Everything about food & beverage services

FOOD & BEVERAGE SERVICES - II
FOOD: Anything edible having an ability to suppress
or appease our appetite / hunger.
BEVERAGE: Any liquid having thirst quenching,
refreshing, nourishing or stimulating
properties. Water is not a beverage rather
all beverages are water based.

CLASSIFICATION OF
BEVERAGES
Non Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic Beverages
Refreshing Stimulating Nourishing
Juices
Squashes
Aerated Drinks
Mineral Water
Tea
Coffee
Milk
Juices
Chocolate
Bournvita etc.

CLASSIFICATION OF BEVERAGES
Non Alcoholic Beverages Alcoholic Beverages
Fermented Fermented & Distilled Fermented , Distilled
& Compounded
WINES
CIDER
PERRY
BEER
SAKE
MEAD
SPIRITS
WHISKY
GIN
LIQUEURS
COCKTAILS
BRANDY
RUM
VODKA
TEQUILLA

CONSUMPTION TIME OF VARIOUS
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
PRE-MEAL DRINKS: Known as “ Aperitifs”
Cocktails
Spirits
Bitters
Beer
Wines
POST MEAL DRINKS: Known as “ Digestifs”
Brandy
Liqueurs
LBV or Vintage Port
Special Single Malt Whiskies
Liqueur / Spirit Coffee

WINES
Wine can be defined as the juice of freshly
gathered grapes grown in open vineyards,
suitably fermented according to the local
customs and traditions without the addition
of any foreign substance.

WINE PRODUCING COUNTRIES
 ITALY is the largest producer of Wines.
 FRANCE is the second largest producer of Wines.
 RUSSIA
 ARGENTINA
 SPAIN
 U.S.A.
 GERMANY

OTHER WINE PRODUCING
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
 PORTUGAL
 ROMANIA
 HUNGARY
 GREECE
 BULGARIA
 AUSTRIA
 CZECHOSLOVAKIA
 POLAND
 SWITZERLAND
 ENGLAND

WINE PRODUCING
MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES.
 TURKEY
 CYPRUS
 ISRAEL
 EGYPT
 TUNISIA
 ALGERIA
 MOROCCO

OTHER WINE PRODUCING
COUNTRIES
 NEW ZEALAND
 SOUTH AFRICA
 AUSTRALIA
 CANADA
 BRAZIL
 CHILE
 PARAGUAY
 URUGUAY

FACOTRS AFFECTING WINE
CLIMATE
SOIL
VINE FAMILY & GRAPE VARIETY
VITICULTURE
VINIFICATION / VINICULTURE
LUCK OF THE YEAR

A number of factors affect wine quality, the most
important being the type of grape used. The best
grapevine is the vitis vinifera, which has many
different varieties. The grape yield per acre is also a
factor. The higher the yield is the lower the wine
quality will generally be, conversely, the lower the
yield is the more concentrated the grape flavours
and the better the wine quality will be normally, a
ton of gushed grapes yield an average of 170 gallon
of Table wine.

Soil is also a factor, the best being one that offers good drainage, which is
why gravel and sand are better than clay. Good drainage forces the wines
root to seek deep moisture which cause their root to become longer. These
longer root are able to reach deep mineral deposits and these mineral, in
turn, add flavour to gapes and thus to wine.
CROSS-SECTION OF SOIL TOP VIEW OF THE SOIL

Another factor is climate. Grape vines like Cool nights and
Sunny, warm days, as these help them maintain the right
balance between acid and sugar in the grapes. However, too hot
weather when the grapes are maturing, near harvest times, will
decrease the acid and increase the sugar and will produce a
wine that may not age well. On the other hand too little
sunshine will reduces the amount of grape sugar and produce a
wine low in alcohol and as a result, sugar may have to be added
before fermentation to rise the alcohol level. Also rain at
harvest time can dilute the grapes sugar and encourage rotting
thereby lowering the quality of the wine. Mechanical grapes-
picking equipment can give grapes growers more control over
the grapes quality than hand picking can as all the grape can
be picked quickly when they all at their peak of ripeness. But if
rain has spoiled some of the grape bunches, hand picking will
allow those to be by passed.

