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Wine Characteristics
Each grape varietal presents itself in unique ways. This section gives you an overview of
the characteristics of the grapes. Winemakers, soil and the growing conditions will also bring unique qualities of to a wine. Varietals and their
Characteristics.
Blends: Blended wines, such as Bordeaux’s, Cabernet Blends, and white blends take on all the flavors and tastes of the
components used to make the wine. They can be light to full bodied, from dry to sweet. It is best to know the wine when recommending blended wines.
Cabernet Franc: A medium
to full bodied wine with raspberry and notes of lavender, medium dry or fruity.
Cabernet Sauvignon: The most popular red wine. Medium to full-bodied red
wine with black cherry and tobacco flavors. Dry.
Carmenere:
The wine is cherry-like, fruity flavor with smokey, spicy and earthy notes and a deep crimson color. Its taste
might also be reminiscent of dark chocolate, tobacco, and leather.
Chardonnay: The most
popular white wine. Can be medium to full bodied, with apple, pear and tropical fruit flavors. Can be light and crisp or full and buttery.
Gewurztraminer: Medium
bodied, aromatic spicy white wine with nectarine fruit and cinnamon. Can be dry, fruity, or sweet.
Malbec:
Ripe fruit flavors of plums and blackberry give it a jammy characteristic. The tannins are typically a bit
tight and the earthy, wood-like appeal makes for a fairly rustic wine.
Merlot: Medium to
full-bodied red wine, with plum, cherry and chocolate flavors. Merlot is softer than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Petit verdot: When
young its aromas have been likened to banana and pencil shavings. Strong tones of violet and leather develop as it matures
Pinot Noir: A medium
bodied aromatic red wine, refreshing raspberry, cherry, blueberry fruit with a rich sensual character.
Riesling: Light aromatic
white wine with peach and lemon fruit flavors. Can be dry to fruity to sweet.
Sangiovese: An Italian
grape made into a dry medium bodied red wine. Dried black cherry, earthy, exotic, Spicy. Much like Chianti.
Sauvignon Blanc: Light to
medium bodied aromatic white wine with melon lemon and grapefruit flavors. Ranges from crisp and dry to fruity.
Shiraz/Syrah: A
wonderful medium to full-bodied red wine, with blackberry fruits and pepper, dry.
Zinfandel: Medium to
full-bodied red wine, blackberry and blueberry fruit with an earthy character, spicy, bold and full. Can be dry or fruity.
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