If asked the question "what two wines is France famous for?" you would have a bit of thinking to do, it is safe to say. There are a large number of hugely popular French wines, and just going by grape names it is easy to see that even in the rest of the world, a French lead has been taken on wine production. France, then, is famous for a lot more than two kinds of wine. Asked another way, if the question were asked "Which two wines are the most famous in France or France’s most famous?" then there would be some thinking to do still, but most people would have an answer for at least one almost immediately. Those answers of course being Champagne.

Champagne, among other things, is unique in that only certain wines sharing all of its characteristics in the glass may be called "Champagne". If you have a glass of sparkling white wine of high quality, made using Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, it may not be Champagne, much though it looks, acts and tastes exactly like it. The fact of the matter is that, unless it comes from the region which gave Champagne its name, it is merely high quality sparkling wine. The Champagne region of France is a small province about a hundred kilometres (60 miles) from Paris, and in viticulture terms it contains Aube, Cote des Blancs, Cote de Sezanne, Montagne de Reims and Vallee de la Mame. These areas produce Champagne; all others produce sparkling wine, however delicious it may be.

The distinction between Champagne and sparkling wine may seem like a storm in a teacup when seen from outside the region, indeed from outside France. But within France, and especially in the wine producing regions, where the concept of terroir is of huge importance in terms of describing a wine, the name really means something, and a name as prestigious as "Champagne" will be guarded very jealously indeed.

So, Champagne was the easy one. Which wine would be fit to challenge it? Well, there are many with excellent reputations. Beaujolais is much loved within France, where it is practically a national holiday. Chardonnay is the dinner wine par excellence for many, but is produced as efficiently and often to a higher standard outside France. Indeed, the one wine that has maintained a rivalry with Champagne is another worldwide recognised French wine: Burgundy. Although the rivalry is all but non-existent today, it was fierce for much of the 17th and 18th centuries, during which both regions produced both red and white wines and competed for the royal seal of approval. France’s most famous king, Louis XIV, at one time exclusively drank Champagne, but when he fell ill a physician blamed this diet for his ailment and prescribed that he should drink only Burgundy.

Although this was just an early example of special interest lobbying, it got the attention of the court and the people beyond, and for some time the sales of Champagne were badly affected. Eventually, the makers of Champagne decided to give their attention to harnessing the sparkling white wine they were famous for, and the two regions settled their differences from a position of equal importance which persists today - Champagne as sparkling white, Burgundy as deep red.

 

grapes wines

 

 

grapes wines

Caterina Christakos grew up in the hotel and restaurant industry and loves to share her knowledge of wines and gourmet food. To discover just a few ways to have exotic wines delivered to your door go to: http://wineclubsworldwide.co/Wine_of_the_Month_Clubs.html

grapes wines: grapes wines

grapes wines: grapes wines

Article Source: www.articlesnatch.com

Chardonnay is an extremely versatile grape, taking on the characteristics of the soil and climate from where it is grown. But this often causes confusion amongst wine drinkers who think that there is only one style of Chardonnay and therefore that every bottle will taste similar, if not the same. In this article, we look to clear up any misunderstandings surrounding the grape and describe the full variety of styles of Chardonnay available.

Unoaked Chardonnay

Chardonnay is typically known for its fruity flavours and the degree to which these can be tasted depend very much on where the grapes are grown. In the cool climate of Chablis in France, you will come across a wine with green fruit, citrus and sometimes vegetal notes. It will typically have flinty, minerally characteristics, as a result of the vines having been grown in limestone soils. These are even more pronounced in Premier Cru or Grand Cru wines, which are considered as some of the most prestigious in the wine world. In warmer New World climates, the fruit taste will be much more tropical, with hints of peach, pineapple and mango. Coastal regions in South Africa and Chile, in particular, are the source of some very fine New World Chardonnays.

Oaked Chardonnay

As well as displaying the characteristics of the region in which the wine was grown, Chardonnay also takes well to techniques employed by the winemakers, such as oak treatment. Oaked Chardonnay made a name for itself in Australia around 20 years ago when winemakers started ageing the wine in oak barrels to give a fuller bodied wine. The underlying fruit is still very much present but this is enhanced by flavours of vanilla and butter. Oaked Chardonnay is still very much a feature of Australian wines today but unoaked versions have also become popular.

