WHAT IS BURGUNDY FAMOUS FOR?

The 7 Most Popular White Grape Varieties | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

The 7 Most Popular White Grape Varieties | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

The 7 Most Popular White Grape Varieties

• Fine Wine Blog • White Grape Varieties • Wine Grapes

There are hundreds of different kinds of white grape varieties, but the 7 that we’re going to talk about in detail throughout this article are without a doubt the most popular.
While red wines have been talked about more lately, the ideal conditions of growing white wine grape varieties have left the latter due to making a strong comeback!
Without further ado, here are the 7 most popular white grape varieties in the world today.

White Grape Varieties – The 7 Most Popular

1. Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a very versatile white grape variety, and an extremely popular one. Throughout the 1990s, it was far and away the most popular white wine grape variety throughout the world.
Burgundy is well known to this day for its chardonnay – which is the main grape they use to make their iconic white wine.
Although it accounts for less than 5% of the world’s vines, chardonnay can be grown in a variety of climates. It is grown in more than 10 different countries, including Australia and Italy, though the most vine acres of this white grape variety are located in California.
It is commonly aged in new oak, and can be crisp, buttery, toasty, or fresh depending on the winemaker. The resulting wine adds more versatility to this white grape variety, as it can be either sparkling or still.
This Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, 2004 (which you can acquire from our online wine shop) is a particularly good example of a sparkling Chardonnay wine of fine quality. It is already well aged, and can be consumed at any point until 2034.

2. Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc originated in France, and continues to grow in the Bordeaux region today.
Australia and New Zealand both grow it as well, but it is New Zealand that truly makes this white grape variety shine. In this country it has, over the years, become the most grape variety used in making white wine.
Sauvignon Blanc is often blended with Semillon (another popular white grape variety we describe below) – especially in France.
This Chateau d’Yquem, 2006, for example, is a fine wine of high reputation that’s made of a Sauvignon Blanc blend and that will reach maturity in 2016 and will be great for drinking all the way until 2060.

3. Semillon

Semillon, as mentioned before, is quite popular when blended with Sauvignon Blanc. It is less popular as a solo varietal, though wineries in Washington (US) and Australia do grow it as such.
Today it is grown in Bordeaux, in addition to South America, Australia, and the US. This Chateau d’Yquem, 2002 is a great example of a Semillon white that has already matured and can be enjoyed at any time until 2033.

4. Moscato

Moscato is a white grape variety that is mainly grown in Italy, the Rhone Valley, and Austria.
Moscato wine is notable for its sweet and fruity flavour, and is one of the most popular white wine grape varieties with American consumers. The grape can create either still or sparkling wines.

5. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular white grape varieties of Italy, especially in the Venezia and Alto Adige regions. It is also grown in the western US – in addition to France, Germany, Austria, and Australia.
It usually results in a light and zippy wine that pairs extremely well with food.

6. Gewurztraminer

Gewurztraminer is the most popular white grape variety in Alsace, Germany, but is grown with a degree of success in the US as well. The resulting wine is ideal for sipping, and is generally a dry and aromatic wine.

7. Riesling

Riesling is a popular wine grape variety of the Rhine and Mosel wine regions in Germany, but grows well in many regions, including the US. It results in a light, fresh tasting wine that improves remarkably well with age.

Acquiring Your Favourite Whites

You can acquire fine white wines from our online wine shop (click here) – where we make available a collection of some of the world’s best according to wine collector ratings.
If you have any other wine-related questions or queries, please feel free to write us a quick message or give us a call at any time. Our fine wine experts always respond promptly, and will be happy to help!
Image source: Chris

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Burgundy wine glasses characteristics top 5 recommendations

Burgundian Wine Grapes: Main Regions

Burgundian Wine Grapes: Main Regions

• Burgundy • Burgundy Wine Region • Fine Wine Blog • Wine Grapes

Burgundian Wine Grapes: Main Regions & Famous Varietals

ns, Chablis lies halfway in-between the Cote d’Or region and Paris. The region is known solely for its dry, white wine.
Chablis has some of the world’s best Chardonnays, which are not oaked, and recognizable for their steely, dry palate and light flavors of lemon.

2. The Côte de Nuits

The recognized home to some of the best red Burgundian wine grapes, the region also produces overshadowed white wine. By and far, the majority of Grands and Premiers Crus wines originate in this region.
It is known, along with Cote de Beaune, as the “Golden Slopes” of Burgundy, for its revered villages including Gevery-Chambertin and the ability to produce some of the most valuable wine in the world.
Excellent examples of this wine are this Comte de Vogue Bonnes Mares, 2002 and this Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache, 2002.

3. The Côte de Beaune

Along with the Cote de Nuits, the Cote de Beaune makes up the other half of the “Golden Slopes” of Burgundy, though this part is known for the greatest white Burgundies (as the reds are overshadowed).
Other than Chablis, this region creates the best white Burgundies.
Cote de Beaune also has one red Grand Cru, from Corton, and has other less revered (but much cheaper) Pinot Noirs.

