Wine Professional's Notes - It is easy to become one with a bit of study.
Selection of my Italian wine collection. It's not just Red or White. |
The appreciation of wine is an acquired taste. It takes no special skill to drink a wine and know that you like it, even if you are not always able to tell why. Liking or not liking a particular wine or a particular varietal, is subjective, as not everyone has the same palate.
To understand wine, one should read and study about it, think about it and above all - drink it.
A selection of some excellent Maltese wines. |
In judging or evaluating wines, there are three main, distinct, but also inter-related evaluation keys that allow us to distinguish one wine from another. These are: Colour; Smell (often referred to as bouquet or aroma) and the most important Taste.
So how would one distinguish between one wine and another?
More from the Maltese wines cellar. |
Chardonnay Champagne Grape. |
Then we have other famous grape varieties such as Riesling; Chenin Blanc; Gewurztraminer; Muscat; Semilon; Viogner; Marsanne and Rousanne both of which are blended to produce the unique Hermitage. Muscadet; Pinot Blanc; Pinot Gris; Pinot Grigio; Cortese for Gavi di Gavi; Malvasia and Trebiano for Frascati; and Trebiano alone for the Orvieto; Garganega and again Trebiano for the Soave; Vedicchio; Vermentino; Fiano di Avellino; Greco di Tufo; Vernacchia; Falanghina; and maybe the lesser known Grillo and Catarretto from Sicily. Airen and Macabeo varietals from Spain.
Ripe Chenin Blanc grape cluster. |
Smell and Taste of white wine:
Let's take Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines as the classic examples.
White wine of Malta. To be served well chilled. |
Sauvignon Blanc Served at 10 to 12 Deg. C An excellent pairing with fish dishes. |
Most other white wine varietals fall somewhere in between these two main varietals in both taste and smell, but then again, the "taster's" own imagination, expertise, and taste buds come into play and which can make the final results very subjective and individualistic.
Bonterra 2005 Chardonnay California. |
Montana 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough, New Zealand. |
The Red Wine Varieties:
Maltese Red wine. |
The international red grape varieties can be categorsied mainly as those originating from France, namely: Cabernet Sauvgnon; Merlot; Syrah/Shiraz; Pinot Noir; Cabernet Franc; Petit Verdot which are grown also in nearly all of the "New World" wine producing countries.
Italian Premium wine. |
Tempranillo grape clusters. |
These grape varieties are produced into wines which may bear the name of the actual grape variety, togther with the winemaker's name and vintage date, or they can be produced under such prestigious product names that are protected by law in the country of origin; for example:
Wine Name..................Grape Variety.
Barolo......................................... Nebbiolo........Italy.
Barbaresco.................................. Nebbiolo.
Chianti.........................................Sangiovese.
Brunello Di Montalcino..............Brunello strain of Sangiovese.
Vino Nobile de Montepulciano...Prugnolio stain of Sangiovese.
Amarone/Valpolicella.................Rondinella, Molinara and Corvina.
Taurasi.........................................Aglianico.
Cote Rotie................................... Syrah............France.
Hermitage....................................Syrah.
Beaujolais....................................Gamay.
Burgundy.....................................Pinot Noir.
Graves..........................................Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc blend.
Medoc..........................................Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot blend.
Pomerol........................................Merlot.
St. Emilion...................................Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend.
Rioja Riserva................................Tempranillo..........Spain.
A rich Carmenere from Chile. Serve at 17/18Deg.C |
A full-bodied, rich, red wine. See the stains on the glass. |
Premium wines. |
Aromas vary for the top red wines from a combination of black fruits black currants, cassis, strawberries, rasberries, liquorice, with flavours of rich fruits, chocolate, black cherries, marascino cherries, black currants, tropical fruits, etc. Red fruits, rhubarb, cinamon, nutmeg, plum and blackberries. Together or in combinations of.
In a wine cellar for aged wine. |
So what about a chilled glass of Rose' wine?
Francis Ford Coppola Winery California- Sofia Rose 2011, Syrah/Grenache blend. |
A top class rose' wine offers an alluring nose with rich, red berries, citrus and even a bit of herbal tang. Dynamic fruit - wild strawberries, sweet cherry and ripe raspberry engage the palate with well balanced acidity could make this very versatile summertime wine a delight. But alas, having said this, there are many cheap rose's on the market so consumers have to be wary of quality rather than just price.
Rose' wine sample. Must be serve chilled. |
Chenin Blanc - excellent with Summer light food. Serve at 11 deg.C. Chilled. |
A little nearer to home. A selection from VitiMalta. |
The VitiMalta selection on the left shows a marvelous 100% Gozo Syrah rose; a crispy unoaked Chardonnay also produced from 100% Gozo grown grapes; a unique blended red wine; and a 100% Merlot also from Gozo grown grapes. These are wines of a very high standard which offer excellent value for money and a great accopaniment to any type of food.
So now we all know that there are wines beyond just Red or White or a Rose'.
A very refreshing Syrah-Merlot blend Maltese rose' for Summer. |
One of the main purposes of this website is information and education about wine related topics, so I have obtained a copy of this very informative food and wine pairing chart which in some ways make our lives much easier to pick that special wine with our cuisine and food choices.
Food and wine pairing chart. |
Reno Spiteri,
Certified Wine Professional.