Vitis Vinifera is the main grape used to make wine. The blanket name given to wine-making grapes is "noble grapes." These include white grapes and red grapes. The white grapes are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio. The red grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Grenache. These are just the main grapes. In reality, there are over one thousand different grape varieties.
Obviously, you can buy wine that comes from countries all over the world. However, these countries have been split into two categories. For the purpose of identification they are known as Old World and New World wine countries. Old World wine includes wine made in France, Germany, Spain, England, Romania, Austria, Greece and Italy. New World wines are made in countries that include Australia, new Zealand, America, Chile and Argentina.
France contains many famous wine-making regions. Arguably the most popular region is Bordeaux. Bordeaux produces many red wines. These are usually called Claret. It is also known for having the oldest wine classification system. This goes all the way back to 1855. But this is only used on wine made on the left bank of the Dordogne. The Loire Valley is another famous wine region in France. This is where Sancerre comes from. The appellation of Sancerre lies almost entirely on the left bank of the Loire river. It is famed mainly for producing Sauvignon Blanc. However, Pinot Noir also comes from there.
Spain's equivalent of Bordeaux is known as La Rioja. It is sub-divided into three further areas. These are Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. The wine made in La Rioja is a mixture of red, white and ros. However, red is the predominant wine produced there. Italy's equivalent wine-region is Chianti. This is located in central Tuscany.
We shall focus on New World wine now. California is one of the biggest New World wine-producing regions. Most wine is produced in Napa or the Sonoma Valley. Cabernet and Zinfadel are commonly grown here. However, California has also established a reputation for numerous varieties of Chardonnay. Many examples are deemed as being over-oaked and bloated.
You have probably heard of the Australian brand "Jacob's Creek". This is extremely popular worldwide. Nevertheless, Australia offers many diverse wine-making regions. These include Margaret River in Western Australia and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. These regions grow the Semillion grape. This is used to make dry and sweet white wines. The red grape Shiraz is closely associated with the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia.
New Zealand is another New World country making waves with their quality offerings. Most of their output is a fresh tasting Sauvignon Blanc. This is made and bottled in the Marlborough region. Pinot Noir is also becoming popular. It is cultivated in the Central Otago region of the country.
Obviously, you can buy wine that comes from countries all over the world. However, these countries have been split into two categories. For the purpose of identification they are known as Old World and New World wine countries. Old World wine includes wine made in France, Germany, Spain, England, Romania, Austria, Greece and Italy. New World wines are made in countries that include Australia, new Zealand, America, Chile and Argentina.
France contains many famous wine-making regions. Arguably the most popular region is Bordeaux. Bordeaux produces many red wines. These are usually called Claret. It is also known for having the oldest wine classification system. This goes all the way back to 1855. But this is only used on wine made on the left bank of the Dordogne. The Loire Valley is another famous wine region in France. This is where Sancerre comes from. The appellation of Sancerre lies almost entirely on the left bank of the Loire river. It is famed mainly for producing Sauvignon Blanc. However, Pinot Noir also comes from there.
Spain's equivalent of Bordeaux is known as La Rioja. It is sub-divided into three further areas. These are Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. The wine made in La Rioja is a mixture of red, white and ros. However, red is the predominant wine produced there. Italy's equivalent wine-region is Chianti. This is located in central Tuscany.
We shall focus on New World wine now. California is one of the biggest New World wine-producing regions. Most wine is produced in Napa or the Sonoma Valley. Cabernet and Zinfadel are commonly grown here. However, California has also established a reputation for numerous varieties of Chardonnay. Many examples are deemed as being over-oaked and bloated.
You have probably heard of the Australian brand "Jacob's Creek". This is extremely popular worldwide. Nevertheless, Australia offers many diverse wine-making regions. These include Margaret River in Western Australia and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. These regions grow the Semillion grape. This is used to make dry and sweet white wines. The red grape Shiraz is closely associated with the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia.
New Zealand is another New World country making waves with their quality offerings. Most of their output is a fresh tasting Sauvignon Blanc. This is made and bottled in the Marlborough region. Pinot Noir is also becoming popular. It is cultivated in the Central Otago region of the country.