4. The Côte Chalonnaise

Compared to the other regions, the Cote Challonnaise is considered a lesser district, though it still produces excellent red and white wines, known for mid-range bottles that keep for about 5 years.

5. The Mâconnais

The southernmost region of Burgundy, the Maconnais produces cheaper wines of excellent value, made to be consumed young and not aged. It is best known for fresh Chardonnay whites, and Pouilly-Fuisse and St-Veran are two of the best vineyards.

Most Popular Burgundian Wine Grapes

All of the great Burgundies, whether red or white, are made from a single grape variety and are therefore un-blended. This sets the region vastly apart from Bordeaux, where most of the great wines are blends.
Famous Burgundian wine grapes include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Aligote, and to a lesser degree – Sauvignon, Cesar, Pinot Beurot, Sacy, and Melon. We explore them below.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the most common grape of Burgundy, with over 48% of the region’s land being under this type of wine. Chablis, Macon, and Cote d’Or white wines are produced from 100% Chardonnay.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir accounts for 34% of the land under vine in Burgundy. The majority of the Cote d’Or region is focused on this grape, and in the Cote de Nuits region, this grape and other red grapes make up more than 90% of the production.

Other Grapes

Other Burgundian wine grapes worth mentioning are Gamay (a red grape) that makes up 10% of total production in the famous wine region, and Aligote (a white grape) that makes up 6%.
The others (including Sauvignon, Cesar, Pinot Beurot, Sacy, and Melon) make up less than 2% of the production overall.
These grapes are considered “second status,” and are never used in the best wines – however they do contribute toward budget bottles and are increasingly common further south.

Acquiring Fine Burgundy Wine

Whatever your favourite Burgundian grape variety is, we’d like to invite you to bring home a Burgundy fine wine today.
Check out our online wine shop – where a comprehensive collection of France’s best Burgundies (and more) are only a few clicks away from arriving at your doorstep!
For any wine-related questions or queries, please feel free to write us a short message or give us a call at any time. Our wine experts will respond promptly, and will be happy to help!
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What Is Bordeaux Famous For?

What Is Burgundy Famous For? | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

What Is Burgundy Famous For? | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

The 7 Most Popular Red Wine Grape Varieties

Red Wine Grape Varieties: 7 Most Popular | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Red Wine Grape Varieties: 7 Most Popular | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Autumn Wines: 7 Best Wine Recommendations This Fall | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Autumn Wines: 7 Best Wine Recommendations This Fall | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

http://www.moncharm.co.uk/blog/autumn-wines/

Autumn wines are a smart purchase because most vineyards switch over to a new harvest in the fall, wholesalers and retailers greatly discount existing stock. Your pound will go a lot further with your wine purchase at this time of year.

Even if you don’t generally tend to buy wine, an autumn wine can make an excellent inexpensive gift, or you can stock up for later dinners or events. Better yet, put your autumn wine purchases to use this season!

Unsure which wines to pick? Check out the top 7 best opportunities to drink autumn wines blow!

1. ENJOY THE LAST BRIGHT AFTERNOONS

Fall cues the last nice afternoons with enjoyable temperatures. This is the season to enjoy your final garden sundowners before winter sweeps in!

Take advantage with an excellent autumn wine – such as this Crémant de Limoux NV – which provides freshness and bubbles, but this time with more structure and elegance following the season changing!

2. HOST A FORMAL FALL GATHERING OF FRIENDS

Autumn is the perfect time to gather together friends for a dinner party with wine. Moreover, timing your party in the fall will beat the stress and competition of the overloaded Christmas season.

The perfect autumn wine for such an event would be a glass of this Crémant de Limoux Rosé NV. The lovely pink touch provides a bright element and softens the atmosphere with its delicate tender foam character.

This autumn wine will bring a touch of glamour and sophistication to any event.

3. PAIR YOUR SEASONAL DISHES WITH FLAIR

Fall is associated with foods like mushrooms, chestnuts, truffles, parsnips, pumpkins, and figs. Your autumn wine will ideally adapt to these rich and seasonal flavours.

Our velvety and concentrated 14" target="_blank">Felin Noir from Languedoc
is an excellent autumn wine choice for expert pairings. The same goes for this Marchesi di Barolo Riserva, 2004 – an especially excellent match for a white truffle dish during a special dinner.

4. PLAN A CASUAL SPORTS-CENTRED PARTY

Sometimes, the focus is on your favourite team, and your autumn wine should simply provide backup. When hosting a casual event, like a major football match, you need a wine to be enjoyable on its own and easy to pair with snacks.

Two of the best suggestions for fun, fresh autumn wines are this Saumur Blanc “Elegance” (with lemony, crispy notes and refreshing character), and this Ntisu Rosso, 2012 because of its lightness, featuring floral and young fruit flavours.

5. PULL OFF A SUNDAY MEAL SHOW-OFF WITH YOUR EXTENDED FAMILY

Do you have tough-to-impress in-laws, or maybe you’ve set the bar extremely high in past years. Regardless of the reason, planning a successfully impressive Sunday meal is simple with the right autumn wine.

