Hondarrabi has 2 distinct versions, a white (Zuri) and a red (Beltza) grape. Both are indigenous to the Basque region of northern Spain, but Zuri is substantially more common. Both grapes are the primary grapes used in the production of Txakoli (cha-co-li) wines, the customary wine from this region. By law, these wines must containContinue reading “July 27th-Hondarrabi Beltza and Zuri”
Category Archives: Monthly Schedules
July 20th-Valdiguie and Negrette
Last week, I escaped the unseasonably cold and gross weather of the Pacific Northwest to explore the area of Paso Robles in central California. The purpose of the trip was to experience more of the region than I had previously, and I definitely managed that! When all was said and done, I had tasted atContinue reading “July 20th-Valdiguie and Negrette”
July 6th-Fendant (Chasselas)
A few weeks back, I had stopped into my local wine shop to pick up a few bottles and sat down at the bar for a glass. While talking with other guests, the shop owner was speaking to his father-in-law about a regular customer that stops in periodically and brings bottles of wine from Switzerland.Continue reading “July 6th-Fendant (Chasselas)”
June 29th-Moscatel and Doradilla
Moscatel, aka Muscat of Alexandria or Moscato, is an aromatic wine grape that is commonly used to make wines of varying levels of sweetness. It is one of the oldest grapes in the world that has remained genetically unmodified. It has been debated where this ancient vine originated. Some believe it comes from Egypt, asContinue reading “June 29th-Moscatel and Doradilla”
June 22nd-Carricante
This week we are continuing around the island of Sicily to another of the authorized grape varieties on the island, Carricante. Carricante is an ancient indigenous white grape and the main grape in Etna Bianco, DOC wines. These wines must, by law, contain a minimum of 60% Carricante. There is also a level of wineContinue reading “June 22nd-Carricante”
June 8th-Catarratto
Catarratto is a white grape variety from the island of Sicily, off the toe of the boot of southern Italy. It has a long history and is the most widely planted grape variety in Sicily. However, production has been on the decline over the past few years in favor of international grape varieties. There areContinue reading “June 8th-Catarratto”
June 1st-Muscadet/Melon Blanc
This week I wanted to discuss the white grape Muscadet, aka Melon de Bourgogne or Melon Blanc. In seeing the name Muscadet, it is common to think it is similar to the famous Muscat. Likewise, when seeing the name Melon de Bourgogne, some believe the wines come from the Burgundy region of France. These assumptions,Continue reading “June 1st-Muscadet/Melon Blanc”
May 25th-Greco di Tufo
Greco di Tufo has the distinction of not just being a grape, but also being the name of a recognized wine area within the Campania region of Italy. The Greco variety exists as both a white grape (Greco bianco) and a purple grape (Greco nero). Greco di Tufo is a clone of the Greco biancoContinue reading “May 25th-Greco di Tufo”
May 18th-Caprettone
Caprettone is a white grape that originates from the Campania region of Southwestern Italy, around the city of Naples. This region is heavily influenced by Mount Vesuvius (pictured on the wine label) and the volcanic soils of the area. Caprettone is almost entirely grown in the Vesuvio DOC (denominazione di origine controllata, meaning a wineContinue reading “May 18th-Caprettone”
May 11th-Xarel·lo
Xarel·lo is a white grape native to the Catalunya region of northeastern Spain. It is one of three varieties notably found blended in the sparkling wine Cava. It is used in the traditional blend for Cava because it adds a high level of acid that balances out the richer texture of the grape Macabeo. CavaContinue reading “May 11th-Xarel·lo”
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 