Category: Grape varieties

Taste: Exotic floral and fruity fragrance with flavors of apple, pear and apricot together with nutty elements and mineral notes. Body: Medium to full Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Low to medium Age: Drink while young and fresh. Description Arneis (ar-NAYZ) is an elegant grape variety from Piedmont in northwest Italy, which almost disappeared by the early 1970s. Fortunately, there was…

Taste: Aromas of white flowers with citrus and stone fruit flavors of lemon, lime and peach, accompanied by mineral notes. A light oak touch can add some complexity. Body: Light to medium Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Generally should be drunk young, within two years of release, but the best wines can age well in bottle for several…

Taste: Aromas of red and black fruits, with hints of cassis and spices are followed by flavors of cherry, raspberry, mulberry and blackberry, leading to a slightly bitter, but very pleasant, finish. Oak can add additional vanilla and smoky notes. Body: Medium Tannin: Medium Acidity: Medium to high Age: Drink within a couple of years of release. The best…

Taste: Intense and complex perfume of rose petals, lavender, lychees and Turkish delight with a musky spiciness. Body: Full with high alcohol. Dry / Sweet: Dry, off-dry, medium-dry or sweet (if in doubt ask supplier). Acidity: Low Age: Drink while young and fresh. Description Gewürztraminer (guh-vurts-TRA-MEE-NER) is one of the most individual and distinctive of all grape varieties. It has…

Taste: Aroma of flowers (honeysuckle) and dried fruits with tropical fruit flavors of banana, mango, melon and peach, along with hints of honey and spice. Body: Full with a rich texture. Dry / Sweet: Dry to medium-dry Acidity: Low Age: Drink while young Aka: Also known as Grauburgunder in Germany and often labeled as Ruländer when made as a sweet wine in…

Taste: Aromas of acacia, hawthorn, lemon and brioche are followed by flavors of apple, pear, citrus fruits and herbs, together with mineral notes and a nutty finish.  Note: many poor examples are sharp and lacking in flavor. Body: Light to medium Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Generally drink within two years of release, but the best wines can…

Taste: Aromas of flowers (honeysuckle), grass, citrus and stone fruits are followed by flavors of apple, apricot, grapefruit, lemon, peach and honeydew melon, along with a fine mineral (stone / seashell) edge. Body: Light (many from Spain can be more medium bodied with a soft texture). Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Drink while young and fresh, although the…

Taste: Concentrated and complex. Aromas of black fruits, violets, herbs, leather and smoky notes are followed on the palate by flavors of prunes, blackberries, coffee, chocolate and even tar.  Body: Full Tannin: High Acidity: High Age: Generally requiring 3 to 5 years to soften its tannic structure. Modern production techniques mean that some wines are ready to drink on…

Taste: Rich and refined with aromas of red and black fruits, herbs and spice, followed by rich fruit flavors of plum, red cherry and blackberry, along with spicy pepper and oaky notes. Body: Medium to full Tannin: Medium to high Acidity: Low to medium Age: Drink within a few years of release. The biggest wines…