Finally, the skills of the winemaker is extremely
important as it can effect the personality and
quality of the wine produced. The vintner's skill
can also vary, because of local tradition and will
dictate the type of wine made. The market for
whom the wine is to be manufactured also calls
upon different wine making skills. For examples,
if the wine is to be made in a smaller quantity with
a high quality or in a larger quantity with a lesser
quality .

VITIS VINIFERA
The best wines are made from a type of vine known as Vitis Vinifera.
Some of which are known to be three hundred years old. This wine
grows best in this broad belts one north and the other south of the
equator. Grapes can be grown outside these belts and be turned into
wine, but its quality is not considered as high as that from vines grown
within these belts. The northern belt includes knowledgeable wine
making countries such as France, Italy, Germany and the United States.
The Southern belt embraces Chile, Argentina, Australia and South Africa.
Vines will yield more grapes when planted in fertile soil on flat land but
the wine made from such grapes will seldom be comparable in quality to
wine made from grapes grown on sunny slopes in soil that may not be
fertile but is rich in the mineral that create a special characteristic, known
as bouquet, that is present in all quality wines.
As the grapes mature, their sugar content increases and their acid content
decreases. Grape growers thus must know when the balance between
sugar and acid is just right to produce the best wine.

Received wisdom is that pruning
hard keeps yields low and quality
high. However, many growers in
Australia have found that they can
produce good quality wine with
minimal pruning or no pruning at
all: yields, they say, find their own
level. The debate continues, with
European growers still firmly in
the hard-pruning camp. This
worker at Château Léoville-Barton
in Bordeaux is leaving just two
crop-bearing branches for the year
to come. The answer (if there ever
is one) may turn out to be that it is
local conditions that matter most.
Pruning

MANUFACTURING OF WINE
Broadly categorized into 3 steps:
 VITICULTURE (VINEYARD MANAGEMENT)
 FERMENTATION
 VINICULTURE / VINIFICATION

MANUFACTURING OF WINE
Various processes involved in the making of Wines are:
 Harvesting
 Grading
 Weighing
 Removal of stalks / destalking
 Crushing
 Sulphuring
 Fermentation
 Cellaring & second processing
 Racking
 Fining & Filtering
 Refrigeration
 Blending
 Maturing of wine
 Bottling of wines
 Pasteurization
 Ageing of wine

WINE PRESSINGS
Vin de Gouté: Known as running Wines. These
are from the first pressing.
Generally are of superior quality.
Vin de pressé: Known as pressed Wines. These
are from the second pressing.

TYPES OF WINES
1. TABLE WINE / STILL WINE / NATURAL WINE
2. SPARKLING WINE
3. FORTIFIED WINE / DESSERT WINES
4. AROMATISED WINE

TABLE WINES
These wines are popular at mealtime because of the low alcohol
content and also because they have a stimulating effect on the taste
buds.
These are produced by the natural fermentation of the juice of
freshly squeezed grapes.
Table wines are generally either red or white containing 9-14%
alcohol and may range from very dry to quite sweet .
Table wines are considered to be the best with the food as they are
great additions to the flavour of a meal.
More table wines are produced than all other wines combined.

SPARKLING WINES
These are effervescent wines. These wines appear to be bubbling
and sparkling.
These are used for almost every occasion and could easily be termed
as All purpose wines.
They could be red or white like the table wines and generally have
an alcohol content of 9-14% ranges from very dry to very sweet.
All wines other than sparkling wines are called “Still Wines”.
The most prominent of all sparkling wines is “CHAMPAGNE”.

FORTIFIED WINES
Dessert wines are generally fortified with brandy which halts their
fermentation and makes them stronger and sweeter than table wines
and sparkling wines.
These are wines which are generally used after the meals with
desserts or between meals with snacks. They have a filling effect
because of their sweetness and also helps in relaxation and digestion
after the meal.
Fortified wines are very sweet and have an alcoholic content of about
22%. Basically, the fortification enables the wines to travel more as
the increased alcohol content gives the strength to the wines.
The time at which the brandy is added decides the degree of
sweetness or dryness of the wine.

