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FAQ - Wine Locales Online |
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| Unlike Europe, where part of the name of each range of wines are usually named
after the region in which the grapes are grown ie Bordeaux, Champagne, Chianti
etc, Australia and New Zealand usually label their range of wines after the
grape variety that the wine is made from ie Cabernet, Chardonnay etc.
‘Varietal’ refers to the grape variety used to make the wine, and is most often
applied to non-European wines. Red Wines
There are over 35 red grape varietals grown in the world today. Reds can vary
from light to full-bodied in texture; that is lighter to deeper in colour (this
generally corresponds to perceived acidity); low to high in tannin level;
younger to older in age. The redness of the wine depends on the contact with the
skin of the grape, as can be seen by, when you separate the grape skin from its
flesh soon after picking will produce a white red. |
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Types of red wines
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Reds |
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Aromas / Flavours |
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Cabernet Sauvignon |
A deep coloured, thick-skinned
grape that produces a very flavour able wine, and can have the potential to age
for a long time |
green pepper, capsicum, tomato
leaf, beetroot, eucalyptus, fresh mint, blackcurrant, plum, liquorice, dark
chocolate, black olive, dusty, mulberry, cedar, cigar box, pencil shavings,
earthy, cassis. |
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Merlot |
Usually less tannic and less
blackcurrant like than Cabernet Sauvignon. It produces a plumper, juicier wine
that is more rounded and seem to be sweeter. Aged Merlot becomes very soft and
velvety. |
cherry, plum, spices, violets,
fruitcake, chocolate, raisins, blackberry, roses, green beans, asparagus. |
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Pinot Noir |
With a colour that can range from
light cherry red to deep purple-red, and almost brown as the wine ages. |
raspberry, strawberry, cherry,
currants, coffee beans, mocha, meatiness, black truffle. |
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Shiraz/Syrah |
Dark, full-bodied, powerful,
alcoholic wines with great aging potential. |
black pepper, white pepper,
raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, plum, jammy, mint, black olive,
eucalypt, salami, dark chocolate, cedar, charred oak, cloves, tobacco, earth,
violets, gaminess, leather characters. |
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White Wines
There are about 50 major white grapes grown in the world today. Of the following
grapes, Riesling is the lightest and Chardonnay being the most full-bodied. |
Types of white wines
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Whites |
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Aromas / Flavours |
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Chardonnay |
Can be easily developed into a
variety of styles and flavour characteristics. |
grapefruit, apple, pear, peach,
nectarine, banana, lemon, fruit salad, tropical fruit, pineapple, fig, cashew,
toast, butter, nutmeg, oatmeal, smoke bacon, vanilla, toffee, butterscotch,
paraline, bacon fat, woodsmoke, honey, toast, melon. |
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Chenin Blanc |
Requires a lot of sun to bring
out its fruity flavours and to soften its acidity, with some Chenin Blanc that
have a soft, simple, crisp and fruity flavour. |
apple, pear, nuts, marzipan. |
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Riesling |
With a vivid fruitiness and
lively balanced acidity, Riesling has the potential to age for many years. |
floral, perfumed, apple,
grapefruit, pear, lemon, lime, orange, mandarin, citrus, peach, apricot,
passionfruit, pineapple, tropical fruit, honey, toast, kerosene. |
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Sauvignon Blanc |
Usually high in acidity and not
as complex or as full as a Chardonnay. Usually it’s very best when drunk young. |
grass, flint, green peas,
asparagus, cat’s pee, herbaceous, gooseberries, apples, pears, passion fruit,
ango, blackcurrant. |
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Semillon |
Grapes from cooler regions are
likely to have herbaceous tones coupled with citrus characters, while those from
warmer regions will be less herbaceous and have a greater citrus intensity and
tropical fruit characters. |
grass, citrus, lime, lemon,
peach, apricot, gooseberry, peas,lanolin, barley sugar, honey, vanilla
custard, toast. |
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Bubbly Wines
The only bubbly that can be rightfully called ‘Champagne’ are those made in the
north region of France ‘Champagne’, according to the ‘Methode Champenoise’. All
others should be labelled as ‘sparkling wine’ and if they follow the same
method, it is called the ‘Classic Method’ or ‘Methode Traditionnelle’.
Dessert/Fortified Wines
Such labelled wines are made with the addition of spirits to raise the alcohol
content. |
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(Source: variety of places including those listed below) |
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Other links
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Tonka
Bottle Shop
• Includes a wine section with information on
the history, regions, types, tasting and more.
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Porters
Liquor
• Gladesville Porters • 122 Victoria Rd, GLADESVILLE
NSW 2111
• Ph: 02 9816 5277 • Fax: 02 9817 3044 •
• Online store that include recipes, articles and more.
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The Wine Society
• PO Box 475, KINGS CROSS NSW 1340
• Ph: 1300
723 723 • Fax: 1300 788 988 •
• A not-for-profit co-operative with exclusive membership
offers. Also an events calendar.
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