Verdil is a white grape variety indigenous to the Valencia region of eastern Spain. Verdil was nearly extinct but was rescued by local winemaker Daniel Belda. He was the first to produce and bottle a varietal wine of Verdil and continues to with each vintage. It is known for its aromas of apple and tropicalContinue reading “September 25th-Planta Nova and Verdil”
Author Archives: Theloosetannin
September 18th-Nerello Cappuccio
Nerello Cappuccio is a red grape indigenous to Sicily. It is less widely planted and lighter colored than Nerello Mascalese, the other Nerello grown in Sicily. They are commonly blended together in the vineyard or later in the cellar during the winemaking process. Nerello Cappuccio does not commonly have the character to make a varietalContinue reading “September 18th-Nerello Cappuccio”
September 11th-Petit Courbu
Petit Courbu is a white grape indigenous to the Jarançon region of southwest France. It is still mainly grown in this region and used in blended wines with other aromatic grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng. Petit Courbu is known for its aromatic qualities, especially its floral, citrus and honey notes.Continue reading “September 11th-Petit Courbu”
September 4th-Tibouren
Tibouren is an ancient red grape, which some theorize is indigenous to the Provence region along the French Riviera. It is most widely used in the production of rosé wines in Côtes de Provence AOC. Tibouren can be made into a varietal wine or blended with other grapes from the region, such as Grenache, Syrah,Continue reading “September 4th-Tibouren”
August 28th-Mallorcan Negre
As a follow up to last week, this week, I chose a red Mallorcan blend. The red grapes rescued from extinction are Callet, Gorgollassa, and Manto Negro. Callet is a rare Mallorcan grape typically used in blended wines due to the lighter style wines it produces on its own. It may be related to MantoContinue reading “August 28th-Mallorcan Negre”
August 21st- Mallorcan Blanc
Mallorca is part of the Balearic Islands, which are part of Spain. Mallorca is located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Barcelona and east of Valencia. Mallorcan wines are undergoing a revival after local and imported varieties nearly reached extinction. This revival started in the 1990s due to local winemakers investing in updated infrastructure andContinue reading “August 21st- Mallorcan Blanc”
August 14th-Persan
Persan is a rare red grape variety that is believed to have originated in Savoie. Some subscribe to other theories on its origin, such as it coming to France from Persia or Cyprus. Persan vines are known for producing ample small bunches of berries. Prior to the European phylloxera outbreak in the late 1800s, PersanContinue reading “August 14th-Persan”
August 7th-Dureza
Dureza is a red grape variety indigenous to northern Rhone. Dureza is a nearly extinct grape that is a genetic parent of Syrah. The other parent grape of Syrah is Mondeuse Blanche, a white mutation of Mondeuse Noir. Mondeuse, both noir and blanche, are indigenous to the Savoie region of southeastern France. Mondeuse Blanche stillContinue reading “August 7th-Dureza”
July 31st-Chatus
Chatus is an ancient red grape that was originally found in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy but also used to be the most widely planted grape in southern France to the Alps. Unfortunately, Chatus is susceptible to phylloxera. Following the phylloxera outbreak across Europe, the Chatus vines were not replanted and the grape wasContinue reading “July 31st-Chatus”
July 24th-Arbane
Arbane, or Crénillat as it is known in the Gier Valley in Loire, is an ancient white grape that has very limited plantings remaining. The majority of the total 1 hectare of plantings are in Champagne. A grower in Rhone has used DNA from old vines for the region to re-establish limited plantings of someContinue reading “July 24th-Arbane”
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 