Barbera - Dry, red from the Piedmont region in Italy.  Argentina and California produce similar grapes.  Flavorful and rich wine popular with pasta dishes, but could hold it's own with a steak.  Some Barbera's can bottle age for 10 to 15 years well.

Cabernet Franc -  One of the standard reds found in Bordeaux.  But it also is a fantastic, powerful red by itself.  It can be found throughout the wine world.  The staple regions are Bordeaux and California.  Tends to be higher in acidity, but will feel smoother in the mouth then a young Cab.  Cab Francs can be held for many years or enjoyed when purchased.  This is one of my picks for a big Cab with Merlot characteristics.

Bordeaux blend - refers to blended red wines from Bordeaux. These wines are made with two or more of the traditional red Bordeaux grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, and Petite Verdot. Either Cab Sauvignon or Merlot are used as the primary and the others are the blended.  Bordeaux is the largest wine growing region in the world.  Wines from this region will show layers.  As you get to know these wines, you will taste all the facets of the wine.  The region, the vineyard, the process.  It all shows up in the taste.

Sauvignon Blanc - Dry white wine showing crisp taste and higher acidity.  Aromas can be green fruit, grass and herbs.  It can be a perfect combination of rich and light.  A normal summertime wine, but perfect for any occasion.  It pairs well will most lighter foods and salads.  Sauvignon comes from the French word savage, meaning wild.  At times, the Sauvignon Blanc grape is blended with milder Semillion grape.  Cakebread is an amazing example of this grape.

Piedmont - Situated in northwest Italy, this area is home to some of the best italian red wines.  Noble wines float into wine discussions concerning this area.  Barolo and Barbaresco are both produced in the central part of Piedmont.  Created entirely from Nebbiolo grapes, these wines are robust - high in tannins and acidity.  These wines also show great aging potential.  Some wines taking 10+ years.  Some wines are made to drink sooner.  These are more in a Bordeaux style utilizing French oak.  Barolo and Barbaresco wines tend to sell for $30 to $50 a bottle, but are well worth it - especially with a fine Italian dinner.

Zinfandel - is a red varietal grown commercially only in California.  Related to an Italian grape, it has the destination from the unfair comparisons piled on most California grapes.

Zin is not a finicky grape it is sensitive to climate and location.  Too hot and it raisins or too cool and it over produces.  Wines range from table wines to intensely rich and very agreeable wines.  Styles range from light and young to heavy and syrupy.  Current trends favor heavier wines suited to cellaring.

Chianti changes - seems the Italians changed their rules on Chianti.  In '96, they altered what grapes were required for Chianti.  The old rules placed Sangiovese as the base and then blended with other varieties, including white grapes.  After '96, Chianti must be 80% Sangiovese and white grapes are not required.  Between this change and improved vineyard practices, the Chianti wines are showing more complex depth.  '99, 2000 and '01 are years to get and enjoy.

Cab Sauvignon - Dry Red. Dark berries and currant.  Smooth with coarse finish. High acidity and high tannins. Found in France, Calf and Australia. Powerful wine becoming elegant over time. The major grape.

Beaujolais Nouveau - This is a wine for celebrations.  The premise of the wine stems from the end of the Harvest.  French law dictates the release of the wine must be the third Thursday in November.  This is a young wine and should be enjoyed as such - slightly chilled never hurts.

Petite Syrah - From the Syrah grape, this is a small intense berry version.  Prime regions are Rhone Valley, Australia and California. The color suggests Zinfandel, the nose suggests Merlot and the taste could be a young Cab Sav.  A great drinking wine and pairs well with a medium weight dinner.  Not found everywhere, but a good choice when presented.

Pinot Noir - A dry red with characteristics of plum, cherry and earth. Most people order Pinot because of a movie and from California.  But the grape originated in France and is the primary grape found in Burgundy and Champagne. The difference is notable in the taste. French Pinot is less manipulated, more from the grape and it shows.

Tempranillo - A Spanish dry red grape.  This is the primary red grape in Spain, but is showing positive signs in Organ.  Aromas are cherry and vanilla.  Smooth notes, but powerful.  From the right vineyard, this grape can have aging ability.

Merlot: Dry red with aromas of plum and cherry.  It is a descended from Cab Franc grapes.  It is one of the prime Bordeaux grapes as well as popular in Italy, Calf, Washington and Chile.  Tends to be smooth with great body.

Amarone: Some think of this wine as Italy’s Gentle Giant.  The flavor is bold and rich with distinctive fruit and a bit of sweetness.  They age well and go through many transformations.  The traditional blend comprises Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara.  The big difference is the fermentation.  These grapes are left to dry for upwards of 3 months.  45 days of cool fermentation follows before any barrel aging occurs. 

The top 4 countries in hectares used to grow grapes - 

Spain 1,200,000; France 900,000; Italy 884,000; U.S. 411,000

(2003 figures - interesting!)

Top Bordeaux Vintages for over 200 years

2005, 2000, 1982, 1961, 1953, 1947, 1945, 1929,

1900, 1899, 1874, 1870, 1864, 1847, 1811, 1798

Prior to the US Civil War, Ohio was considered America’s most important wine producing state.

A ’97 study found that abstainers (non-drinkers) earned 7.4 percent less than moderate drinkers.  “... it’s a social thing instead of all business”.

Singers with wine on the mind

Lilac Wine (Jeff Buckley, 1994); Lips of Wine (Andy Williams, 1957)

Hey Brother, Pour the Wine (Dean Martin, 1964)

Little Ole Wine Drinker Me (Dean Martin, 1967)

Me and My Wine (Def Leppard, 1980)

Spill the Wine (War, 1970); Wine, Women an’ Song (Whitesnake, 1981)

Wine Colored Roses (George Jones, 1986); Summer Wine (Nancy Sinatra, 1968).

Syrah - the multi purpose grape.

Syrah or Shiraz in Australia and South Africa can be described as a rustic, yet refined wine.  Originating in the Rhone Valley of France, Syrah has made it around the world.  It can be found alone in a bottle or as one of many grapes in a blend.  Nose is black pepper and blackberry.  Taste is smooth and round with medium acidity.  In the right hands, a Syrah is very enjoyable.

Malvasia Nero - Italian blending grape.

Every wine region grow grapes for the sole purpose of blending.  These grapes help bring out characteristics of the primary grape.  Malvasia Nera when blended with Sangiovese tends to balance the power found in Sangiovese.  Helping to show the fruit more.

Counoise - Southern Rhone valley.  Blending grape with Chateaunuf-du-pape.  Very interesting by itself.  Cherry flavor, light and silky finish.  Reminds me of a Pinot Noir.  Enjoyable but lacking a bit of character.  Can be found is a few 100% bottlings .

Gamay - Grape predominately found in Beaujolais wines.  Red with high acidity and very low tannins.  Used to produce young drinking wines it also has the characteristic of accepting cooler temperatures.  Great for lunch or summer pic nics.