Grapes

Viognier

A wonderful variety that was almost lost to the world….

GrapesCoralie StrongApril 30, 2021Grapes, Mango, Honey, Rhone Valley, Rhone, Southern Rhone, floral, Orange, Vanilla, Nutmeg, Rose, Stone, South Africa, Australia, France, Chateau Grillet, Condrieu, White, White Wine, Chile, USA, California

Müller-Thurgau

Müller-Thurgau was created as a crossing between Riesling and Madeleine Royale by Dr, Müller who lived in Thurgau Switzerland, hence the name.

GrapesCoralie StrongApril 24, 2020Pear, Peach, Rose, Geranium, Müller-Thurgau, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, United Kingdom, UK, High Yield, fresh, Bulk, Dry, Medium-sweet

Macabeo

Also commonly called Viura in Rioja and Macabeu or Maccabéo in France

Macabeo is a white variety popular in Spain. It is most commonly used for producing dry and sparkling wines but can occasionally produce sweet wines.

GrapesCoralie StrongApril 24, 2020emon, Honey, Almonds, Hazelnuts, White Blossom, Macabeu Maccabéo, Macabeo, Viura, Rioja, Cava, France, Spain, Sparkling, Fortified, Sweet, Dry, Resveratrol, Oak, Catalonia, Languedoc, Roussillom, Maury, Banyuls

Mourvèdre

Part of the famous GSM blend, Mourvèdre is used to make highly tannic and full-bodied wines. It needs lots of heat to ripen properly but can make very age-worthy wines.

GrapesCoralie StrongSeptember 18, 2019Australia, South Africa, America, California, Valencia, Jumilla DO, Alicante, Murcia, Spain, GSM, Grenache, Syrah, Shiraz, Languedoc, Phylloxera, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, Rhone Valley, Southern Rhone, Bandol, France, Highly tannic, full-bodied high in alcohol, Alcohol, Plum, Blackcurrant, Blackberries, Rose, Wet Stones, Sun, Heat, Rosé, Red, Oak, Mataró

Zinfandel

Zinfandel in America or Primitivo in Italy has a mixed reputation. From bold, high alcohol red wines to sweet pink rosé Zinfandel might not suit everyone’s tastes. However, when carefully produced the wines can be interesting with powerful aromatics and a rich structure.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is a very versatile grape variety that can produce wines at a range of sweetness levels and sparkling wine. Equally, the quality level can also range significantly. There are two key countries for Chenin Blanc, France, specifically the Loire Valley and South Africa.

GrapesCoralie StrongJune 5, 2019Honey, Lemon, Pear, Apple, Apricot, Flint, Chenin Blanc, White Wine, Wine, Grape, Loire Valley, France, South Africa, Sparkling Wine, Vouvray, Acid, Green Apple, Bulk, Premium, High Acid, Noble Rot, Sweet, Dry, Rot, Botrytis cinerea, Quarts de Chaume, Savennières, Dutch East India Company

Chardonnay

Known for the unfair term ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) this is a variety with a mixed reputation. At its best, the wines can be highly complex, with a great ageing ability and show great winemaking skill. At its worst, it can be dull, flabby and forgettable.

GrapesCoralie StrongJune 4, 2019Pineapple, Peach, Nectarine, Lemon, Passion Fruit, Almond, Celery, Lemon Zest, Green Apple, Honey, Vanilla, Chardonnay, South Africa, Chile, USA, California, Burgundy, Chablis, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Barbara, UK, England, Champagne, Europe, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Oregon, Washington, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet, Corton Charlemagne, Flint, Mineral, Chalk, Limestone, Clay, SA, NZ, New Zealand, Acid, Elegant, Flabby, Oak, Battonage, MLF, Stellenbosch, Elgin, Roberston

Malbec

A popular red grape variety that rose to fame after clever marketing and easy food pairing suggestions.

GrapesCoralie StrongJune 4, 2019Chocolate, Plum, Cherry, Raspberry, Blackcurrant, Blackberry Tobacco, Black Pepper, Malbec, Argentina, Red Wine, Wine, Red, Full-Body, Steak, Full-Bodied, Glass, South America, Bordeaux, Cahor, Mendoza, Tannat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux wine

Grenache

Grenache is an interesting variety. It is full of bright fruit flavours and floral notes. It is grown throughout the world creating a range of styles most commonly red and rosé

Tempranillo

Tempranillo is an incredible grape variety widely used in Spain and Portugal. It is used in the production of one of the worlds’ most fantastic fortified wines, Port. In Spain Rioja and Ribera del Duero it shines.

Mencía

A great grape variety at home in Spain and Portugal.

GrapesCoralie StrongMarch 6, 2019Pomegranate, Thyme, Cherry, Chocolate, Liquorice Blackberry, Mencīa, Jaen, Portugal, Spain, Monterrei DO, Ribeira Sacra DO, Valdeorras DO, Galicia, Bierzo DO, Red, red wine, Oak, floral, fruit

Carignan.

A grape by many names…

GrapesCoralie StrongJanuary 29, 2019Carignan, Spain, France, Raspberry, Cinnamon, Liquorice, Cranberry, Israel, Chile, California, USA, Italy, Sardinia, Priorat

Gamay

A great grape with a poor quality reputation. Gamay is hugely underrated in my opinion. Top quality Beaujolais Cru wines cannot only be of outstanding quality but also much more affordable in comparison to other French appellations.

GrapesCoralie StrongJanuary 29, 2019Gamay, France, Beaujolais, Cru, red wine, Red, Plum, Cherry, Strawberry, Carbonic Maceration, Beaujolais Nouveau, Banana, Raspberry, Sweet

Furmint

Best known for its role in producing Tokaji Aszú, a sweet Hungarian wine but Furmint is also used to produce dry white wines and even sparkling wines.

GrapesCoralie StrongJanuary 29, 2019Furmint, Hungary, Apricot, Apple, Mango, Lemon, Lime, Croatia, Austria, Slovenia, Tokaj, Tokaji, Dry, Sweet, Sparkling

Cabernet Sauvignon

The worlds' most famous red wine grape. Descendant of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Planted in warmer regions as tends to ripen later. Powerful aromas of blackcurrant, and if matured in new oak, aromas of cedar and tobacco can be seen. In youth deep purple in colour, ages well. The grapes are small but thick skinned-high ratio of colour matter and tannins to juice.