Knowing Your Wines...

White

Chardonnay - The Chardonnay grape variety is a classic white wine grape and grown all around the world.  It typically smells like apples, lemons, peaches, and tropical fruits.  It ages well in the bottle, though it will not age as long as many red wines.  With its relatively high acids, full-bodied nature and incredible versatility, Chardonnay can be enjoyed alone or with a wide variety of flavorful dishes.

Riesling - Its homeland is Germany where it has been cultivated since the 1400s.  It has a strong personality being highly acidic, yet very adaptable.  One of the most recognizable features in a Riesling is its styles ranging from dry to richly sweet.  Young Riesling wines can smell like peaches, mint, lime, and honey but as they age they begin taking on gasoline-like tones.

Sauvignon Blanc - One of Sauvignon Blanc's greatest qualities is its incredible adaptability in the vineyard.  It has distinct and recognizable characteristics.  It presents aroma and flavor descriptors of grass, gooseberries and asparagus.  Young wines may have a green tinge and aged wines can present deep yellow and golden.

Chenin Blanc - The grape varietals of Chenin Blanc are most often used in the production of white wine, originating in the Loire region of France.  Chenin Blanc seems to be one of the world's most underrated grapes.  Most often, it is blended to produce a domestic Chablis, California sparking wines, and cheaper jug wines.

Gewurztraminer - Alsace is its home and it produces some rich tapestry of fruity, floral, and spicy tastes.  Its texture can be characterized as rich and smooth.  Like Riesling, it can be harvested late to produce classy wines.  Gewurztraminer is an exciting stand alone wine.

Muscat - The wine made with sweet Muscatel grapes.

Red

Merlot - Merlot started out as a Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux and has risen to international popularity.  Merlot is softer, fruiter, and earlier maturing than Cabernet Sauvignon and displays some of the same aromas along with mint and tobacco.  In general, drink Merlot young.

Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Sauvignon is the big daddy of the red wine world.  Many people think of it as being a wine that needs to age, but that is only because the best red Bordeaux need age.  Most non-premium varieties are ready to go right away.  Under ideal conditions, it produces an aromatic, tannic wine that ages and evolves to be both elegant and powerful.  Perfectly balanced Bordeaux is one that has classic notes of black-currants, cedar, cigar boxes, pencils, mint, and dark chocolate.

Syrah - Called Shiraz in Australia and South Africa, Syrah is one of the greats of southeastern France's Rhone Valley grape.  France produces wines that are smoky, herby, and austere.  Australian Shiraz tends to be richer and softer with a feathery quality. All Syrah/Shiraz need a year or two from the vintage to hit its stride.  Top wines will last about 10 years.

Pinor Noir - A good mature Pinot Noir has complex flavors of strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, violets, all-spice, tobacco and hay.  It is relatively low in tannin and acidity and needs a cool climate to grow.

Zinfandel - Winemakers in California produce virtually all of the Zinfandel grapes today.  The best Zinfandel is spicy and heartwarming.  Styles range from off-white to high intensity sweet wines.  The character of Zinfandel is strongest when the wine is not more than 3 or 4 years old.

Sparkling

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