RIESLING
Enthusiasts
of Riesling wines believe the grapes to be among the finest there
are. These vines originate from Germany and Alsace but Riesling is
now cultivated throughout the world.
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GEWURZTRAMINER
These
grapes, renowned in association with Alsace, are known as Traminer in
Germany and Italy. Wines from these grapes can be either dry or
sweet. There are two types of Gewiirztraminer in Alsace: lighter,
fairly dry, to drink young, and a more full bodied, heavier type that
usually has sugar residues. There are also honey sweet wines from
late harvested grapes, sometimes individually selected by hand. This
is dealt with more fully when we describe the wines of Alsace.
Some
say that Gewiirztraminer wines are strongly spicy. Personally, I have
not found this to be the case, rather a fat, full, enormously
concentrated wine with an overemphatic perfume and taste that readily
conjures flowers and overripe fruit. Some wines also have an
inexplicable hint of the skins of Muscat grapes.
MUSCAT
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PINOT
BLANC
Well-known
from Alsace but also grown in Italy and the Balkans. Pinot Blanc
wines from Alsace and Italy are fairly neutral, pleasant, and with
little acidity.
Pinot
Blanc vines in Slovenia (known as Beli Pino) can produce wines of
exceptional style. In the area around Ormoz the grapes are sometimes
harvested very late. This imbues the wine with tremendous complexity
and the potential to be laid down for some time.
SYLVANER
(SILVANER)
These
grapes are known as Silvaner in Germany and are best known from
vineyards in Germany and Alsace where light and elegant wines are
produced with them that have a recognisable but light floral bouquet
with a hint of herbs.
VIOGNIER
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MACCABEO/VIURA
These
grapes are known as Viura in Rioja and Navarra but elsewhere in Spain
and in Catalan parts of France they are known as Maccabeo. Viura
generally produces a very vulnerable, light, fresh and fruit wine
that does not age well. Although some wholly Viura wines are of
reasonable quality, connoisseurs - especially those in Navarra -
prefer a blend of about two-thirds Viura to one third Chardonnay.
This provides the wine with more of a backbone and makes it rounder.
This
list of grapes grown for wine making is not comprehensive. There are
countless other varieties that can be encountered on a tour around
the world.
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