AROMATISED WINES
This category cannot really be accepted as wines due to the reason
that they essentially may not be made from grapes.
These are known as Appetizer wines and are used before the meals
to stimulate the appetite.
These are usually dry wines which are fortified after the
fermentation is complete. They can be flavored too and the alcohol
content generally ranges from 20-24%.

WINE TERMS
 OENOLOGY / ENOLOGY: Science of making Wines.
 AMPELLOGRAPHY: Science of studying Grapes.
 VATS: Fermenting Vessels.
 LEES: Impurities.
 BRUT: Very Dry
 SEC: Medium dry
 DEMI-SEC: Medium sweet
 DOUX: Sweet

WINE TERMS
 MUST: Unfermented grape juice.
 APERITIFS: Alcoholic drinks served or consumed
before the meal, helps in increasing the
appetite.
 DIGESTIFS: Alcoholic drinks served or consumed after
the meal, helps in digestion.
 CASK : Barrels made up of Oak wood used to
store & age wines.
 CELLAR: A warehouse used to store wines.
 CHAI: French term for cellar.

WINE TERMS
 MAITRE DE CHAI: Cellar master.
 VINE: Creeper of Grape.
 VINEYARDS: The place where vines are grown.
 VIGNERON: The Vine grower.
 VINTNERS: The Wine maker.

Vintage Year
Wine Type
Wine Producer
Area of Champagne
Style of Champagne
Capacity
Alcohol level

Shipper’s
Name Vintage
Year
Year of
Bottling
Shipper’s
Trademark
e-European
standard &
cl-centiliter
Alcohol
level
Type / Style

TASTING OF WINE
The quality of wine is analyzed by our senses.
SIGHT: The colour & clarity of the wine can be judged.
SMELL: Bouquet of the wine is analyzed.
TASTE: The aroma can be determined.
The tasting room should be well ventilated, with
sufficient natural light and the temperature of the room
should be around 20°C (68°F). Also there should be no
noise to distract the wine taster.

Winemakers and wine writers use a variety of descriptions to communicate the aromas,
flavors and characteristics of wines. Many of the terms seem familiar and natural,
yet others are less clear. Use this glossary of common wine terminology to help you
better understand and describe the wines you enjoy.
Acidity
The presence of natural fruit acids that lend a tart, crisp taste to wine
Aroma Smells in wine that originates from the grape
Astringent Bitter; gives a drying sensation in the mouth
Balanced All components of the wine are in harmony
Barrel
Fermented
White wine that is fermented in an oak barrel instead of a stainless steel
tank
Body
The weight and tactile impression of the wine on the palate that ranges
from light to heavy/full
Bouquet Smells from winemaking, aging and bottle age
Buttery Rich, creamy flavor associated with barrel fermentation
Character Describes distinct attributes of a wine
Chewy Wine that has a very deep, textured and mouth-filling sensation
Clean Wine without disagreeable aromas or tastes
Closed Wine that needs to open up; aging and/or decanting can help
Complex Layered aromas, flavors and textures
Cooked Wine that has been exposed to excessively high temperatures; spoiled
Corked
Wine that has been tainted with moldy smells or other obvious flaws from
a bad cork

Delicate Light, soft and fresh wine
Dry No sugar or sweetness remaining; a fruity wine can be dry
Earthy Flavors and aromas of mushroom, soil and mineral
Elegance A well balanced, full wine with pleasant, distinct character
Finish The final impression of a wine on the palate; ranges from short to long
Firm Texture and structure of a young, tannic red
Flabby/
Flat
Lacking in acidity, mouth-feel, structure and/or texture
Fleshy A soft textured wine
Flinty A mineral tone, aroma or flavor
Floral Flower aromas such as rose petals, violets, gardenia or honeysuckle
Fruity
Obvious fruit aromas and flavors; not to be confused with sweet flavors such as
berries, cherries and citrus
Full-
Bodied
Rich, mouth filling, weighty-textured wine
Grassy Aromas and flavors of fresh cut grass or fresh herbs
Green Unripe, tart flavors