The Aussies aren???t the only ones who have combined oak treatment and Chardonnay. Other New World regions such as California produce some heavily oaked examples. This is not forgetting, of course, the Cote de Beaune region in Southern Burgundy in France, which produces some of the finest dry wines in the world. These typically display a variety of fruit flavours, along with woody, oak notes as a result of being fermented in oak barrels.

Chardonnay in Blends

If that wasn???t enough, Chardonnay is also often used in blends, leading to yet a different style of wine. You will generally come across Chardonnay blends at lower costs, as other, sometimes, cheaper grape varieties are mixed with the Chardonnay to help make it go further. Semillon -Chardonnay is a popular blend in Australia, while Colombard is often used in California and Chenin Blanc in South Africa. Viognier is also increasingly being paired with Chardonnay and provides an aromatic and peachy touch to the Chardonnay.

In summary, there???s a whole host of different styles of Chardonnay out there everything from fruity to oaky, light to full bodied and delicate to rich. But the important thing to remember is that if you find a style that you don???t like, don???t rule Chardonnay out completely - you???d be denying yourself from a lot of good wine

 

grapes wines

 

 

grapes wines

Louise Truswell works in the wine industry. She has been writing about wine for couple of years and is particularly interesting in helping enthusiasts enjoy wine, including grapes such as Chardonnay. ! To find out more and to choose from a wide range of Chardonnay, visit ,virginwines.com

grapes wines: grapes wines

grapes wines: grapes wines

Article Source: www.articlesnatch.com

With its fruit flavours, lashings of oak and heavy tannins, Cabernet Sauvignon is a very full-bodied wine and makes a great accompaniment for food. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted and popular grapes that you will come across. Read on to learn all about it.

Drinking Cabernet Sauvignon???

Despite first being planted in the 17th century, Cabernet Sauvignon is a relatively new grape in the wine world. It came about in France after winemakers crossed Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. However, since then, it has spread across the globe and there is hardly a winemaking region today where it isn???t grown - France, Italy, Spain, California, South America, Australia, you name it. Cabernet Sauvignon???s dominance has largely been due to the ease in which it can be cultivated and due to the fact that its thick skins are tough and are resistant to disease.

Cabernet Sauvignon is typically known for its deep blackcurrant flavours. Combine this with flavours of chocolate, tar and smoke and Cabernet Sauvignon makes a very rich, dark red wine, which is full of body and tannins.

???.In Blends

Cabernet Sauvignon is probably most well know for its role as a blending partner in traditional claret from Bordeaux, where it adds lots of structure and tannins when mixed with Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Wines from this region have gained the reputation as some of the most prestigious and sought after in the winemaking world, and although they don???t come cheap, you???ll get one incredible tasting bottle of wine. Winemakers from many other countries, those from the New World in particular, have followed suit and are now making some wonderful tasting Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blends to rival those coming out of Bordeaux. The only difference is, they often cost a fraction of the price!

???Solo

Cabernet Sauvignon isn???t only used in blends however. The grape works just as well when bottled solo. Australian winemakers were quick at spotting its talents and soon started pushing out very fruit filled styles at everyday prices. Other countries following suit include Chile, South Africa and USA.

???.With Food

If you are looking for a wine to drink with dinner then Cabernet Sauvignon should be top of your list. The heaviness of the wine often makes it too overpowering to drink on its own. Combine it with roasted red meat or hearty casseroles however and the heavy flavours of the food will be able to complement the deep, powerful flavours of the wine. It is also worth bearing in mind, that for the same reasons, Cabernet Sauvignon probably isn???t the best option for drinking on a hot summer day. You???re bound to find that if you save it for a cooler day, or for the evening or supper, it???s likely to taste much better (and probably won???t leave you with such a headache!)

 

grapes wines

 

 

grapes wines

Louise Truswell works in the wine industry. She has been writing about wine for couple of years and is particularly interesting in helping wine enthusiasts enjoy wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon. To find out more and to choose from a range of Cabernet Sauvignon, visit virginwines.com

grapes wines: grapes wines

grapes wines: grapes wines

Article Source: www.articlesnatch.com

For the unitiated, looking at the labels on a variety of different wines can be more than a little confusing. After all, unless you have extensive background knowledge of what names and varieties to look forward, the bottles themselves are no help at all; each wine, naturally, professes itself to be the greatest. It is therefore worth looking into some of the most common varieties of wine, so one can understand what is to be expected from a bottle containing a certain name on the label. One of the best known wines to begin an introduction with, is pinot noir.

