The famous grape varieties behind the taste of Vinpearl Signature wine

There are more than 10,000 varieties of grapes in the world, but not all of them can be used in winemaking. Some of the most popular names that make up the bulk of global wine production include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato, Shyrah and Primitivo. These wine grapes are also an important factor behind the Vinpearl Signature collection, highlighting the seductive aroma and passionate flavor of wine. 

 1. Chardonnay – The queen of white wine

Chardonnay is the world's most popular white grape variety for producing white wine. Although originating in the Burgundy region of France, Chardonnay can be found in vineyards all over the world. In particular, Chile is one of the countries that developed this grape species very successfully.

Typical Chilean Chardonnay grapes 

Chile is one of the most important wine-producing countries in South America. Mother of nature favors this chili-shaped country with a cool climate in key vine-growing areas. The long west coast of the continent also provides excellent soil conditions for vineyards.
 
The Chilean ecosystem is like a natural crust protecting the land. In the 1800s, the phylloxera epidemic devastated most European vineyards, but the grapes in Chile were still thriving. Thanks to that, this country owns the oldest grape roots, creating a unique flavor for different wine lines.
 
As for Chardonnay, Chile is one of the few New World countries with unique and suitable development conditions. The rainfall is small and distributed mainly in winter, with much sunshine and a huge difference between day and night temperatures. This condition helps the grape ripe very slowly, ensuring the inherent freshness and acidity, resulting in the best quality grapes for wine production.
 

The signature flavor of fermented wine from Chardonnay

A rich, ripe fruit flavor is the signature characteristic of Chardonnay wine.
 
With Chilean white wine Chardonnay, wine lovers can feel the refreshing taste of tropical fruit with prominent pineapple, lemon, or spices notes. Wine in Chile is also more acidic than others due to sea breezes blowing in from the Pacific Ocean.
 

The best food to pair with Chardonnay

Chardonnay white wine has a strong flavor, so it is suitable to pair with white sauce pasta, pizza, fresh fish or seafood such as squid, shrimp, raw oysters, especially sashimi and sushi.

 2. Cabernet Sauvignon – King of the Red Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely grown grape in the world, originated in the Bordeaux region of France. As a result of an accidental crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon helps produce rich, delicious and long-aged red wines.
 

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make the pride of Chile

Like in most other wine-producing countries, Chilean also pays special attention to Cabernet Sauvignon as the key grape variety. Thanks to the diversity and advantages of the environment in different regions, Chile is able to create a variety of unique Cabernet wines.
 
Wines made in valleys with warm, arid climate are somewhat bold. In gardens along the Pacific coast or cold plateaus, the fruity taste is softer. 

The signature flavor of Cabernet Sauvignon 

Being present in most major wine-producing countries, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always carry the following characteristics: rich color, almost perfect tannin structure, the aroma of tomato leaf, black currant, bold spices and cedarwood.
 

In particular, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon wine is very famous for its distinctive flavor of green bell peppers that cannot be found anywhere else, blending with the flavors of fruits such as plum, black peach, black currant, black cherry ... and the fragrant of mint, baked spices or cedar.
 
Depending on the weather and climate of each wine-growing region in Chile, as well as the technique of each wine house, the wine bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon will have their own style.

What is tannin in wine?

Tannin is a natural polyphenol found in plants, bark or the fruit skin, leaves, and seeds. This is also the factor that makes up the characteristic acrid taste of wine. The amount of tannin in alcohol depends on the amount of peel, seeds and branches in the juice. The more bark, seeds, branches used as well as the longer contact time between the skin and the grape juice, the stronger the tannin, which makes the wine more acrid and dry.

Best food to pair with Cabernet Sauvignon

With diverse flavor and high tannin content, Cabernet Sauvignon is great for bold-flavored dishes or baked food. With Ochagavia Espuela Cabernet Sauvignon, suitable dishes for pairing include tomato sauce spaghetti, red meat, duck meat, mild cheese ...

3. Merlot - one of the most popular varieties of red wine production globally

Merlot has only one competition in terms of popularity and the amount of red wine produced from this grape: Cabernet Sauvignon.
 
Merlot originated from the Bordeaux region of France. It has dark green color, is used to produce red wine and is blended to create various blending. This grape is widely grown in most of the winemaking regions of the world, but perhaps not in many places the quality is comparable to the grapes in the hometown Bordeaux.
 

Merlot grapes from the prestigious wine production region of France

Bordeaux is known as the wine capital of the world, where immense vineyards grow and produce rare hundred-year-old wine bottles.
 

