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Category — Wines & Spirits

Get the Perfect 2003 Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis

Italy, like France, is renowned for its wines and wine history. However, one of the most significant aspects of wine production in Italy is the advent of the Barolo. Over the past few decades, these wines have revolutionized the world’s wine industry and built their own successful industry niche. These are classified as IGT wines or Indicazione Geographic Tipica wines which translates as the “typical regional wine.” Being labeled as an IGT wine also means that a minimum of 85% of the grapes used in the production of the wine are indigenous to the region it came from.

An Overview of the Super Tuscans

During the 1960′s, the Denominazione di Origine Controllata or D.O.C. Laws were born out of the effort to eliminate sharecropping as well as controlling the wine appellate system currently in effect. These laws were introduced in the hopes of restricting the widespread abuse of the big names in the Italian wine industry and the damage that was causing. It has also witnessed a rise in the quality of D.O.C. wines to the extent that they meet higher standards than some of the IGT wines.

Since the Barolo were introduced, there have been numerous changes to the D.O.C. rules. This has helped to ensure the quality and protect the reputation of these wines. Additionally, with these rule changes, certain Barolo would now qualify as being D.O.C’s. However, the decision to keep the IGT designation was made by many producers of these wines even though they now could qualify as being D.O.C’s. Not only did this decision give all the wine producers more freedom of expression, it has also served to protect the international reputation of these wines.

Purchasing Barolo

Long considered to be the rebels of the wine industry in Italy, Barolo are produced in a non-conformist manner which usually does not follow the more traditional D.O.C. guidelines and rules. Aging methods and blends conducted in an unorthodox fashion is the route these vintners have chosen to take in order to produce these amazing wines. So if you’ve grown tired of the traditional Cabernet or Merlot, we recommend that you try any of the Super Tuscans.

Here are some points to consider when purchasing these wines:

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that some Barolo oftentimes result from the blending of two or even three different wines. However, there are some Super Tuscans that are 100% varietal as well. The most common variety of these combination wines is the Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon blend.

The most common flavor characteristics of Barolo are the berry flavors, a softer tannic structure, and well-balanced levels of acidity. In addition to knowing these characteristics, it is also important to know the specific type of the red wine which you prefer. Remember that most of the Super Tuscans are blends although some varietals exist. If a Cabernet is your preference, then be careful to choose one of these wine blends where the Cabernet Sauvignon is the most dominant grape.

November 14, 2009   No Comments

Introduction to Wine Collecting

Collecting wine can be a very fun and exciting hobby – especially when you try to find the wine.  If you are looking to collect wine, you may end up spending a bit more money than you thought.  Wine collecting is a great hobby, although it can be very expensive.  If you are just starting out, the tips below may come in very handy to help you get started.

The first thing to do, is find a place to store your wine.  You can store your wine at home, although you’ll need to have a location with the proper amount of space and cooling temperature (between 50 and 65 degrees F).  You’ll also need to determine what brands and types of wine you are planning to collect.  There are several options to choose from, including red and white wine.  You’ll also need to find some places with good quality and refinery to buy your wine from.

You can always participate in tastings and trade shows as well.  Here, you can meet other people who are into wine collecting, and get to know local traders.  You should also strive to learn as much as you can about wine.  You can learn a lot about wine on the Internet, or by reading magazines and newsletters dedicated to wine.  By doing so, you can also learn more about storage, buying wine, and even cooling your wine.

To better prepare your wine for storage, you can try tasting different varieties.  This way, you can identify which wines you need to age more.  You’ll learn more about wine this way as well, such as how to distinguish tastes.  You may also want to learn how to identify the flavor quality as well.  As you may already know, there is a difference among rare vintage wines and wines that are instantly processed.

If you are just beginning to collect wine, you should avoid purchasing in bulk until you know for sure what types of wine you wish to collect.  When you visit a wine trader, you should let him know that you are a collector.  This way, he can inform you whether or not the wines you are collecting are available in his inventory. If you hope to collect wines from other areas, he may be able to give you contact information for finding the wines you are interested in.

Keep in mind that wine collecting isn’t all about fun – it’s also a great way to eventually start your own business.  You can attend wine shows and tasting events to learn more about the different brands, and also find wines that will bring in higher profits.  Once you have collected some rare bottles of wine – you can start selling and watch your profits soar.

November 14, 2009   No Comments

Boutique Wines

Apart from the most famous vineyards found in places like Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales, they can be found in Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland as well. Wines produced at these wineries vary from sweet wines to red and fruity white wines, dessert wine, sparkling wines and fortified wines.

Tasmania is a large scale producer of outstanding wines like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Pinot Rose, Riesling etc. Tasmanian wine, especially the fruit wine, is a highly appreciated one. There is a special festival named ‘Tasmanian Fruit Wine Festival’ celebrated in Tasmania to honour the Tasmanian fruit wine.

Boutique wines are also gaining popularity in many regions of Australia. These wines are produced by passionate wine makers in small wine yards. These wine yards are usually run by families or friends working together. One of the advantages of buying wine from such wineries is their originality in creating something new. Best boutique wines are often showcased at wine festivals held by most of the region based wineries for both international tourists as well as natives.

Australia has the charm of variety in its climate of wine regions. Yarra Valley in Victoria is such an example of cool climate wine place. Pinot Gris and Pinot Noirs are the famous wines produced in the mentioned area. Cool climate wine regions with terra rossa soil help in the production of outstanding red wines, like spicy Shirazes or Cabernet.

So, in your next visit to Tasmania, enjoy not only the coastal locations, but also the exquisite variety of classic Tasmanian wines. For more details visit at www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au

November 1, 2009   No Comments


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