Wine terms: variety and varietal. What do they mean? Easy answer: variety is a noun. Varietal is an adjective. Continue reading “Variety and varietal”
Category: Wine & Grapes
Cellaring wine
So, you are investigating a wine refrigerator or thinking about building a wine cellar. What do you look for? Continue reading “Cellaring wine”
Vine stems
To destem or not to destem? Crushing wine world question. Continue reading “Vine stems”
Grape vine cycle
Grape vines were around long before human beings domesticated them. Today, we bend them to our will with trellis systems, pruning, and propagation through cuttings. But their life cycle remains unchanged. Continue reading “Grape vine cycle”
The amazing grape vine
Grape vines are amazing plants. They are gritty survivors. They grow on every continent except Antarctica. They are the highest and best use of agricultural land, especially when planted in wine grapes. Continue reading “The amazing grape vine”
Tannins
Wine tannins are the little girl with the curl. When they are good, they are very good indeed. But when they are bad they are horrid. Continue reading “Tannins”
Jean-Luc Baldès Clos Triguedina Malbec, Cahors 2011
Medium ruby-purple color; plum, tobacco, boysenberry on the nose; plum, dark fruits, black cherry, blackberry, pinch of peppermint on the palate. Continue reading “Jean-Luc Baldès Clos Triguedina Malbec, Cahors 2011”
Grape quantity per bottle
How many grapes does it take to make a bottle of wine? Depends, as it so often does in wine. Ballpark: 600 to 800 grape berries. Continue reading “Grape quantity per bottle”
Beeslaar Pinotage, Stellenbosch 2017
Deep purple color; plum, blackberry, black cherry, menthol on the nose; black plum, blackberry, anise, licorice, tobacco, chocolate on the palate. Continue reading “Beeslaar Pinotage, Stellenbosch 2017”
Bending Branch Winery Double Barrel Tannat 2017
Deep purple color; smokey black cherry, plum, blackcurrant, vanilla, bourbon barrel oak on the nose; plum, black cherry, blackcurrant, tobacco, leather, vanilla, caramel on the palate. Continue reading “Bending Branch Winery Double Barrel Tannat 2017”