matches their preference, it won't be long until they start to fill up their wine cellar.

How To Brew Wine At Home

Ever wonder how to brew wine at home?  What do I need?  How much will it cost?  Is it legal?  Well keep reading, I am about to tell you all you need to know to get started on making your wine from home.

First you need a wine making kit.  These kits, to alot of peoples surprise, are not that expensive.  A 5 or 6 gallon kit will cost between $50 and $100.  Your ingredients will cost $30 to $70.  That comes out to about $2.50 a bottle.

You don't need a winepress.  Wineries use these winepresses to extract every last drop of juice from the fruit.  Not for quality reasons.  At $1 to $2 a bottle for home wine makers, the last drop of juice is not important.

Making wine at home is legal.  A household of 2 adults can make up to 200 gallons of wine a year.  And a household of 1 adult can make 100 gallons a year.  You will need to check with your local authorities if you intend to sell or distribute your wine.

The most important thing you need to have is good recipes and clear instruction on how to use them.  This is where alot of wine makers fail.  The recipes might be good but the instruction part is to vague.  There are some additives that need to be added whether listed or not.  And some wine need to be shaken every 48 hours and some don't.

You will also need to determine how sweet you like your wine.  This is done with a hydrometer.  Which comes with the wine making kit.  A reading of 1020 on the hydrometer means it is a sweet wine, 1010 is medium and 990 is very dry.

Wine making at home is not hard as long as you have the right equipment, a basic kit works fine, and some good recipes and instruction.

Famous Chardonnay Back on Top

Chardonnay is a thousand year old small village in Mâconnais in the southern portion of France's burgundy region.  The famous wine Chardonnay most likely originated here and was then spread throughout France by the monks.  The earliest recorded reference to Chardonnay occurs in 1330 when Cistercian monks built stonewalls around their ''Clos de Vougeot'' vineyard exclusively planted to Chardonnay grapes.  There is another hypothesis that points towards Lebanon when it comes to the origins of Chardonnay, but with no written references.  Another direction points to an Austrian vine very similar to Chardonnay, called Morillon.  The name Morillon has been used during the middle Ages in the region of Burgundy and was an old name for Chardonnay in the region of Chablis.

Murray Tyrrell from Australia changed the course of history for Chardonnay by bringing the HVD vineyard in 1982.  Chardonnay is the most widely planted variety in Australia and also in NZ.  There is more Chardonnay than Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz.

Lately Chardonnay has become a common girls name and has had a terrible press starting with the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) movement.  Critics are making case of Riesling and other people are finding Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc or Viognier worth drinking.  But Chardonnay consistently makes better wines in a wider range of climates than any other white variety.  It is also responsible for the majority of the world's finest whites.

Chardonnay is a vigorous, heavy cropping variety with medium sized bunches.  Bunches have tightly packed berries forming a single cluster not like loosely spaced Shiraz bunches.  A ripe Chardonnay berry is gold yellow in colour with plenty of juice.  Berries are small, fragile, thin-skinned and require care during harvest to avoid oxidization.  Chardonnay is very sensitive to winemaking practices.  Cool climate Chardonnay produces an abundance of fruit flavours.  The warmer climate Chardonnays may have less of the fruits but develop wonderful honey, butterscotch, buttery and nutty oily flavours that really fill the mouth.  The trend of fermenting Chardonnay in oak barrels and then storing it in new oak can kill the fruit characters.  You know there's too much oak when all you get is vanilla and cinnamon and no fresh fruit.

The new worldwide winemakers have increased the freshness and acidity by sourcing grapes from cooler climates such as Marlborough (New Zealand), Russian River (California), Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula (Australia), Constantia and Walker Bay (South Africa), Casablanca and Leyda (Chile), and Agrelo and the Uco Valley (Argentina).  This doesn't mean that Burgundy is forgotten.  Whites from Chablis, the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais are very good value.

Chardonnay is back on top and as Tim Atkin, in an Observer’s article advises “He had more exciting Chardonnays in the past 12 months than in the previous 12 years.”