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What exactly gives your favorite glass of wine its unique character?
Believe it or not, the United States consumes the most wine of any country in the world--guzzling down a whopping 33 million hectoliters per year according to Statista, the most popular variety being Merlot. France and Italy are the second and third biggest consumers of wine.
A lot more than just the type of grape used differentiate between each type of wine. Other factors that can affect flavor are the type of container that the wine ferments in, when the grapes are picked, and the climate in which they grow. Keep reading to learn a few facts about Merlot, Rose, Chardonnay and Champagne, sure to be conversation starters at your next get together.
MERLOT
Merlot is a French word that translates to little blackbird. Merlot grapes are dark blue in color, soft, fleshy and low in tannins.
Merlot first rose in popularity when it began to be mixed with Cabernet Sauvignon to create Bordeaux French wine. Merlot grapes arrived in California in the mid-nineteenth century and American winemakers began making and selling wine using 100% Merlot grapes. To this day, American consumers appreciate the low tannin levels and softness of the wine. Merlot wines typically have 13–14.5% alcohol by volume. Experts suggest enjoying Merlot wine at 65°F.
Merlot grapes are known as chameleons as they take on the character of the location and winemaking techniques, therefore the flavor varies depending on where the grapes are grown.
This Merlot is described by the producer Tenuta Luce as having " deep, brilliant colour with purplish highlights. Lucente impresses for the cleanliness and intensity of its wild berry and jam bouquet with highlights of tobacco and light spices, which are found again on the palate, enriched by a delicate toasted note. Measured,
silky tannins pro-vide a wonderful roundness and a persistent finish".
This wine is aged for 1 year and has 13.80% ABV. This Merlot is juicy, fruity and soft with notes of dark chocolate and walnuts. Luce Lucente La Vite 2017 is great paired with aged hard cheeses.
ROSÉ
Pink grapes don't exist in nature, so rosé wine is made with red grapes whose skin is left to macerate in the grape juice for a shorter period of time than with red wines. According to Vinepair.com, "Winemakers create a rosé wine by juicing red grapes and then allowing the juice to soak with the skins for a very short period, usually only two to three days. As soon as the juice begins to take on the beautiful pink color the winemaker desires, the skins are removed and the juice is allowed to ferment, creating delicious rosé". The resulting wine is pink in color and lighter in flavor than red wine.
Rosé's taste gets drier as the color gets darker thanks to the higher tannin levels. They typically have 12% alcohol by volume. Wine experts suggest removing your rosé from the fridge 20 minutes prior to enjoying.
Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast, J Vineyards says, "Our J Brut Rosé sparkles with a vibrant, pink salmon hue and inviting aromas of jasmine blossom, Kaffir lime leaf, tangerine and raspberry. The mouthfeel is creamy and delicate, with a fine, energetic mousse that tickles the tongue. The deeply nuanced palate features notes of ripe strawberry, Bing cherry, blood orange and lemon meringue, with hints of slivered almond and watermelon juice. Pair this lively sparkling Rosé with tuna poke or grilled prawns with Meyer lemon gastrique over basmati rice. Also try a cheese pairing of gruyere with strawberry mostarda or gouda with grilled peaches."
The juicy, fruity flavors of this wine make it a perfect option for a summer picnic. It has 12.5% ABV.
CHARDONNAY
Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world! Chardonnay grapes are green-skinned and known as the "wine-maker's grape" as it is easy to work with and easily takes on the character of the terroir and wine-making techniques. It is one of the main grapes used in Champagne. The Chardonnay variety originated in the Burgundy region of France, but is now grown all over the world. Wine Enthusiast states that, "Typically, Chardonnay is a dry, medium- to full-bodied wine with moderate acidity and alcohol. Its flavors range from apple and lemon to papaya and pineapple, and it also shows notes of vanilla when it’s aged with oak."
Chardonnay is best served between 50–55°F.
This 14.4% ABV Chardonnay is aged for 9 Months in Oak barrels. Markham Vineyards says about this wine: "Grown predominately in the Oak Knoll region, our Little Cannon Vineyard provides a stylistic tropical flair to this Chardonnay. Caramel apple fruit provides the base for the vanilla, toffee & toasty oak aromas. Rich, crème brûlée texture is loaded with golden apple, lemon curd and toasted nut flavors. Partial malolactic fermentation provides texture to our wine while still allowing the natural acidity to shine."
The winemaker, Kimberlee Nicholls, suggests serving this wine at 55 – 58°F alongside grilled fish or herb roasted chicken.
CHAMPAGNE
Sparkling wine can only be called Champagne if it is made within a 100 mile radius of the Champagne region of France. The 7 types of grapes used to make Champagne are Arbane, Chardonnay, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir. Each of these varieties add different flavor, acidity and structure to the finished wine.
Champagne gets its carbonation from a second fermentation process. According to WineCountry.com, "Grapes are picked and fermented into still wine, then yeast and sugars are added to the cuvée to start the second fermentation as it is bottled. Over time, trapped CO2 gas carbonates the liquid to form the trademark bubbles while yeast cells start to die. The wine in bottle is then aged for at least 15 months “on the lees” (with the dead yeast cells) to add texture and complexity." Champagne is made to strict standards set by the Appellation d’Origine Controlée (AOC). The average alcohol content by volume of Champagne is 12%.
TRY: Moët Impérial
Moët & Chandon states that Impérial is "created from more than 100 different wines, of which 20% to 30% are reserve wines specially selected to enhance its maturity, complexity and constancy, the assemblage reflects the diversity and complementarity of the three grapes varietals": Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
This fruity and bright champagne has "The vibrant intensity of green apple and citrus fruit, the freshness of mineral nuances and white flowers [and] the elegance of blond notes (brioche, cereal, fresh nuts)."
No matter what you're drinking today, celebrate responsibly!
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