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Wine Club members recieve 2 bottles of great wine each month. No hassles, no worries, pure enjoyment!
Varietal refers to a wine made from a grape variety like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay.
Most grapes used for winemaking are from one of two basic families: Vitis Vinifera, (originally from Europe, know as noble grapes) or Vitis Labrusca, (originating in the new world).
A hearty, full-bodied, and intense red wine. The Barbera varietal is used as a blending agent to produce Barbera d'Asti. The Barbera varietal is used in the production red wine, originating in the Piedmont Region of Italy. The grape is also grown in the United States (CA), South America, and Yugoslavia. Wines produced with the Barbera varietal tend to be dry, high in alcohol and acidity, low in tannins.
Closely related to the familiar Cabernet Sauvignon. Traditionally used in France as a blending partner in wines.
This is the varietal found in American Cabernet. In France, a Bordeaux, means a wine which is usually composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon, but is grown in the region called Bordeaux.
It is the primary white wine of Burgundy. Chardonnays also come from Washington State, Niagara Ontario and the cooler regions of California.
The main component of Vouvray. Grown in California, South Africa and the Loire Valley in France.
A grape varietal used in the production of light red wines, originating in the Rhône region of France. The Cinsault varietal has traditionally been viewed as a blending agent in wines such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Mourvédre, Muscadine, and Syrah.
The primary grape in red wine from the Beaujolais.
The name means "spice" in German. Originating in Germany and Austria, it's also grown in Italy, California, Niagara Canada and Australia.
Grenache is often used for rosé wine, and is common in France, Spain and California.
Merlot has become hugely popular in the US as a wine of its own, though traditionally, it has been used for blending with other grapes to shape the character of a wine. This is a friendly wine to everyone's palate, even a newcomer to the wine scene. It can offer up some rich berry, honey, or mint, and is not as tannic as a Cabernet Sauvignon.
This grape variety has been an important blending partner in Bordeaux along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and others. It has become the most popular red in Argentina, and now Chile is also getting in the act. It’s an amazing red! Deep color, ripe berry aromas and powerful fruity flavors.
A white grape variety from the Bordeaux region of France. Used to blend with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, primarily in Sauternes.
Grape varietal family comprised of 100’s of grapes ranging from white to black, believed to have originated in Alsace, France. Muscat is used in the production of white wine, fortified wines and also in the Italian sparkling wine, Asti Spumante.
A grape varietal, used in the production of red wine, originating in the Piedmont region of Italy. The Nebbiolo varietal is a blending agent in wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Gattinara.
The petite syrah typically makes a tannic wine which can be chocolaty and/or smoky. Related to Shiraz or Syrah grape.
A classic Alsatian and Italian varietal. A somewhat vigorous grape that can produce fruity whites that range from crisp and fresh to flabby. Often used in the production of sparkling wine in the U.S.
Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are actually the same white grape known by two different names.
The premier red-wine grape of the Burgundy region of France.
Used primarily in South African wines, Pinotage is a mix between pinot noir and Cinsault.
The Riesling grape is believed to be indigenous to Austria and Germany.
A red-wine grape grown in the Tuscany region of Italy. Used to make Chianti and other Tuscan reds.
It makes a crisp, light wine. It has been produced for many years in France. It came to California in the late 1800's.
This is an early-ripening grape which is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc. It is the primary grape in White Bordeaux wines, notably also in Sauternes.
Shiraz is the name of an old city in Iran (Persia).
Most commonly from the Rioja region of Spain.
This rare varietal originated in Condrieu, on the northern Rhône, in France.
An important red-wine grape grown mostly in California.
Tannin is a chemical substance in red wine that can act as a natural preservative.
Tannins come from the skin, seeds, and the stems of grapes and are dissolved into the wine as it is made.
Tannins can even be found in wine barrels (if the barrels have been used before).
Tannins add the "mouth drying" finish to red wine.
Sparkling wine: Serve very well chilled, around 40 degrees.
Serve well chilled, around 45 degrees.
Serve cellar temperature, around 55 degrees.
Light, acidic white wine (such as wine from Germany, Sancerre or Alsace): Serve well chilled, around 45 degrees.
Floral white wines (such as Sauvignon Blanc): Serve chilled, around 48 degrees.
Full-bodied, oaky whites (such as California Chardonnay): Serve cool, around 58 degrees.
Served well chilled, around 45 degrees.
Light, fruit reds (such as Beaujolais): Serve at cellar temperature, around 55 degrees.
Medium bodied reds (such as Syrah): Serve around 61 degrees.
Full-bodied, mature, tannic reds (such as Cabernet Sauvignon): Serve at a cool room temperature, 62-67 degrees.
Serve at around 55 degrees.
Decant old red wines to remove the sediment that has developed over the years. Before decanting an older wine be sure to stand it up for 6-12 hours so that the sediment settles to the bottom of the bottle. Decant just prior to serving and handle the wine very gently.
Wine glasses come in different shapes and characteristics, allowing the wine to "present" itself in the best fashion:
Young and Crisp White Wines (Fig.A)
Bodied and Mature White Wines (Fig.B)
Young and Crisp Rose Wines (Fig.C)
Bodied and Mature Rose Wines (Fig.D)
Young Red Wines (Fig.A)
Bodied or Mature Red Wines (Fig.B)
Full Bodied and Very Mature Red Wines (Fig.C)
Full Bodied and Very Mature Red Wines (Fig.D)
Wine bottles come in many sizes, shapes, and colors. Bottle shapes and colors have some standard usage, but none are official so they cannot be completely relied on for accuracy.
The high shouldered 'Bordeaux Bottle' is used by most wineries for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and most Meritage or Bordeaux blends. This is because those are the key grape varieties that are allowed for use in red wines from the Bordeaux region. The Bordeaux bottle is also generally used for Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. These are the primary grape varieties allowed in the production of white wines in Bordeaux.
The slope shouldered 'Burgundy Bottle' is generally used for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir around the world. These are the two key grape varieties used in the Burgundy region of France for white and red wine production. This shape is also used for many Loire Valley wines.
The tall 'Hoch Bottle' is used in Germany (green in the Mosel and brown in the Rhine) and also in Alsace (northeastern France). It is used by wineries in many parts of the world for several grape varieties including Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Muller-Thurgau.
equivalent to 187 ml or one-quarter of a standard wine bottle
375 ml
1.5 liters/2 standard bottles
3 liters/4 standard bottles (in BORDEAUX)
3 liters/4 standard bottles (in CHAMPAGNE) or 4.5 liters/6 standard bottles (in BORDEAUX)
4.5 liters/6 standard bottles (in CHAMPAGNE)
6 liters/8 standard bottles (in CHAMPAGNE)
6 liters/8 standard bottles (in Bordeaux)
9 liters/12 standard bottles
12 liters/16 standard bottles
15 liters/20 standard bottles