“I recently had a conversation with three wine drinkers who were open to trying something different. I recommended a few wines they had never heard of — and they loved them. But the thing that stuck with me was they said: ‘I’d never buy that because I don’t know what it is.’”
This was the catalyst for this episode as I figure if one person is in this boat there must be others.
Cheat sheet (basics and most commonly found in NZ)
Loire white Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, Pouilly Fume/ Chenin Blanc (Vouvray)
Loire Red Cabernet Franc (Chinon)
Bordeaux White Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
Bordeaux Red Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blends
Rhône reds Syrah (North) Grenache (South/ Côtes du Rhône)
Rioja Tempranillo with Grenache and other local reds
Ribera del Duero Tempranillo with Merlot/ Cabernet
La Mancha/ Castilla Mainly Tempranillo/ Grenache
Jumilia Monastell (the M in GSM part of the Côtes du Rhône which also leans to this blend)
Piedmont Nebbiolo (Barolo/ Barbaresco) Barbera and dolcetto
Valipolicella Classico (local red variety blend tastes similar to Pinot)
Valpolicella Amarone ( same blend as Classico but more concentrated almost port like)
Valpolicella Ripasso (half way between both
Chianti (Sangiovese like Merlot/Cabernet)
Montepulciano if it says di Abruzzo it is Montepulciano plump like Merlot. If it says Nobile di Montepulciano (if it doesn’t say Abruzzo) it is Sangiovese and tends to be a little lighter but more structure
Sicily (Nero d’Avola) Puglia/ Salento (Primitivo/ Negroamaro) Shiraz like
#wine #wineeducation #winegeek #winelover
