Wines of the Month (September)

White Zinfandel
White Zinfandel, often abbreviated as White Zin, is an off-dry to sweet, pink-colored blush

wine. White Zinfandel is made from the Zinfandel wine grape, which would otherwise produce a bold and spicy red wine. As such, it is not a grape variety but a method of processing Zinfandel grapes. Rosé wines, also known as blush wine, is a wine that is somewhere in color between a white wine and red wine. While they can vary in color from pink wine, to salmon, to light red, rose wine doesn't quite fall into either the white or red spectrum.

Pair White Zinfandel with light meat, including chicken, pork and lamb. The general rule with wine pairing is white meats with white wines and red meat with red wine. As a sweet wine, White Zinfandel is best paired with light flavours so that it is not completely overpowered. Possible white meat options include grilled chicken, pork chops, chicken kebabs or chicken sandwiches. Pair White Zinfandel with seafood. As with white meat, white wines are commonly paired with seafood, including any variety of fish, lobster, cockles, crab cakes, clam chowder, Digby scallops, fish and chips and grilled or steamed shrimp.

Shiraz
(Sah-ra or Shi-raz) Syrah and Shiraz are two names for the

same variety. Europe vintners only use the name Syrah. Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are pronounced enough to consider them distinct varieties. Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and is virtually synonymous with marquee wine regions such as the Barossa Valley.

Shiraz wines display firm tannins (although they are typically ripe and smooth, not abrasive like younger reds can be), a medium to full body, and the rich round flavours of black cherry, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black pepper, clove, licorice, dark chocolate and smoked meat.

Toffee notes if present come not from the fruit but from the wine having rested in oak barrels. The Shiraz variety gives hearty, spicy reds. While Shiraz is used to produce many average wines it can produce some of the world’s finest, deepest, and darkest reds with intense flavors and excellent longevity.

Shiraz is great for grilled meats or veggies, wild game, richly flavoured red meats, in particular ribs as well as beef stew and meat lover's pizza.

There you have it, our two Wines of the Month.  I hope you will enjoy ! 

Edd Lawrence, Manager & Wine Crafter

Wine Kitz Digby

Wines of the Month (August)

Gewürztraminer - Australia
Back again, this aromatic wine grape variety, despite having a pink to red skin colour creates a white wine possessing a gentle spicy and rose petal aromatic experience.  The variety has high natural sugar and the wines are white and usually off-dry, with a flamboyant bouquet of lychees.  The name Gewürztraminer literally means "Spice coming from Tramin" or "Perfume coming from Tramin".  Although the species originated in Tramin, Italy, it has been produced from the cooler regions of Australia from the Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley and the island of Tasmania.

Gewürztraminer marries beautifully with rich, fatty dishes like pork and goose or ripe cheeses, as well as with the exotic spices of Moroccan, Indian, and Far Eastern cuisines.

Gamay Bergamais

Gamay Bergamais is an interesting blend of Gamay Noir and the Bergamais grape. The Bergamais wines are typically fruity, filling the nose with the aromas of cherries and plums and which exhibits a characteristically light bodied red wine. Bergamais is often served slightly chilled and possesses a colour that is usually lighter than your traditional reds. This paired with the dark-skinned variety of grape (Gamay) which adds a slight hint of strawberries creates a fresh, lively and juicy berry scent wine that delivers a crips finish on the palette. It is the perfect wine for casual parties and events, a 'nouveau style' of wine bringing a degree of sophistication and fun for all to enjoy. Those who favour whites only, may also enjoy this type of wine, as its lightness and taste shares similar characteristics with white wines. It's also the perfect wine to take with you on picnics, a lighter fare such as salads and sandwiches.
References

1.  Stuart Wilson (1996). Understanding, Choosing, and Enjoying Wine. London: Hermes House. p. 88. ISBN 0-681-18585-6.
2.  wineaccess.com: Gewürztraminer
3.  wikipedia: Gewürztraminer
4.  wikipedia: Gamay

Wines of the Month (July)

Riesling

Riesling is a light-skinned aromatic (wines with a fruity and floral aroma) grape of German origin.  The origins of the grape can be traced to the middle Rhine and the lower Mosel in Germany, which happen to be Europe's great wine rivers.  Recall in the last article, Piesporter can also be traced to the left bank of the Mosel River.

This same wine is produced in the "New World", notably, the Australian Riesling from Australia's Clare and Eden valleys, New Zealand's South Island regions and the famous ice wines of Canada are made mostly from Riesling grape.

