The Rhône Valley region of France runs in a narrow band from Burgundy to its north to Provence to its south, and is one of the oldest wine-growing areas in France. It comprises two distinct areas—the Northern Rhône Valley and the Southern Rhône Valley, both of which are along the Rhône River. Different styles of wines are produced in each area, but both are known predominantly for red wines.
On Tuesday February 25, 2020, the Virginia Wineries Association announced the 12 wines that comprised the Virginia Governor’s Cup Case from their annual competition, which represent the highest scoring wines. The top wine in the case is the Virginia Governor’s Cup winner. For 2020, the Virginia Governor’s Cup was presented by Governor Ralph Northam to winemaker Carl DiManno from 868 Estate Vineyards in Purcellville, Virginia, for their 2017 Vidal Blanc Passito. This is the first time a winery located in Loudoun County, and the first wine made from hybrid (non-vinifera) grapes, has earned the trophy.
When the word ‘petite’ or ‘petit’ is part of a grape variety name, it indicates the size of the berries. Size matters as the smaller the grape, the less juice it will yield. In addition, the grape will have more surface area of skin relative to the amount of juice. Red wine made from smaller berried grapes can be more pigmented and more tannic as there is less juice to dilute these characteristics.
Italy is famous for its treasure trove of indigenous grapes, and this week, City Vino features a couple of these treasures with you. Both Negroamaro and Gaglioppo hail from Italy’s southern regions of Puglia and Calabria.
The first vines brought to Chile came via Spanish Conquistadors as early as the 1500s. Immigrants from Europe would bring more varieties to Chile, especially from Bordeaux in the 1800s. As of 2020, 70 percent of Chilean wine production is exported.
