Last week, City Vino was dreaming of a red (wine) Christmas, and we continue that thought for our weekly tasting on Friday, December 10, and Saturday, December 11, with red wines from around the globe. Join us on a quick tasting jaunt to Italy, France, Spain, and Virginia.
Picture clear skies; rolling hills with lots of vineyards; small towns with medieval structures; tall cypress trees around homes, towns, and lining driveways. You are in Tuscany. Tuscany is the most important wine growing region in central Italy. About 15 percent of all the land in the region is under vine.
Along the east of Lake Garda, the province of Veneto, in north-eastern Italy, lies around the picturesque town of Bardolino. The wine region takes its name from this town, but it also encompasses a broader area. Wines labelled as Bardolino Classico are those made specifically near the town of Bardolino, itself, from original vineyards.
The country of India conjures up thoughts of exotic spices; colorful fabrics, woven with golden thread; intricate hand-drawn henna hand art; elaborate gold jewelry; and beautiful temples; but did you know that it is a growing wine region? Grape growing in India dates back a couple of millennia, but modern-day winemaking in India saw its start around the 1980s, with the rise of the middle class and its demand for wine.
Originally, there were six noble grapes identified: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot for the reds; and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling for the whites. “Noble grapes” is a term that was coined to describe international grape varieties that were the most recognized for the top-quality wine they produce.