Its floral undertones with a hint of honey creates a versatile wine for pairings from appetizers to desserts, poultry, pork, shellfish and almost anything in between.  It possesses a medium-dry sweetness and exhibits a medium body, making it the perfect wine with most foods.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon (often shortened to 'Cab Sav') is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties.  It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country.  It is often referred to as the 'King of Red Wine Grapes', hailing originally from Bordeaux and which has a significant presence in California's wine producing areas.   It is rivaled by its Bordeaux 'Merlot' and its opposite contender, 'Pinot Noir'.  Favouring warmer climates, it is most successful in Australia, Chile, South Africa and New Zealand.  Although, the powerhouse productions are found in France and Italy.  A common question asked relates to the difference between Merlot and Cab Sav. The answer is that they are made from different grapes.  Merlot is often described as a softer and more supple wine than the Cab Sav.   Cab Sav is described as having a bit more backbone and tannic strength than Merlot.  One of the most noted traits of Cabernet Sauvignon is its affinity for oak, either during fermention or in-barrel ageing.

Cab Sav is best paired with red meats, flavourful and heartier (red) pastas, in particular, penne arrabiata, strong-flavoured cheeses and dark chocolates.

References

1. Wine Searcher
2. wikipedia: Riesling
3. wine-searcher: Cabernet Sauvignon
4. wikipedia: Cabernet Sauvignon

Wines of the Month (May)

Gewürztraminer - Australia
This aromatic wine grape variety, despite having a pink to red skin colour creates a white wine possessing a gentle spicy and rose petal aromatic experience.  The variety has high natural sugar and the wines are white and usually off-dry, with a flamboyant bouquet of lychees.  The name Gewürztraminer literally means "Spice Traminer" or "Perfumed Traminer".  Although the species originated in Tramin, Italy, it has been produced from the cooler regions of Australia from the Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley and the island of Tasmania.

Gewürztraminer marries beautifully with rich, fatty dishes like pork and goose or ripe cheeses, as well as with the exotic spices of Moroccan, Indian, and Far Eastern cuisines.

Cabernet / Shiraz - Australia

An interesting blend of the Cabernet grapes variety with Shiraz (Syrah) grape producing a full-bodied wine possessing plenty of dark-fruit flavours with a hint of vanilla oak and spices. This blend coming from Australia keeps the formula as to the proportions under wraps, as this same blend may differ from place to place and season to season.

This bold wine tends to overwhelm light dishes. It is best sipped with red meat dishes, like steak and lamb, heavy cream dishes, and dark chocolate desserts.

References

1.  Stuart Wilson (1996). Understanding, Choosing, and Enjoying Wine. London: Hermes House. p. 88. ISBN 0-681-18585-6.
2.  wineaccess.com: Gewürztraminer
3.  wikipedia: Gewürztraminer
4.  wikipedia: Syrah
5.  wine-searcher.com: Cabernet-Syrah

Wines of the Month (April)

Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape which originates in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France. Its success as the most popular white wine, aside from its attributes, are now grown not only in France, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and England.  This line of grape is popular with wine producers because it produces high yields, and its low maintenance vines will grow in a broad spectrum of climates.   The Australian and New Zealand  Chardonnays are noted for their butterscotch and golden syrup flavours.  In addition, Chardonnays boast an impressive range of flavours from the expected buttered, oak overtones to the fruity flavours of apple, pear, melon which creates a lasting palate impression.

Chardonnay will pair well with poultry dishes, pork or seafood, especially with Digby scallops.  Recipes which have a heavy cream or butter base will also pair well.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon (often shortened to 'Cab Sav') is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties.  It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country.  It is often referred to as the 'King of Red Wine Grapes', hailing originally from Bordeaux and which has a significant presence in California's wine producing areas.   It is rivaled by its Bordeaux 'Merlot' and its opposite contender, 'Pinot Noir'.  Favouring warmer climates, it is most successful in Australia, Chile, South Africa and New Zealand.  Although, the powerhouse productions are found in France and Italy.  A common question asked relates to the difference between Merlot and Cab Sav. The answer is that they are made from different grapes.  Merlot is often described as a softer and more supple wine than the Cab Sav.   Cab Sav is described as having a bit more backbone and tannic strength than Merlot.  One of the most noted traits of Cabernet Sauvignon is its affinity for oak, either during fermention or in-barrel ageing.

