Wine Tidbits
Napa produces less than 5% of California’s wine grapes. (So what’s all the fuss about?)
Some top regions in the world for Pinot Noir are Champagne France, Russian River Valley in Sonoma California, and Oregon USA. (Remember what Miles said “it can only grow in these small tucked away areas)
California is the 4th largest producer of wine in the world behind France, Italy and Spain. (We’ve only been a player for less than 40 years, give us some time)
Port was originally developed by the British during their wars with the French by adding brandy to the wine to make it stronger and last longer on their battleships. (Nothing cures rot like adding a little brandy)
For the movie “Sideways,” George Clooney wanted to play the part of Jack but the producers thought he was too big of a name for the low budget film. (You won’t get this kind of info on other wine sites)
When pairing wine with food, a simple rule to follow is to pair like with like. So pair light white wines with light dishes and fuller-bodied red wines with heavier dishes. You don’t want the wine to overtake the food or vice-versa. Just like when choosing a mate, always seek complimentary pairings. (A lot of the time it doesn’t matter what the pairing is)
Portugal is an up and coming region not yet tapped into and could very well be the next hidden gem of the world of wine. (Let’s see what we discover)
All 50 states of the United States produce wine. (We didn’t say “good wine,” we said “wine”)
Some major health benefits from red wine come from an antibiotic found in the skins called resveratrol. (I know, it sounds like a prescription drug)
China ranks 7th in the world in wine production. (There are a lot of wine drinkers in dem woods)
Over 60% of Burgundy sells their grapes to Negociants who mix the grapes with other grapes from the same appellation to produce wine. (There’s a lot of “lot owners” out there but the wine is incredible)
Some of the most expensive wine in the world is in a little village in Burgundy France called Vosne-Romanee where they make great Pinot Noir. (Who woulda thought?)
Probably the best Pinot Noir in the world comes from Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy France. (sing along “She wore red…velvet”)
Semi-carbonic maceration is a process where bunches of grapes are put in a sealed vat, are not crushed, and ferment internally. (“Let me outta here!”)
In France, a garagiste is a very small wine producer, with quantities so small it can be made in a garage. (Just don’t get any on my Renault)
Probably the best Merlot in the world is made in Pomerol on the Right Bank of Bordeaux in France. (Now that’s the kind of f#*&ing Merlot I’ll drink)
The famous wine Cheval Blanc, referred to by Miles in “Sideways,” is actually made mostly of Cabernet Franc, which Miles said he never expected greatness from but later drank his classic ’61 in the hamburger joint. (I think you can expect greatness in this one)
Muscadet, in the Loire Valley of France, is actually a name of a wine but the grape is Melon de Bourgogne. (I AM NOT A GRAPE!)
Gewurztraminer is actually a French grape, popular near Germany in Alsace, and not German. (It’s pronounced guh-vairt-strah-mee-ner NOT geh-werts-tram-in-er)
Viognier is a perfumy white wine which, much of the time, is blended with reds to add stability, aroma and flavor.