Hard Texture and structure that hinders flavor
Herbaceous Grassy, vegetable tones and aromas
Lean Wine is thin and tastes more acidic than fruity
Legs
Teardrop impressions of alcohol weightiness that are visible on the inside
edges of a wine glass
Light-
Bodied
A wine with delicate flavors, texture and aromas
Lively Young, fruity and vivacious flavor
Malolactic
Conversion of hard, malic acid (green apple flavors) in wine to soft, lactic acid
(rich, butter flavors)
Medium-
Bodied
A wine with solid, but not rich weight and texture
Nose The smell of a wine; aroma
Oak
Aromas and flavors contributed during barrel fermentation and/or aging such
as vanilla, caramel, chocolate, smoke, spice or toast
Off-Dry
(Semi-dry)
Very low levels of residual sugar remaining in the wine
Rich Weighty flavors and texture
Round Smooth flavors and texture; well-balanced
Smoky/
Toasty
Aromas of smoke and toast imparted by fired barrels
Sweet Wines that have a higher concentration of sugar after fermentation

Tannin
A drying, astringent sensation on the palate that is generally associated with
heavier red wines
Terroir French word reflecting the expression of soil, topography and climate in a wine
Thin Wine is unpleasantly watery and lacks flavor and texture
Vegetal Herbal, weedy aromas and flavors
Velvety Smooth-textured with deep, rich aromas and flavors
Vintage Year that grapes were harvested and fermented to make a wine

MATCHING FOOD & WINE
There are some general rules concerning which wines
are best with which food. There are also some foods
with which one should not serve wine. Chinese and
Indian food are the best examples because these are
strongly flavoured foods and the curries would make a
wine useless as a compliment. For these foods, beer,
cider, tea or even a fruit juice goes best. In other words,
strong food with herbs & spices will overpower a good
wine and cause it to taste bland or even sharp. For the
same reason, a salad dressing containing vinegar or
lemon juice, a dish with heavy garlic, tabasco, mustard,
Worcestershire sauce etc. can ruin the taste of a good
wine.

Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Riesling Pinot Noir Syrah Merlot
Cabernet
Sauvigno
n
Zinfandel
cheese/nut
feta
goat
cheese
pine nuts
Asiago
havarti
almonds
havarti
Gouda
candied
walnuts
goat cheese
Brie
walnuts
sharp cheddar
Roquefor
t
hazelnuts
Parmesan
Romano
chestnuts
cheddar
Gorgonzo
la
walnuts
Brie
aged
cheese
meat/fowl
chicken
turkey
veal
chicken
pork
smoked sausage
duck
lamb
sausage
filet
mignon
chicken
roast game
pepperon
i
spicy
sausage
grilled meats
steak
venison
rib eye
beef stew
pork
spicy
sausage
beef
duck
seafood
sole
oysters
scallops
halibut
shrimp
crab
sea bass
trout
orange roughy
tuna
salmon
grilled swordfish
tuna
grilled tuna
cioppino
blackene
d fish
veggie/fruit
citrus
green
apple
asparagu
s
potato
apple
squash
mango
apricots
chili
peppers
pears
mushrooms
dried fruit
figs
strawberr
ies
currants
stewed
tomatoes
beets
carmelized
onions
tomatoes
plums
black cherries
broccoli
tomatoes
cranberries
grilled
peppers
eggplant
herb/spice
chives
tarragon
cilantro
tarragon
sesame
basil
rosemary
ginger
nutmeg
cinnamon
clove
oregano
sage
mint
rosemary
Juniper
rosemary
Juniper
lavender
pepper
nutmeg
sauces
citrus
light
sauces
cream sauce
pesto
sweet BBQ
spicy
chutney
mushroom sauce
light-
medium
red sauce
heavy sauce
red sauce
Barbeque
bolognese
bearnaise
brown sauce
tomato
sauce
spicy
Cajun
salsa
desserts
sorbet
key lime
pie
banana bread
vanilla
pudding
apple pie
carmel
sauce
creme brulee
white
chcolate
Black Forest
cake
rhubarb
pie
dark chocolate
berries
fondue
bittersweet
chocolate
espresso
gelato
spice cake
gingerbre
ad
carrot
cake