The Les Demoiselles de Larrivet Haut Brion, 2011 from the famous Bordeaux region will blow them away with class and quality at a reasonable price. You cannot go wrong with this traditional choice – the palate is round and well balanced by silky tannins, with no harshness or bitterness.

6. INDULGE YOURSELF

You’ve worked hard and played hard all summer long. This fall, you deserve a break. Treat yourself one evening with easy comfort food and an excellent autumn wine.

Pull out any leftover cheeses, chutneys, honey, crackers, and bread and arrange them on a board.

Have a planned-ahead purchase of this Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale, the perfect match of sweetness and palate-cooling fresh bubbles for your lazy and well-deserved night in.

7. BRING YOUR HOLIDAYS HOME WITH YOU

After spending summer days lying on the beach, sipping rose, watching the waves, it can be tough to come back to your fall routine.

It’d be pretty hard to transport the sand and blue sea with you back home, but you can definitely bring your favourite rose into the fall.

An excellent choice for a summery autumn wine – this Colette Rosé of Côtes de Provence has a pleasant approach with strawberry notes, as well as a pink melony option that is always easy to match.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AUTUMN WINES

Take advantage of the best autumn wine offers today, inside our online Retail Wine store where we provide a large selection of the best value wines available – all just a call away from arriving at your doorstep

Autumn wines are a smart purchase because most vineyards switch over to a new harvest in the fall, wholesalers and retailers greatly discount existing stock. Your pound will go a lot further with your wine purchase at this time of year.

Even if you don’t generally tend to buy wine, an autumn wine can make an excellent inexpensive gift, or you can stock up for later dinners or events. Better yet, put your autumn wine purchases to use this season!

Unsure which wines to pick? Check out the top 7 best opportunities to drink autumn wines blow!

1. ENJOY THE LAST BRIGHT AFTERNOONS

Fall cues the last nice afternoons with enjoyable temperatures. This is the season to enjoy your final garden sundowners before winter sweeps in!

Take advantage with an excellent autumn wine – such as this Crémant de Limoux NV – which provides freshness and bubbles, but this time with more structure and elegance following the season changing!

2. HOST A FORMAL FALL GATHERING OF FRIENDS

Autumn is the perfect time to gather together friends for a dinner party with wine. Moreover, timing your party in the fall will beat the stress and competition of the overloaded Christmas season.

The perfect autumn wine for such an event would be a glass of this Crémant de Limoux Rosé NV. The lovely pink touch provides a bright element and softens the atmosphere with its delicate tender foam character.

This autumn wine will bring a touch of glamour and sophistication to any event.

3. PAIR YOUR SEASONAL DISHES WITH FLAIR

Fall is associated with foods like mushrooms, chestnuts, truffles, parsnips, pumpkins, and figs. Your autumn wine will ideally adapt to these rich and seasonal flavours.

Our velvety and concentrated Felin Noir from Languedoc is an excellent autumn wine choice for expert pairings. The same goes for this Marchesi di Barolo Riserva, 2004 – an especially excellent match for a white truffle dish during a special dinner.

4. PLAN A CASUAL SPORTS-CENTRED PARTY

Sometimes, the focus is on your favourite team, and your autumn wine should simply provide backup. When hosting a casual event, like a major football match, you need a wine to be enjoyable on its own and easy to pair with snacks.

Two of the best suggestions for fun, fresh autumn wines are this Saumur Blanc “Elegance” (with lemony, crispy notes and refreshing character), and this Ntisu Rosso, 2012 because of its lightness, featuring floral and young fruit flavours.

5. PULL OFF A SUNDAY MEAL SHOW-OFF WITH YOUR EXTENDED FAMILY

Do you have tough-to-impress in-laws, or maybe you’ve set the bar extremely high in past years. Regardless of the reason, planning a successfully impressive Sunday meal is simple with the right autumn wine.

The Les Demoiselles de Larrivet Haut Brion, 2011 from the famous Bordeaux region will blow them away with class and quality at a reasonable price. You cannot go wrong with this traditional choice – the palate is round and well balanced by silky tannins, with no harshness or bitterness.

6. INDULGE YOURSELF

You’ve worked hard and played hard all summer long. This fall, you deserve a break. Treat yourself one evening with easy comfort food and an excellent autumn wine.

Pull out any leftover cheeses, chutneys, honey, crackers, and bread and arrange them on a board.

Have a planned-ahead purchase of this Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale, the perfect match of sweetness and palate-cooling fresh bubbles for your lazy and well-deserved night in.

7. BRING YOUR HOLIDAYS HOME WITH YOU

After spending summer days lying on the beach, sipping rose, watching the waves, it can be tough to come back to your fall routine.

It’d be pretty hard to transport the sand and blue sea with you back home, but you can definitely bring your favourite rose into the fall.

An excellent choice for a summery autumn wine – this Colette Rosé of Côtes de Provence has a pleasant approach with strawberry notes, as well as a pink melony option that is always easy to match.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AUTUMN WINES

Take advantage of the best autumn wine offers today, inside our online Retail Wine store where we provide a large selection of the best value wines available – all just a call away from arriving at your doorstep

what makes wine expensive 3 wine price factors