Clairette is an ancient white grape from Southern France dating back as far as the 15th century. It is commonly used in blended wines with different grapes such as Vermentino, Ugni Blanc, Terret, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and even some red blends, depending on the region it is being cultivated in. In addition to making dryContinue reading “Dec 14th-Clairette”
Category Archives: Monthly Schedules
December 7th-Viura/Macabeo
During my recent studies, my instructor spoke of Viura and how gracefully it ages. So, when I was perusing the shelves of my local wine shop, I was excited to spot a bottle from 2015. Viura, as it is known in the regions of Rioja and Rueda, also goes by the more common name ofContinue reading “December 7th-Viura/Macabeo”
Nov 30th-Çalkarasi
When I think of rosé wines, the first place, or even the 10th place, to spring to mind isn’t Turkey but that is where this week’s bottle was produced. Çalkarasi (Chal-kara-see) is a red grape indigenous to the Çal district of the Denizli province. It is located about 330 miles south of Istanbul in westernContinue reading “Nov 30th-Çalkarasi”
Nov 23rd-Freisa
Friesa is one of the oldest red grape varieties from the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. It is a close relative of Nebbiolo. Due to its sharp acidity, heavy tannins and bitter finish, it is commonly made into gently sparkling wines or still wines with some residual sugar to help balance these attributes. DOC lawsContinue reading “Nov 23rd-Freisa”
Nov 16th-Uva Rara and Vespolina
Uva Rara and Vespolina are both red grapes that are indigenous to the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It would be reasonable to assume that Uva Rara is the rarer variety of the two, but that would be incorrect. Its name literally means ‘rare grape’ but this is a reference to the bunch size andContinue reading “Nov 16th-Uva Rara and Vespolina”
Nov 9th-Beier
The grape I chose for this week, Beier, is so obscure, it’s not even listed in my thousand plus page compendium of wine grape varieties. It was another of those bottles that magically found its way into my wine bag at the recommendation of the merchants at my local wine shop. From the tiny amountsContinue reading “Nov 9th-Beier”
November 2nd-Biancu Gentile
This week, we venture to the French island of Corsica to find the rare white grape, Biancu Gentile. Corsica is located in the Mediterranean, to the north of Sardinia and directly south of Genoa, Italy. Biancu Gentile has been growing on the island since at least the early 1800’s. It commonly gets misidentified as someContinue reading “November 2nd-Biancu Gentile”
Oct 26-Timorasso
Timorasso is a white grape from the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is another of the white grapes indigenous to this area where reds reign supreme. It was rare in the not too distant past but is seeing a resurgence in notoriety. Some speculate, though unconfirmed, that writings documenting this vine’s existence date backContinue reading “Oct 26-Timorasso”
Oct 19th-Monica
A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to taste some wines produced on the island of Sardinia, located to the west of mainland Italy, just north of the African country of Tunisia. Sardinia produces some fairly well known grapes (Vermentino, Gracianio), as well as a few that are lesser known (Monica, Nuragus). Monica isContinue reading “Oct 19th-Monica”
Oct 12th-Spergola
Spergola is a white grape variety indigenous to the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. Although the grape is mentioned in text at least as far back as the early 19th century, until recently, it was believed to be the same as Sauvignon Blanc. Genetic testing proved it to be a unique variety in 2001. TheContinue reading “Oct 12th-Spergola”
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 