Cortese is the white grape used in the production of Gavi or Cortese di Gavi DOCG wines in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Gavi is usually a light bodied still wine with moderately intense aromas of citrus and bright acidity. It is commonly paired with seafood that is caught in the towns on theContinue reading “December 4th-Sparkling Cortese (Gavi)”
Author Archives: Theloosetannin
November 27th-Schioppettino
Schioppettino is a red grape indigenous to the Friuli region of northeastern Italy. ‘Scoppietio’ translates to crackle, which likely comes from the thick skin on the grapes that is said to crackle in the mouth. It could also be due to the lightly sparkling nature of the wines made from this grape. Schioppetino was moreContinue reading “November 27th-Schioppettino”
November 20th-Grao Negro and Garnacha Tintorera
Grao Negro and Garnacha Tintorera are grapes developed in southern France in the mid 19th century by crossing lesser known varieties. Grao Negro also is known by the name Grand Noir. Garnacha Tintorera is more commonly known as Alicante Henri Bouschet. Garnacha Tintorera is a teinturier grape variety, just like Alicante Bouschet. This means thatContinue reading “November 20th-Grao Negro and Garnacha Tintorera”
November 13th-Caiño Blanco and Dona Branca
Caiño Blanco is a white grape indigenous to Galicia, Spain and Portugal. It is often confused with Albariño, the famous white grape of the Galicia region. It is believed to possibly be an offspring of Albariño. Dona Branca is another white grape from Portugal. Its name translates to ‘white lady’ and is said to beContinue reading “November 13th-Caiño Blanco and Dona Branca”
November 6th-Alvarelhão
Alvarelhão is a dark red grape indigenous to Portugal, either the Dão or Douro regions. It also goes by the name Brancellao in Galicia, Spain. The size and skin thickness has variations depending on where the plantings are found. In Galicia, the grapes are smaller and thicker skinned. Smaller grapes produce more concentrated flavors andContinue reading “November 6th-Alvarelhão”
October 30th-Fetească Neagră
Fetească Neagră is an old red grape that is likely indigenous to the Moldavia region in both Moldova and Romania. It spread west to Transylvania (the home of Bran Castle and the real Dracula, Vlad the Impaler). Fetească Neagră translates to ‘black young girl’. The vines are resistant to cold temperatures, down to -8℉, allowingContinue reading “October 30th-Fetească Neagră”
October 23rd-Negramoll
Negramoll is a dark red, thick skinned grape that is grown on Tenerife, one the Spanish Canary Islands. The origin of the grape is unknown but it was determined to be a genetic match to an ancient grape from Andalucia, Spain. As of 2008, according to Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson, et al, all plantingsContinue reading “October 23rd-Negramoll”
October 16th-Moravia Agria
Moravia Agria is a dark red Spanish grape that, when the small plantings are located, are found in the region of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. It has mostly been neglected over the years because of how difficult it is to grow. It is susceptible to fungal diseases, so it does best in arid areasContinue reading “October 16th-Moravia Agria”
October 9th-Malvar and Airén
Malvar and Airén are great examples of a dichotomous pair of wine grapes. Airén is the most widely planted white grape in Spain, with most plantings occurring in the central Spanish region of La Mancha. It is usually made into nondescript jug wines or distilled in the production of brandy. It has also been usedContinue reading “October 9th-Malvar and Airén”
October 2nd-Sparkling Moscato
Moscato is an aromatic white grape variety that I previously discussed back in March. It is usually made into a varietal wine with varied levels of sweetness. A few weeks ago while tasting at my local wine shop, a sales rep from a distributor told me about a unique iteration of a sparkling Moscato. ThisContinue reading “October 2nd-Sparkling Moscato”
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 