Pinot noir - best pronounced ‘pee-no nwaah’ - is a red grape, and tends to produce red wines. Rose wine, though uncommon, is not unheard of when it comes to the pinot noir grape. It is more likely, however, that you will find yourself looking at a red wine when the name is mentioned. The name is taken from the French words ‘black’ and ‘pine’, a reference to the tight clusters formed by the grapes when on the vine - the grapes, naturally, being black.

Pinot noir can be manufactured almost anywhere in the world, though is particularly popular in cooler regions such as the north of France. It is a notoriously difficult grape to cultivate and turn into wine, though the results are said to be worth the considerable effort it takes to produce a bottle. Overall, it is largely considered to be among the best wines in the world.

The most famous region for producing pinot noir grapes is Burgundy, France. Due to the necessity for cooler temperatures, it is rarely seen in the New World wine industry of California. There is an attempt to buck this trend and produce pinot noir in California, noticeably in Sonoma County, with some success. However, it is unlike anywhere will ever replace Burgundy as the natural home of pinot noir.

The grapes are smaller than those used for wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon, though are not the smallest used in general. The smaller the berry, the more intense the flavour associated with it usually is; this is certainly true of pinot noir. Floral flavours are often associated with the pinot noir, particularly from Burgundy, and the flavour increases depending on the maturity of the wine.

Numerous flavours beyond the standard floral are associated with pinot noir, and learning them may help you associate exactly the type of wine pinot noir is. Black cherry tends to be the overriding flavour mentioned, with other notable hints such as vanilla, spice, raspberry, plum and black licorice. A good pinot noir should have a fair balance between tannis and acid flavours, and there should be an aftertaste of black cherries. Serving temperature is optimal at 61-69 degrees farenheit.

Pinot noir, therefore, is a wise choice for those who enjoy wines that are rich in flavour and taste. If you prefer crispness in wines, it may be best to look elsewhere, perhaps to some of the wines that are produced by mixing pinot noir with something more tart. Hopefully, you should now have a good idea of what kind of wine pinot noir is - all that’s left to do, is taste it.

 

grapes wines

 

 

grapes wines

Caterina Christakos grew up in the hotel and restaurant industry and loves to share her knowledge of wines and gourmet food. To discover just a few ways to have exotic wines delivered to your door go to http://wineclubsworldwide.co/Wine_of_the_Month_Clubs.html

grapes wines: grapes wines

grapes wines: grapes wines

Article Source: www.articlesnatch.com

A gourmet is a person devoted to the sumptuous delight of delicious food. Gourmet food is of the highest quality and flavor, prepared well and presented in an artful manner.

Stock is an extraction of every bit of flavor and body out of the ingredients. It forms the basis for cooking a variety of sauces, gravies, soups and stew making.

??? Chicken Stock is the building block of many soups, sauces and stews. It adds a depth of flavor and richness to soup, vegetable, pasta, rice, seafood and meat dishes.
??? Fish Stock and Lobster Stock are made form various fish and shellfish that have been cooked down with aromatics and wines into a rich sauce. They create a base for a variety of seafood dishes that are grilled, baked, and broiled.
??? Demi-glace is a sauce made from concentrated Brown Stock combined with Espangnole sauce. It is used to enhance the flavor of a variety of meat dishes that are saut??ed, roasted and grilled.
??? Beef/veal stock is derived from veal which is lean, light pink flesh, having delicate flavor and tender, firm texture. It is used when a lighter, sweeter meat flavor is desired.
??? Lamb Stock enhances the natural flavors and juices found in various lamb dishes.
??? Duck Fat is perfect as a substitute for butter and oil while doing saut?? for many dishes.
??? Turkey Stock has a deep, rich turkey flavor that is used in soups, stews, gravies and sauces.
??? Vegetable Stock is used for making vegetarian soups, sauces and grain dishes.

Gourmet Seasoning is used to enhance the natural flavors of meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, and a variety of grain dishes. .

