This time we’re heading back to France for a red varietal called Petit Verdot. Though it can certainly hold its own as a single-varietal wine, it’s probably best known as one of the six Bordeaux grapes, hanging around with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Carménère (though this last one is more rare). Petit … Continue reading Wine 34: Petit Verdot
Technically, I specifically wanted to try monastrell, which I thought I'd never had before. But I quickly found out that it is more commonly known as mourvèdre. For some, that may not mean anything more to you, but for others you probably know Mourvèdre as being one of the three grapes used in the beloved GSM blend: … Continue reading Wine 24: Monastrell
Tempranillo! One of Spain's native grapes, tempranillo is also more widely grown in Argentina, California, and Portugal (where it's used to make Port). I love drinking wines from outside the States. It gives me a sense of what that country is like, and what flavors thrive there. I don't recall what wine-related thing I was … Continue reading Wine 15: Tempranillo
This grape has two personalities, or rather, two names. Originally called garnacha in Spain where it first came from, it's now more widely known by grenache. Grenache is grown all across the world, and is known for ripening later than other varietals, so it does better in warm/hot and dry climates. Grenache is also commonly … Continue reading Wine 11: Garnacha
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