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR MATCHING
FOOD & WINE
 APPETIZERS: Champagne, dry & light white or rose wine
or a dry sherry.
 SOUPS: Dry sherry, full bodied dry white or light
red wine.
 SEAFOOD: Light, dry white wine.
 FISH: Dry or medium dry white wine.
 FISH IN RICH SAUCE: White wine with flavour & body.
 ROAST BEEF OR LAMB: Full bodied red wine.
 ROAST VEAL: Light red or full bodied white wine.
 GRILLED MEATS: Light, delicate red wine.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR MATCHING
FOOD & WINE
 ROAST HAM, PORK: Medium dry white, rose wine.
 GAME: Full bodied red wine.
 STEW: Full bodied red wine.
 PASTA: Robust red or full bodied white wine.
 POULTRY: Full bodied white or light red wine.
 DESSERTS: Sweet white or sparkling wine.
 STRONG CHEESE: Full bodied red.
 BLUE CHEESE: Sweet white wine.
 MILD CHEESE: Medium bodied red or fortified wine.
 FRUITS: Sweet white, sparkling wine or port.

STORAGE OF WINE
Proper Wine storage is of prime importance. A
good wine can be ruined before it reaches the
table, if it is not properly stored. The very first
essential of wine storage is an appropriate
location. Wine must be kept in a place where
it is not subject to temperature fluctuation and
sunlight or fluorescent light. This location
must also be such that the wine will be moved
as little as possible. The bottles should rest
quietly until they are ready to be opened as
frequent movement can damage the wine.

STORAGE OF WINE
The wines must always be stored on their sides and the wine
should be in constant contact with the cork so that it will not
dry out and allow harmful air into the bottles. Wines with
metal cap can be stored upright.

SERVICE OF WINES
Things required for service of Red wine:
 The ordered wine bottle
 Serviette
 Wine opener
 Ash tray
 Quarter plate
 Red wine glasses
 Wine Salver

SERVICE OF WINE
Things required for service of White wine:
The ordered wine bottle.
Two serviettes
Wine Opener
Ash tray
Quarter plate
White wine glasses
Wine salver
Wine Cooler

Things required for service of Sparkling wine:
The ordered wine bottle
Champagne chiller with stand
Two serviettes
Champagne glasses
Quarter Plate
Champagne stopper

There are mainly six wine regions in France:
1. BORDEAUX
2. BURGUNDY
3. RHONE
4. CHAMPAGNE
5. ALSACE
6. LOIRE

Largest wine producing region of France. This region is
famous for the good quality red wines produced here
which are known as “CLARET” in England and other
English speaking countries.
1. MEDOC
2. GRAVES
3. ST. EMILLON
4. POMEROL
5. SAUTERNES

This region is also known as “The heart of France” and is
famous for the fine quality red, white & sparkling
burgundies produced here.
1. CHABLIS
2. COTE D’OR
3. MACONNAISE
4. BEAUJOLAIS
5. CHALLONAISE

This region is named after the river which flows
through it. Rhone produces good white & red wines.
1. COTE ROTIE
2. HERMITAGE
3. CHATEAU NEUF-DU-PAPE

This region produces the world’s best sparkling wine which is named
after the region i.e. “CHAMPAGNE”. The word Champagne can
only be associated to a sparkling wine, if
a) It is produced within the region of Champagne and
b) It is manufactured by using the “ Methode Champagnoise”.
1. MONTAGNE DE REIMS
2. VALLEE DE LA MARNE
3. CÔTE DE BLANCS
4. CÔTE DE SEZANNE
5. AUBE

This region is located along the Rhine river
which flows across Germany. This region
produces some good quality white wines which
are France’s answer to the German Rhine &
Mosell wines. Riesling is the main grape
variety used for making the wines.

This region is located along the banks of Loire
river which is the longest and one of the most
beautiful rivers of France. Loire wines
sometimes are collectively known as “ Vins de la
loire” which includes red, white & rose wines ,
ranging in quality from poor to great.

It is an island in the Mediterranean, the wines of which
are primarily consumed on the island itself. It has nine
AOC regions and and island wide vin de pays
designation and is still developing its production
methods as well as its regional style.

