You can find over 1000 different kind of grapes used in wine-making. However, the noble grapes are those primarily used in the process. Noble includes both red and white grapes. The main white grapes will have very familiar-sounding names. These include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling. The red noble grapes are also all widely-known. They are Merlot, Syrah (also known as Shiraz), Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Pinot Noir.
You have probably gone into your supermarket and noticed that wine is often organised by country. In the wine-making world, these countries are divided into two types. They are Old World Wine and New World Wine. Old World wine consists of countries where there is a long tradition of wine-making. Most of these countries are in Europe. France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria and Greece are just a few examples of Old World wine. However, there are North African and Mediterranean countries that also make Old World wine. New World wine refers to wine from countries like the USA, Australia, New Zealand and South America.
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.
And now for a look at New World wine. California is one of the leading new world wine-making countries. Here the Napa and Sonoma Valleys are widely recognised as the leading wine-producing regions. The grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are said to be the most prevalent.
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.
You have probably gone into your supermarket and noticed that wine is often organised by country. In the wine-making world, these countries are divided into two types. They are Old World Wine and New World Wine. Old World wine consists of countries where there is a long tradition of wine-making. Most of these countries are in Europe. France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria and Greece are just a few examples of Old World wine. However, there are North African and Mediterranean countries that also make Old World wine. New World wine refers to wine from countries like the USA, Australia, New Zealand and South America.
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.
And now for a look at New World wine. California is one of the leading new world wine-making countries. Here the Napa and Sonoma Valleys are widely recognised as the leading wine-producing regions. The grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are said to be the most prevalent.
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.