This land is located near the Atlantic coast, with many rivers flowing through, so the irrigation condition is bounteous. Meanwhile, the relatively warm summer climate and calcium-rich limestone geological structure help the precious grape varieties to reveal their qualities, creating a taste that no other vineyard can compare.

The seductive flavor in Merlot wine bottles from France 

Merlot grapes wine comes in a mellow green fruit flavor, softer and more neutral than Cabernet Sauvignon.
 
For the New World wine-producing countries, grape harvest tends to be late for the grapes to reach overripeness. Thus, the wine is purple in color and has a rich flavor, mild acridness, and high alcohol content. Strong oak, smooth tannins and blueberry and plum flavors are felt when tasting the wine.
 
Meanwhile, in Old World countries with typical traditional styles, such as France's Bordeaux region, Merlot grapes are harvested earlier to retain their young grape properties and acidity. Therefore, Merlot wines from Bordeaux have moderate alcohol content, aromas of fresh fruit flavors such as strawberries and raspberries.
 

Pairing dishes for Merlot.

The mellow fruity flavors of Merlot wines match well with steaks, soft cheeses, sausage and Italian salami.

4. Sauvignon Blanc - one of the most popular white grape varieties in the world

The green Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most widely cultivated white wine grapes in the world. Although originated from France's Bordeaux region, Sauvignon in Chile is also very famous in white wine production.

Impressive flavor of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Continuing with a wine product from Chile, Sauvignon Blanc has a characteristic flavor of green fruit, favoring a mild acidity. In the cool climates like in this chili-shaped country, wine is also well-known for its unique green bell pepper flavor, accompanied by the scent of herbs such as thyme, tarragon ...

Best pairing dishes with Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc in general and Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc in particular have mild flavor, so it is very suitable to pair with appetizers, canapes or shellfish, cheese.
 
Besides the typical grape varieties of the world wine industry, the Vinpearl Signature collection also has three unique grape varieties that not all wine regions can develop. 

5. Moscato - one of the oldest sweet wine varieties in the world from Italy

Moscato (also known as Muscat) is considered an ancient grape of Middle Eastern origin, used as raw material for wine production since the ancient Greeks. Moscato has created the world's famous sweet white wine, and the most outstanding is Moscato d'asti - the sweet wine of the Asti sub-region,Piemont,Italy. 

Piedmont - prestigious land with the little known history 

Turin - the capital of the Piedmont region - was the first capital of modern Italy. Although it has become one of the important industrial centers, it still has a golden imprint of the past, such as Madama Palace, Royal Palace, Villa della Regina - home of Queen Anna Mara d'Orleans, the Valentino castle... At the same time, Piedmont was also the place where the Italian aristocracy and royal family lived for a long time, namely the Savoy family – who holds the highest position in Italy later on.

Perhaps so, the Moscato wine bottles originating from Piedmont - the land of Italy's elite convergence- have quickly conquered the wine lover community around the world by its special grape variety and delicate flavor.

Grape variety that makes up the famous Moscato wine flavor in Piedmont, Italy

Moscato is a grape variety perfect for Mediterranean climate: sunny, warm, and humid. However, not many parts of the world have this kind of condition. Therefore Moscato grapes are only popularly grown in some regions, remarkably Italy, Portugal, Spain, Australia and the south of France.

Over hundreds of years of development, each gardener has taken care of his own Muscato varieties,  but the characteristics and flavors are incredibly diverse. However, only in Piedmont, grapes have the best quality and taste due to the favorable climate and soil.

Located at the foot of the Alps and shielded on the east by the Apennine Mountains, Piedmont has many plateaus, hills, rocky soil and reasonable slopes creating a conducive climate for vine growing. In particular, Piedmont has successfully produced the sparkling white wine Moscato d’Asti, always standing in the list of Europe's top favorite dessert wine bottles.
 

The delicate flavor of wine made from Moscato grapes

Moscato is known for the taste of sweet Italian wine, or more prominent is the famous Moscato d'Asti sparkling wine in Piedmont. Moscato d'Asti has a sweet taste, mild effervescence, and low alcohol content. Especially, this wine line has been awarded DOCG rating - a certificate representing the highest quality of Italian wine.