Cab Sav is best paired with red meats, flavourful and heartier (red) pastas, in particular, penne arrabiata, strong-flavoured cheeses and dark chocolates.

References

1. wine-searcher: Chardonnay
2. wine-searcher: Cabernet Sauvignon
3. wikipedia: Chardonnay
4. wikipedia: Cabernet Sauvignon
5. about.com: Chardonnay

Wines of the Month (March)

Riesling

Riesling is a light-skinned aromatic (wines with a fruity and floral aroma) grape of German origin.  The origins of the grape can be traced to the middle Rhine and the lower Mosel in Germany, which happen to be Europe's great wine rivers.  Recall in the last article, Piesporter can also be traced to the left bank of the Mosel River.

This same wine is produced in the "New World", notably, the Australian Riesling from Australia's Clare and Eden valleys, New Zealand's South Island regions and the famous ice wines of Canada are made mostly from Riesling grape.

Its floral undertones with a hint of honey creates a versatile wine for pairings from appetizers to desserts, poultry, pork, shellfish and almost anything in between.  It possesses a medium-dry sweetness and exhibits a medium body, making it the perfect wine with most foods.

Chianti

Rolling hills of Chianti

The name "Chianti" is synonymous of excellent wine world-wide. The origin of Chianti are the gentle hills located in the famous wine region of Tuscanny, between Florence, Siena and Arezzo. The region was rich of forests, water and game had the characteristics of the highlands, and was not easily accessible, preserving the region from the destruction of barbarian invasions after the fall of the Roman Empire. However, during the medieval period, Chianti was the centre of civil wars between Siena and Florence, each of whom wanted control over these lands.  Many castles and fortresses in this area bear testimony to this difficult period of its history.  Some time after this period of warfare, some of the valleys were cleared and cultivated and which continue to produce the grapes today.

Today, there are at least seven zones defined by the Dalmasso Commission in 1932 which include Chitani Classico, Chianti Montalbano, Chianti Rufini, etc.  Its primary red grapes are of the Sangiovese and Canaiolo lines, whereas, the whites are Trebbiano and Malvasia.

This Tuscan treasure charms with bold, rich cherry fruit aromas and flavours of cocoa, vanila and ripe cranberries. Good tannis and a hint of oak make it a soft, balanced red.

References:

1. Wine Searcher
2. wikipedia: Riesling
3. Chianti

Wines of the Month (February)

Piesporter

Map depicting Piesport and the surrounding area

The grapes used to produce these kits were grown in California whose lineage of the grapes were originally sourced from the area around the community of Piesport on the left bank of the Mosel River in Germany. Interestingly, a large Roman grape pressing facility was unearthed at the Piesporter Goldtröpfchen vineyard site in 1985.  This discovery clearly indicates the importance of the vines cultivated on the slopes of Piesporter since 3 A.D.  The Romans recognized that the Mosel region provided ideal conditions and micro-climate for a successful viticulture.  The slope with its east and west facing foothills, are well-protected from the cold winds, combined with the forest above the vineyards and deep, clayish slate soils ensure perfect water supply even during hot, dry summers.

The white wines produced possess a natural, fruity sweetness in a presentation that one can fully enjoy a wine's fruitiness and armoas without having the slightest impression of an overly sweet wine.  The natural sweetness is achieved by stopping the fermentation thus preserving the pure and complete expression of the fruit from their respective sites from the region.

Vieux Château du Roi (Château Neuf Du Pape)

Vineyards located at Château Neuf Du Pape

The name roughly translated is "old house of the king".  Vieux Château du Roi or VCR is a name that wine kits makers' use to represent Château Neuf Du Pape ("new house of the pope") like wine blends.  The original name was coined from the time when Pope Clement V moved to Avignon in 1305 due to a conflict between the Papacy and the French Crown in the historic region in the southern Rhone Valley in France. Apparently, the Pope was an avid wine lover. Aside from being infatuated with wine, Pope Clement V's other memorable historical note was that he was ultimately responsible for suppressing the order of the Knights Templar.  Getting back to the subject of wine, in California, VCR is produced from a blending of a variety of grapes to imitate the complexities possessed by the original Château Neuf Du Pape. Such attributes as the ripeness of the grapes and the oak barrels used in ageing the red wine creates a lush wine with a polished texture.

References

1. The Wine Rambler
2. Reinhold Haart
3. Wine-Searcher
4. The Wine Cellar Insider