In the production of any fine wine, the calibre of the grapes is perhaps the most important factor in determining the overall quality of the resulting wine. This article will provide examples of some of the very finest and most popular varieties of grape for fine wine production, as well as their characteristics and what this means for the resulting wine.
The Roman Empire Improving on methods used by the Greeks, who stored their wine in ceramic urns as vats, the Romans came up with the idea to allow wine to age to improve its quality, sometimes for up to 25 years, and did so using oak barrels. Significantly, that method of allowing the wine to breathe in the wooden barrels remains a technique used by wine manufacturers today.
The Chardonnay grape is now grown worldwide but is another that originated in the Burgundy region. It remains a favourite grape for winemakers looking to make their first moves into fine wine, as an easy to cultivate premium grape. It grows most eagerly when in soil with high levels of limestone, explaining why such fine Chardonnay wines are produced in Chablis, Champagne and Cte D`Or. As a naturally neutral grape, the resulting fine wines vary wildly depending on the preferences of the winemaker and as a result of the oak and terroir.
The Church The fall of the Roman Empire did not bring wine production to a halt, as after its demise documentation reveals that the upper classes enjoyed wine produced by the church. It was at this stage that different tastes of wines were introduced as monks discovered that using different types of wood for barrels affecting the flavour.
The Merlot grape tends towards very smooth, velvety fine wines at a range of acidities and is often blended with the Cabernet Sauvignon to create a soft, subtle wine. It is possible to use these dark blue grapes to produce excellent white wines as well as reds by pressing the grapes and allowing the juice to have very little contact with the skin. One difficulty in cultivating the Merlot grape is the speed with which it will over-ripen, having reached optimal ripeness. As a result, the Merlot is more often grown in relatively cool regions to slow the ripening process and allow more time for harvesting.
The Roman Empire Improving on methods used by the Greeks, who stored their wine in ceramic urns as vats, the Romans came up with the idea to allow wine to age to improve its quality, sometimes for up to 25 years, and did so using oak barrels. Significantly, that method of allowing the wine to breathe in the wooden barrels remains a technique used by wine manufacturers today.
The Chardonnay grape is now grown worldwide but is another that originated in the Burgundy region. It remains a favourite grape for winemakers looking to make their first moves into fine wine, as an easy to cultivate premium grape. It grows most eagerly when in soil with high levels of limestone, explaining why such fine Chardonnay wines are produced in Chablis, Champagne and Cte D`Or. As a naturally neutral grape, the resulting fine wines vary wildly depending on the preferences of the winemaker and as a result of the oak and terroir.
The Church The fall of the Roman Empire did not bring wine production to a halt, as after its demise documentation reveals that the upper classes enjoyed wine produced by the church. It was at this stage that different tastes of wines were introduced as monks discovered that using different types of wood for barrels affecting the flavour.
The Merlot grape tends towards very smooth, velvety fine wines at a range of acidities and is often blended with the Cabernet Sauvignon to create a soft, subtle wine. It is possible to use these dark blue grapes to produce excellent white wines as well as reds by pressing the grapes and allowing the juice to have very little contact with the skin. One difficulty in cultivating the Merlot grape is the speed with which it will over-ripen, having reached optimal ripeness. As a result, the Merlot is more often grown in relatively cool regions to slow the ripening process and allow more time for harvesting.
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