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Get to Know the Global Superstars of Wine
Wall Street Journal ^ | March 27, 2014 | Will Lyons

Posted on 03/29/2014 7:20:12 PM PDT by nickcarraway

What every wine drinker should know about Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Riesling

"I KNOW NOTHING about wine—where do I start?" is perhaps the most frequent question I am asked. An obvious starting point is with grape varieties, which each have their own distinctive character and flavor.

There are more than 5,000 varieties of wine grapes planted in the world. Luckily, for those new to the subject, only 100 or so have enough appeal to be deemed commercially viable. Luckier still, it's a relatively small number that have found international recognition.

Jean-Manuel Duvivier These used to be referred to as the Noble Grape Varieties, a term coined by the British wine trade to describe the classic grapes of Europe (though it's no longer used in professional wine exams). Nicholas King, research and development manager at the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, says it drifted out of use in about 2003. After using "common" or "international," the educational body has now settled on the term "principal" grape varieties.

Whatever the term, it refers to the eight classic varieties—Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Grenache and Riesling—whose flavor and character have led to them being exported around the world. Their success has, in many ways, been detrimental to their reputation: the level of planting being such that quality has inevitably been diluted.

Wherever you are on the wine journey, whether a connoisseur or a novice, an understanding and appreciation of these varieties will benefit you enormously.

I rather like the old term for them as, in their finest form, these grapes are capable of producing wines that are among the very best in the world. Here's my guide to what every wine drinker should know.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Food
KEYWORDS: business; international; oenology; wine
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1 posted on 03/29/2014 7:20:12 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

The king of wines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciR7Fq2tqJ0


2 posted on 03/29/2014 7:32:11 PM PDT by AlexW
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To: nickcarraway

Chilean Carménère. Amazing.
Argentine Malbec. Amazing.


3 posted on 03/29/2014 7:35:33 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: nickcarraway

1. Can of Welch’s concentrate and water.
2. 1 cup sugar
3. 1 pkg. yeast - your choice. As a youth, I preferred bread yeast.
4. A gallon jug.
5. A balloon to fit over the jug’s neck.
6. Wait for the balloon to inflate, and then deflate.
7. Enjoy!


4 posted on 03/29/2014 7:36:58 PM PDT by WorkingClassFilth
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To: AlexW

the..wine....that winks back....at you.

I evidently missed that one the first time around.


5 posted on 03/29/2014 7:37:00 PM PDT by MeshugeMikey ( "Never, never, never give up". Winston Churchill)
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To: nickcarraway

I get mine in a box...er, a bag in a box. Description also fits my mother in law. But she ain’t 12% Alc.


6 posted on 03/29/2014 7:38:11 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

Malbec = yum!


7 posted on 03/29/2014 7:39:39 PM PDT by workerbee (The President of the United States is DOMESTIC ENEMY #1!)
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To: WorkingClassFilth
now heres a classic



Night Train and THUNDERBIRD!!
8 posted on 03/29/2014 7:39:57 PM PDT by MeshugeMikey ( "Never, never, never give up". Winston Churchill)
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To: MeshugeMikey

What’s the word?


9 posted on 03/29/2014 7:40:27 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Billthedrill

Thunderbird.


10 posted on 03/29/2014 7:40:44 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Billthedrill

THUNDERBIRD!!! yowza.. yowza.


11 posted on 03/29/2014 7:41:17 PM PDT by MeshugeMikey ( "Never, never, never give up". Winston Churchill)
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To: nickcarraway

I’m a Pinot Grigio mommy, especially after this past week!


12 posted on 03/29/2014 7:41:40 PM PDT by goodwithagun (My gun has killed fewer people than Ted Kennedy's car.)
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To: dfwgator

What’s the price?


13 posted on 03/29/2014 7:42:17 PM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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To: nickcarraway

I’m not as thunk as you drink I am!


14 posted on 03/29/2014 7:43:00 PM PDT by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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To: Rides_A_Red_Horse

Thirty Twice.

Though I’m partial to this version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytZrzwfJn1g


15 posted on 03/29/2014 7:44:45 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: MeshugeMikey

Mad Dog 20/20 + grape koolaid = Purple Jesus.


16 posted on 03/29/2014 7:45:17 PM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: onedoug

“I get mine in a box.”
________________________________________________
For heavy volume winos, such as myself, the box wines are a good deal. I buy Spanish and South American wines in one ltr. boxes. They come from South America and Spain. I buy both white and red for about $3 per ltr. The only problem is that they are available only in big cities, 2 hours from me.
I can, however, carry about 20 ltrs at one time.


17 posted on 03/29/2014 7:46:10 PM PDT by AlexW
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To: AlexW
What's the word? Thunderbird!

What's the price? Thirty twice!

18 posted on 03/29/2014 7:46:17 PM PDT by Fiji Hill
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To: central_va

Mad Dog a BIG favorite of the CHOOM GANG Im told


19 posted on 03/29/2014 7:47:16 PM PDT by MeshugeMikey ( "Never, never, never give up". Winston Churchill)
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To: dfwgator

Ever heard this version?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxARUuvc-94


20 posted on 03/29/2014 7:47:44 PM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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