Reds ain't reds - anything but Cab Sav or Shiraz

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Reds ain't reds - anything but Cab Sav or Shiraz
Peter McLaren

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Australia is passing through a stage of wine awareness that is providing us with a huge number of varietal wines. New grape varieties are being planted and old varieties that previously ended up in port, dry red, 'burgundy', claret and cask are now bottled unblended to educate and sometimes delight us.

Here is a brief overview :
Pinot noir is the pride of Burgundy and often has a cherry 'nose'. Good pinot is sappy and gamey with fine tannins and a silky mouth feel. Poor pinot is 'thin', somewhat akin to alcoholic 'cherry cheer'.

Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot usually form 'Bordelais' blends in accompaniment with Cabernet Sauvignon. They are used to soften the cab sav, fill out the middle palate and make it more approachable when young. All of these can be bought as single blends. Merlot is described as plummy, Malbec as briary and Cabernet Franc as herbaceous. Merlot is the most popular and can make great wines. Try Petaluma or Kingston Estate.
Grenache is the main red grape of the Rh=F4ne Valley and has been used extensively in Australia, mainly blended. When irrigated, it is prolific and jammy but dry bush vines can produce wines of intensity with the characteristic raspberry nose. Try Hardys' Tintara, Tatachilla, D'Arenberg or Seaview.

Zinfandel is grown extensively in the US and produces largely wines of medium weight. There are a few recent plantings in Australia and New Zealand. Try Cape Mentelle.

Mataro or Mouvedre is important in Spain and was once important in Australia in terms of production. Although it is available as a varietal wine, it is neutral and astringent, and best blended. Try D'Arenberg.

Durif is a robust, full-bodied grape from the Rhone Valley. It is grown in a few areas of Australia, principally NE Victoria and has quite extensive plantings in the US where it is known as Petite Syrah. Morris Durif is our best known example.

Barbera, Trebbiano, Nebbiolo, Lambrusco and Sangiovese are some of the principal red grapes of Italy. There are some plantings in Mudgee and the MIA. They produce fresh, drink-now wines. Try Montrose, Coriole or Gary Crittendon.

The CSIRO has developed cultivars for select areas, such as Chambourcin, grown by Cassegrains in Port Macquarie and Tarrango by Brown Bros in Victoria. Both produce early drinking wines.

Do we need all these red varieties or is it just a fad? Well, Australia has a sunny climate that lends itself to quaffing some of these lighter reds. The growers may find an area that supplies a perfect environment for a certain type of grape. And it does help you better appreciate the nuances of blended wines. Enjoy!
Peter McLaren

Discussion

red wine and histamine
red wine and migraine
hello

'reds aint reds ..etc'

jeff hubbard, jhubba01@onaustralia.com.au
Posted 14/12/2000 7:35 PM

Hi,
Your article 'reds aint reds ..etc' seems to suggest chambourcin is a CSIRO creation. It isn't. It is a Hybrid developed in France from American and French parents.

red wine and histamine

Rene, rene1111@hotmail.com
Posted 17/3/00 2:32 PM

Is it true that red wine contains histamine?
I take anti histamine tablets daily and would like to know which foods and drinks contain histamine.

red wine and migraine

Peter McIntyre, PMcintyre@connect.net.au
Posted 2/3/99 11:21 PM

Dear Sir,
am searching the internet re info on red wine and migraines/severe headaches. So far only RED WINE is given as something to avoid. I understand that maybe it is only some types of red wine, SHIRAZ for one.

As a red Wine lover, info on the specific types would be useful to me. Is that available anywhere?

I would like the industry (medico or wine) to publicise this more as there are a large number of people affected and very few know of the specific wines which contribute to migraines. I expect the wine industry would not be happy about this. What about the medical profession in particular neurologists.

I will continue to search the net for relevant info

regards Peter McIntyre

Caroline Taylor, fourtaylors@bigpond.com.au
Posted 9/5/00 8:26 PM

As a woman I have discovered if I drink shiraz a week or so before menstruating, especially if it is below $15 I would probably get a headache, as soon as my period starts I drink what I want to no ill effect. I never however touch cask wine regardless of where I am in my cycle. Also paracetomol doesn't work at that time only aspirin?

hello

Bill Facker, bfac@msn.com
Posted 30/11 6:28

Just wanted to touch base - very involved in the industry here in New Mexico where we are experiencing a wonderful rebirth - Love to share insights.

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This page was last built on 15/12/2000; 7:15:06 AM.
It was originally posted on 22/7/1998; 12:29:05 AM.
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