MOSCATO
MOSCATO WHITE WINE Muscat Blanc is the Moscato used in Italy for Moscato d’Asti and Spumante, both light and fizzy wines. It also creates the Muscat d’Alsace of France, which is often made in the dry style. Muscat Blanc can also be found in the deliciously sweet wines of Beaumes-de-Venise in...
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MERLOT RED WINE The grape exudes soft fruit flavours of plum and blackberry, but it’s versatile – the style can change depending on the climate and soil. Merlot from mountain areas are usually more Cabernet like, with stronger structure and tannins; while Merlot from valley floor areas and clay-based soils are...
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CHENIN BLANC WHITE WINE Soils are often the defining factor of a Chenin style. In the Loire, the heavier, clay-based soils are best for fostering late-ripening, sweet Chenin Blanc – the chalky, more limestone-based soils are responsible for many of the lighter, crisper styles of the grape. Sweet Chenin Blanc is...
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CHARDONNAY WHITE WINE Chardonnay varies greatly with climate, soil and winemaking, but it adapts just about anywhere, which is what makes it so popular. Cooler climates like New Zealand and Chablis lead to crisp, acid-prone wines, while warmer climates like southern California and Australia foster riper grapes that create heavier wine...
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CARMÉNÉRE RED WINE Carménère is yet another grape that was eventually exiled from the Bordeaux blend. In the late 1800s, Carménère was brought over to Chile from France, and it never turned back. For a while, Chilean growers thought this grape was Merlot and labeled their wines as such. But in...
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CABERNET SAUVIGNON RED WINE The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is a small berry with a thick skin and a high pip to pulp ratio. This in turn creates a wine high in colour, tannin and extract. Typical Cabernet Sauvignon descriptors include blackberry, cassis, cedar and currant. Because the grape adapts to many...
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BORDEAUX BLENDS RED WINE Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. These five red grapes are the components of a classic Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot usually play the lead role, while Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot act as the supporting cast. These three grapes help to...
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VODKA Vodka is a clear, unaged spirit that is often considered to be completely neutral – without distinct characteristics, flavour, colour, or aroma. Source ingredients can range from grains such as rye and wheat, to potatoes, grapes, and sugarcane. Vodka is distilled to 190 proof or higher, before being reduced...
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