-
How to identify Sauternes in a blind wine tasting?
Sauternes has approximately 1,930 hectare (Harding et al., 2023) and is one of the most world-renowned sweet wines, made from several different grape varieties. In the majority of cases Semillon is taking the lead at around 80% of total plantings (Harding et al., 2023) or sole role. Sauvignon Blanc & Gris and Muscadelle are often…
-
How to identify Grüner Veltliner from Austria in a blind wine tasting?
Grüner Veltliner is native to Austria with 14,612 hectares (Harding et al., 2023) and is the most planted white variety taking almost ½ of the country’s white vineyard area. A spontaneous cross of Savagnin (Traminer) and St. Georgener from Eisenstadt. It is not genetically related to Roter Veltliner or Frühroter Veltliner. (Robinson et al., 2012)…
-
How to identify Melon de Bourgogne from Loire Valley in a blind wine tasting?
For me, Melon de Bourgogne (aka Muscadet) from Loire Valley is not always the easiest and most expressive grape variety to identify in a blind wine tasting. In this article, we are going to dive into the characteristics of Muscadet based on classic examples, following a structure commonly used by wine institutions like Court of…
-
How to identify Pinotage from Stellenbosch in a blind wine tasting?
Pinotage is most commonly found in South Africa. It is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault created by A.I Perold in 1924 in the Stellenbosch University. Initially referred to as Hermitage in South Africa it took until 1961 to be called Pinotage. (Harding et al., 2023) In this article, we are going to cover…
-
How to identify a white Bordeaux blend in a blind wine tasting?
White Bordeaux blends consists predominately of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, two grape varieties that are widely planted in Bordeaux. Other minor allowed grape varieties are Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Merlot Blanc. (Harding et al., 2023). In the contrast of wine blind tasting these would not be used to showcase a traditional or…
-
How to identify Shiraz from Australia in a blind wine tasting?
Shiraz is a grape variety commonly planted in Australia, yet its origin lies most likely in France, specifically in the Rhône-Alpes region. It’s a natural cross of Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza Of the total vineyard surface in Australia (146,244 hectares) Shiraz accounted for approximately 40000 ha and is therefor Australia’s most planted red grape variety,…
-
How to identify Pinot Gris from Alsace in a blind wine tasting?
Pinot Gris is one of the four noble grape varieties from Alsace in France. With 16% of the total vineyard area in Alsace it’s the third most planted variety, after Pinot Blanc (26%) and Riesling (20%) and just before Gewurztraminer (14%) – (d’Alsace, 2023) Commonly used names and synonyms are: Grauburgunder / Grauer Burgunder or…
-
How to identify Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile in a blind tasting?
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted red grape varieties worldwide and it is the most planted red variety in Chile with an astonishing 40,204 hectares. (Harding et al., 2023) In this article, we are going to cover the common characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile following a structure commonly used by wine…
-
How to identify Albariño from Rias Baixas in a blind wine tasting?
Albariño is widely planted on the Iberian Peninsula. Its home turf is Ríaxas Baixas DO in Spain and the Vinho Verde DOP in Portugal. The versatility of Albariño as a grape variety has given birth to various styles of wines; yet in the interest of classic styles we focus on the dry still white wines.…