DOCG and the Italian wine ranking certificate system

The Italian wine classification system is published and widely applied to ensure that drinkers are informed about the wine information and its quality criteria. This classification system is divided into 4 levels:

DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controlata e Garantita) is the highest rank in the Italian wine class. DOCG wines are guaranteed of quality and origin entirely from Italy, and at the same time, meet a stringent set of criteria and rules. For example: "Only a few specific varieties are allowed, limiting yield to ensure the quality of each bunch, maturation standards, wine production method and aging time in an oak barrel.
  
To ensure the highest quality and geographic authenticity, each DOCG-labeled wine must be tested by a commissioner. Therefore, not many Italian wines have fulfilled the criteria for DOCG.
 

- DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) is the main classifying level and contains most traditional Italian wines. The quality regulation of DOC is still stringent, apart from few points that’s more relax than DOCG classification, such as geographic area expansion.

-IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) is usually applied for a particular region's popular wines. Many IGT wines having good quality and sold at high price, but cannot be ranked second or above because they do not fully meet the regulations of the DOC or DOCG (like exotic grapes),

- Vino da Tavola is a classification for table wine, suitable for everyday drinking, representing the most basic level of Italian wine. Vino da Tavola wines must meet the only criterion is to be made in Italy.
 

Bests pairing dishes with Moscato d'asti wine from Italy

Tosti 1820 Moscato d'Asti DOCG is suitable for enjoying with desserts, fruits, spicy Asian dishes, and spring rolls.

6. Primitivo grape – creates the fever named "Italian Wine"

Primitivo grapes are grown widely in Puligia - southern Italy. This grape variety usually matures early, ripen to dark black color, to produce rich color and flavor wine.

Primitivo is a traditional grape variety in Puglia, Italy

Primitivo is grown all over Puglia. The soil here is hot and dry, the plain terrain is slightly sloping towards the sea, so Primitivo grapes grow very well. This unique grape variety is perfect for warm areas, but the fruit quality will not be high if the weather is too hot, so not all countries can grow Primitivo.

For many people, the name Primitivo may not be too familiar, but when being exported from Italy to the US, this grape has become extremely well-known as Zinfandel - the specialty grape of American wine.  

Primitivo wine flavors make a name for Italian wine

Primitivo grapes produce bold-colored wine bottles with relatively high alcohol and tannin content, slightly bitter or acrid. Therefore, wine from Primitivo grapes should be rested in bottles for at least 24 months after the oak barrel aging before being marketed.

Food Pairings with Primitivo Wine

Due Palme Primitivo or wine produced from Primitivo grapes should be combined with red meat with bold sauce, bacon pizza, ham or cheese. Certainly, Due Palme Primitivo will not disappoint drinker when pairing it with a cigar.

7. Syrah grapes - the secret behind the Australian rich red wine bottles 

Syrah is a dark, thick-skinned grape found in France and is the offspring of two ancient grapes, Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza. Syrah grape skins are rich in tannins, producing a dark wine color, a bold tannin flavor, and a high alcohol content.

In Australia, this grape is widely grown and developed with many distinct qualities, so it is also known as Shiraz, and is considered as a typical Australian grape.
 

Sirah grapes - a signature Australian wine

Among the New World winemaking countries, Australia is the most prominent country for Syrah's grape growth.

Southern Australia has a dry and warm climate, suitable for growing grapes. In the McLaren valley, Fleurieu is famous for being one of the largest wine-growing regions of this country with the outstanding grape variety, Syrah. McLaren's Syraz brand has been recognized by  "wine lovers" all over the world.
 

The taste of Australia's Syrah wine conquers wine lovers around the world

Syrah grapes have created one of the richest red wines in the world, with a distinctive spicy flavor.

In temperate production areas such as the north of the Rhône River in France or part of the Walla Walla valley of the United States, Syrah wines are midly rich with mint, slightly spicy. In hot climates such as in the Barossa or McLaren valleys of Australia, the wine flavor are more of raspberry, chocolate and the spiciness is also clearer and richer.

Syrah wine has a strong flavor, especially the Australian Shiraz grapes, so the wine is often mixed with other grapes for the perfect taste. A prime example of this combination is the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that give the Syrah a fuller, softer flavor.

Syrah Food Pairing Advice

In order not to cloud the flavor of the dish, Syrah wine should be served with bold dishes, such as steaks, lambs, and intensely-flavored grills.

 

Vinpearl has carefully selected wine bottles fermented from the highest quality grape varieties, from the world's leading wine producing regions for their customers. With the “Vinpearl Signature” collection, your holiday will be enhanced with the most wonderful and complete culinary experience.

Note: People under 18 years old are not allowed to drink alcohol.
 

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