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CABERNET FRANC
The star of all Loire wines, this sturdy grape variety grows well in many different types of soil and is quite resistant to frost. Blended with Merlot, it produces fine Pomerol and Saint-Emilion with very good aging potential. |
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CABERNET-SAUVIGNON
This plant produces long bunches of bluish berries which are quite sensitive to oïdium. It grows well in poor and dry gravelly soils and gives robust and rich-colored wines which will release their great power and delicacy after a long aging period. |
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CARIGNAN
Carignan is typical of Southern French wine regions. It is quite sturdy and easy to grow but offers limited yields. It produces spicy robust and powerful wines. However, it currently tends to be progressively replaced by Shiraz. |
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COT or MALBEC
Sturdy and producing high yields, Cot or Malbec plant prefers clay soils to gravels. Wines made with this grape variety are fruity, bright-colored and quite tannic. Malbec is still present in the Graves and Pauillac appellations but tends to be replaced by Merlot. |
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GAMAY
This early budding varietal produces small quantities of deep purple-black and juicy grapes. Mainly grown in Anjou and Burgundy, it gives a bright-red colored wine full of intensity. |
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GRENACHE
Resistant to drought and grown for reduced cropping, Grenache makes a colored alcoholic wine. Its powerful bouquet tends to quickly oxidize with age but this madeira-taste is quite sought-after for sweet Roussillon wines |
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MERLOT
Merlot is to Bordeaux what Gamay is to Loire. This productive varietal gives a high alcohol content to the wine but lacks power and aging-potential. It makes light wines when grown on sandy soil but more spicy and tannic wines on gravels or clay soils. |
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MOURVEDRE
This varietal originally comes from Spain but has long been cultivated in Provence. This sturdy plant particularly likes hills with high sun exposure. It makes richly colored and tannic wines which should be aged for many years. |
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PINOT NOIR
This is the famous grape variety used for the greatest Burgundy wines and Champagnes. Although it does not seem to adapt itself as successfully to Alsacian soils, red and rosewines made out of Pinot Noir are generally excellent products duly appreciated by wine-lovers. |
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SHIRAZ or SYRAH
Although this varietal requires much care, it is more and more cultivated, especially in vineyards located in the South of France. Wines made with such varietal are characterized by a deep color, complex fruity and tannic bouquet of spices, black and red-currant, and good aging potential. |
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ZINFANDEL
The much loved red grape of California , zinfandel is grown almost no place else in the world. In fact, its history is still a mystery, though scientists think that the grape may be related to a Croatian grape. Zinfandel has a mouthfilling, thick berryness that is sometimes described as being jammy or chewy. White zinfandel (not a separate grape variety) is made when zinfandel grapes are fermented without their dark purple skins. |
