2008 - Champagne Bottles
Wine labels - Peeling off the mystery
One of the most baffling subjects that confronts the budding wine enthusiast is the deciphering of the myriad of information contained on the bottle label, especially that contained on wine bottles from European countries. Once the basic rules are taken on board it becomes a lot simpler. Whereas most New World countries put details of the grape varieties on the front label, a lot of European regions do not, and as this is the most basic of information for taste purposes why is this the case?
European winemakers tend to put more emphasis on the place of origin. For instance, a Bordeaux red typically wont say 'Cabernet' or 'Merlot' on the front label, but instead have the name of the chateau where it was made, and usually the part of Bordeaux where it was made, for example Haut-Medoc. Similarly a Sancerre is totally Sauvignon Blanc, but an in depth analysis of the label will leave you none the wiser. For the French the important factor is that the wine comes from Sancerre in the Loire valley and for them it is inbred knowledge that white Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc.
Moving south to Spain, red Rioja declares itself as Rioja on the label, not Tempranillo the grape variety used, whilst in Italy most Tuscan reds have no information on the Sangiovese grape that is most widely used in these wines. Given this mish-mash of information it is no wonder that many of us head for that bottle with the label announcing it is a Chardonnay Viognier from the Ironstone Vineyard of California.
It is clear then that the Europeans believe the most important factor influencing a wine's character is the soil, climate and culture of the area where the grape is grown and this is particularly important to single-vineyard wines who make the most of capturing the essence of a particular area of land. So whereas a French winemaker will see his wine as reflecting the character of a particular region, a New World winemaker mad about grape varieties will consider that soil is just the growing medium in which the fruit grows, and that the grape variety and hard work in the winery are what really counts. Today these two opposing approaches to wine labelling are moving closer together with New World producers emphasising their regionality and its characteristics, whilst European, even the parochial French winemakers possibly prompted by the wholesalers and the supermarkets are labelling their wines more clearly.
About the Author
James Pendleton is a lover of the better things in life. For more information on wine visit Wine Capital
Champagne Bottles and More
Wine labels - Peeling off the mystery
One of the most baffling subjects that confronts the budding wine enthusiast is the deciphering of the myriad of information contained on the bottle l...
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Champagne Bottles Items For Viewing
The FTD Expressions Arrangement - Deluxe
Send a sweetly comforting bouquet of garden and exotic flowers. Bouquet includes protea, lilies, carnations and more. S39-3131D
Price: 85.99 USD
Champagne Bottles in the news
Celebrate Father's Day with a bottle or two - Toronto Star
Celebrate Father's Day with a bottle or two Toronto Star, Canada - Jun 7, 2008 Only two rated in the stratosphere: Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut Cuvée Rosé (#0158550, $99.95, 91) is a glorious pink sparkler, one of the most ... |
Lawyer says Lohan back on sobriety track
Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:59:38 PST
Lindsay Lohan rang in the New Year drinking champagne in Italy, her lawyer says, but is "back on track" in terms of sobriety. A video obtained by The Associated Press shows Lohan, who spent much of 2007 in and out of rehab, taking a swig from a champagne bottle while in Capri, Italy.
Lawyer: Lohan Is Back on Sobriety Track
Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:53:42 PST
Lindsay Lohan rang in the New Year drinking champagne in Italy, her lawyer says, but is "back on track" in terms of sobriety.A video obtained by The Associated Press shows Lohan, who spent much of 2007 in and out of rehab, taking a swig from a champagne bottle while in Capri, Italy.
Favorite Entertainment Links
Sat, 05 Jan 2008 07:29:48 PST
Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl got married with musician Josh Kelley in Park City...First Photos Of Katherine Heigl's Wedding (7 Confessions)Lindsay Lohan was video recorded swigging from a bottle of champagne while she was dancing on the dance floor at a New Years Eve party...Lindsay Lohan Swigged But Stopped (7 Girl Friends Blog)Famous Olympic skater Dorothy Hamill has sadly been diagnosed with breast cancer...Olympic Skater Dorothy Hamill Being Treated for Breast Cancer (Bitten and Bound)Pain caused by Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) and Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice)’s eating disorders...The Spice Girls Talk About Eating Disorders (Celebrity Body Gossip)Well…shock of the century! Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon are getting a divorce!..Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon Getting A Divorce (Celebrity Royale)Paris Hilton has reportedly sent her best wishes to the troubled singer...Paris Hilton Reaches Out To Britney Spears (Gossip Girls)Scarlett was in Iowa this last Thursday to support Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama...(Miss Scarlett)Britney Spears is sedated and resting in the psychiatric unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center...UPDATE: Britney Spears Sedated and Refusing Visitors (Taylor's Entertainment News)Ashlee Simpson joined boyfriend Pete Wentz in the DJ booth at The Shore Club in Miami...Ashlee Simpson And Pete Wentz Play DJ (The Sweet Gossip)
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