??? Dry Rub usually consists of a variety of spices, used for seasoning poultry, beef, fish, and vegetables before cooking to intensify the natural flavors.
??? Extra Virgin Olive Oil is used for salad dressings, soups, and grilled food such as vegetables and fish. Most often used as a finishing oil rather than a cooking oil where a more delicate flavor is desired.
??? Truffle Oil is a combination of extra virgin olive oil and the most desired white truffles. They add an earthiness and mysterious depth of flavor to steak, pasta, fried eggs, mushroom dishes and cheese.
??? Balsamic Vinegar is a fragrant vinegar, usually made from the juice of ??~Trebbiano??? grapes. It has a sweet and sour flavor as a young balsamic. Aging balsamic vinegar in barrels adds a depth, character and sweetness to it over time
??? Dried Mushrooms are used in sauces, soups, stir-fry and stews. There are a large variety of mushrooms each imparting its own flavor from very mild to rich and bold earthy flavors and aromas to add to a variety of dishes.
??? Saffron Rice is a rice dish having an aroma and flavor of saffron.
??? Capers In Salt are unopened flower buds of Capers or caper-berries cured and preserved in sea salt giving them a sharp salty-sour flavor. They are basically used as a condiment.

Gourmet Cooking Sauces

??? Barbecue Sauce tops meat after cooking or during barbecuing, grilling, or baking.
??? Chocolate Syrup is a sauce that is usually added to food such as desserts. It adds additional layers of flavor that blends with berries, ice cream and yogurt for example.
??? Pomegranate Sauces combine the delicious natural flavors of the pomegranate fruit. An intensely tart/sweet flavor used to accent a variety of dishes from desserts to meats, chicken, seafood, salads, stews and more.

Gourmet Food and Specialty Food are generally superior in quality, made by artisans in smaller volume and adds the crowning touch to a variety of dishes.

If you are interested to know more about Specialty and Gourmet Food please search our site (http://www.clubsauce.com/) for more in-depth information and resources.

 

grapes wines

 

 

grapes wines

Jules Silver, the saucemaster of Club Sauce, specializing in demi glace and stocks by More Than Gourmet, pomegranate sauces and other fine quality specialty and gourmet food.

grapes wines: grapes wines

grapes wines: grapes wines

Article Source: www.articlesnatch.com

French wines have a sense of tradition and place like no other wines in the world. The history of wine is littered with references to France - so many grapes originated from there, and much of what we know about wine making is thanks to the French.

Yet these wines aren???t always the easiest to grasp and select. But don???t let that intimidate you. Get to know a few basic principles, and you???re on your way to an informed and rewarding experience.

* Taste, taste, taste. Be uninhibited in the new wines you consider. There are 19 grape varietals to pick from. Don???t let price limit you; feel free experiment with low- and high-end wines. You may discover a bargain.
* Explore different regions, from Bordeaux and Burgundy to the Rhone Valley and Champagne. Focus on each area???s specialty.
* Get a grasp on the designations ??" French wines can receive one of four. Strict rules regulate wines labeled AOC, or Appellation d’Origine Controlee. The rules help preserve the characteristics of French wines and involve region, variety, yield and other categories. French wines labeled VDQS, or Vin Delimite de Qualite Superieure, are held to the same standards as AOC, but have not yet earned their official AOC designation. Regulations governing wines labeled Vin De Pays are more lenient, especially in the case of varieties used. The label Vins De Table De France indicates entry-level wines.
* Research, especially if you plan to spend a lot of money. In a good year, be daring with your choices and go with the lesser-known producers; almost everyone makes good wine then. In difficult years, stick with well-known commodities.
* Keep a journal. Jot down the names of French wines you???ve tried, and what you thought about each one. What did you like? What didn???t you like? As you progress, taste some of your favorite varieties again, but from a different region. Record the subtle differences.

Just remember: Drink what you like and be adventurous in your choices. The next French wines you try may become your favorites.

 

grapes wines

 

 

grapes wines

James Landry is a wine specialist residing in the city of Los Angeles. Visit Supplewine.com for more information on french wines.

grapes wines: grapes wines

grapes wines: grapes wines

Article Source: www.articlesnatch.com

Welcome to your new blog. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

An email has been sent to you giving you details of how to log in to the administration section. From there you can change the design by clicking on the tab MANAGE and then click on the tab THEMES. If you have any questions, ask them in the forums — we are only too willing to help.