South American wines have made an impact on the wine markets of the world. It is a New-world wine -producing nation, whereas the European countries are considered the ‘Old world’ wine producing nations. There are several wine regions in South America, each with their own flavor and style of wine. A couple of the major wine-producing regions are Argentina and Chile. The grape varieties and methods are essentially the same as used around the world, but the climate and other factors add the subtle differences that make the drink more interesting!
The Chilean red wine has vastly improved in quality and they offer a wide selection of including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and others produced by joint ventures between Chilean wineries and foreign investors. The wines range from light bodied to full-bodied with rich crimson colours that delight the eye as well as the palate.
Apart from this, South America is the oldest of the wine producing countries outside Europe; some unusual varieties of grapes still are cultivated here, making wines that are distinctive in flavour and character. A wine connoisseur’s delight in the discovery of subtle flavours is fulfilled by a good quality South American wine.
Argentina, Chile’s neighbor also produces wine that has improved in quality .The vineyards extend from the foot of the mountains up to about 4000 feet above sea level, with the highest, cooler vineyards being more suitable for white varieties. Like Chile, Argentina has many unusual varieties of grapes, for example, Torrontes, a white grape variety with an interesting character. This variety produces fresh and aromatic wines, when crafted well by a good wine maker. Among the red wines, Argentina has its own French variety, Malbec, like the Carmenère in Chile. These unusual varieties have produced interest in the wine circles and created a niche market for South American wine.
Uruguay also has a say in the South America wine production. It specializes in Tannat, a grape variety that can be rather tough and demand long ageing, so many producers blend with other varieties to make a more approachable wine. These wines are also creating ripples in the international markets.
With emergence of new markets, South American wine is increasingly finding a place on tables all over the world and steadily gaining in popularity. The wine label of a bottle of South American wine is uncomplicated and has all the information which makes it easier to expect what is in the bottle.
French wines are made in a way that other countries just can’t seem to duplicate. There seems to have been extra care sealed into every bottle of French wine. This thoughtful consideration adds a unique quality to the fine French wines that continue to lead today’s wine market. During the initial process, French winemakers will crush the grapes as soon as they are delivered to the cellar. The winemakers can extract the most flavor from every grape, and the result is a French wine rich in flavor and certain to please the palate. The next step is to transfer the crushed grapes, or “must”, to specialized tanks for fermenting. The fermentation process is a necessary step in making fine French wine. Without fermentation there will be no alcohol, resulting in simple grape juice and disappointed buyers.
The addition of yeast, sugar and chemicals is not required in making French wines, as these elements occur naturally in French grapes. A change to the chemical balance of the grapes takes place during fermentation. This change is what lends the unique body and flavor to French wines. Optimal fermentation is reached when the must is kept at a steady temperature of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Smooth processing during this stage also requires proper ventilation. With these conditions in place, the winemakers can lay the foundation to create the French wines that have earned their places among the finest in the world.
The maceration process is the next step in the making of classic French wine. The wine takes on a rich color and body during this step. The color of wine is developed from the peel and natural tannin of the grape. The amount of “body” is determined by the amount of time the wine spends in maceration. Longer maceration will result in a more full-bodied wine, and many of the better French wines will take several weeks of maceration to reach their full potential. The final processing stage is known as raking. All solids are removed, and more than one type of wine can be created from the mixture during this final phase. The pulped that has been “raked” from the wine can be squeezed to create pressed wine, or used in its natural form as free run French wine.
French wine varies from the most common types that you can find virtually everywhere that sells wine, to the rare vintage, which can be very difficult to come across. If you are seeking one of the more rare types of French wine, your best chance would be to use the Internet. Wine lovers agree that wines of exquisite quality have been created by vintners located around the world. However, whether it’s the grapes of France or the careful methods used to process the grapes, few can quite match the unique quality of a fine French wine.