It’s a small in the mountains close to Switzerland where
some unique wine styles, notably Vin Jaune and Vin de
Paille are produced. The region covers six appellations and
is related to Burgundy through its extensive use of the
Burgundian grapes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Though
other varieties are also used. It also shares climatic
conditions with Burgundy.

It is by far the largest region in terms of vineyard area
and the region in which much of France’s cheap bulk
wines have been produced. While still the source of
much of France’s and Europe’s overproduction, the so-
called “wine lake”. This region is also the home of some
of France’s most innovative producers. They try to
combine traditional French wine and international styles
and do not hesitate to take lessons from the New World.
Most of the wine from this region is sold as Vin de pays.

It is located in southeast and close to the Mediterranean.
It is perhaps the warmest wine region of France and
produces mainly rosé and red wine. It covers eight major
appellations led by the Provence flagship, Bandol. Some
Provence wine can be compared with the Southern Rhone
wines as they share grapes, style and climate. Provence
also has a classification of its most prestigious estates,
much like Bordeaux.

Savoy or savoie, primarily a white wine region in the
Alps close to Switzerland, where many unique grape
varities are cultivated.

South West France or Sud-Quest, a somewhat
heterogeneous collection Bordeaux. Some areas produce
primarily red wines like Bordeaux, while others produce
dry or sweet white wines. Area included in Sud-Quest
are:
 Bergerac & others of upstream Dordogne
 Areas of upstream Garonne including Cahors
 Areas in Gascony
 Bearn, Jaracon
 Basquecountry areas, such as Irouléguy

FRENCH WINE CONTROL TERMS
 TABLE VIN / VIN DE TABLE: These are the wines of medium quality which
may be a blend of wines from more than one country of the EEC and are not less
than 8.5% in alcoholic content.
 VIN DE PAYS: These are the wines from the larger districts of France.
AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôllée): Under AOC, strict regulations are there
to govern & control the whole wine manufacturing process ( viticulture,
fermentation & vinification ). Quality wines from different French regions whether
small or large, if bears a label of AOC, ensures the guarantee of authenticity.
 VDQS ( Vins délimités de qualité supérieure): VDQS wines are excellent second
quality wines produced from specified vineyards or districts of France. These wines
are also governed by strict laws.
 MISE EN BOUTEILLE CHÂTEAU: Wines bottled at the Chateau.
 ‘e’: This ‘e’ mark indicates that the bottler has complied with the EEC bottling
capacity regulations.

 QWPSR: Quality wines produces in a specific region
 INAO: Institut des Appellations d’origine
 TERROIR: It refers to the unique combination of factors like soil,
underlying rocks. Altitude, slope of hill, orientation towards sun and other
climatic conditions.

• CHIANTI (ITALY)
• VALPOLICELLA (ITALY)
• BARDOLINO (ITALY)
• BARBERA (ITALY)
• ST. JULIEN (BORDEAUX)
• POUILLAC (BORDEAUX)
• ST. EMILLON
(BORDEAUX)
• POMEROL (BORDEAUX)
• GRAVES (BORDEAUX)
RED WINES
• NUIT ST. GEORGES
(BURGUNDY)
• BEAUNE (BURGUNDY)
• CHINON (LOIRE)
• ST. JOSEPH (RHONE)
• CÔTE ROTIE (RHONE)
• HERMITAGE (RHONE)
• CHATEAU NEUF DU PAPE
(RHONE)
• VALDEPENAS (SPAIN)
• RIOJA (SPAIN)

WHITE WINES
• CHABLIS (BURGUNDY)
• POUILLY FUISSE (BURGUNDY)
• MEURSAULT (BURGUNDY)
• PULIGNY MONTRACHET (BURGUNDY)
• SANCERE (LOIRE)
• MUSCADET (LOIRE)
• VOUVRAY (LOIRE)
• ENTRE-DEUX-MERS (BORDERAUX)
• SAUTERNES (BORDEAUX)
• HOCK (GERMANY)
• STEINWEIN (GERMANY)
• FRASCATI (ITALY)
• SOAVE (ITALY)

The discovery of Champagne is frequently credited to “Dom
Perignon”who was the Cellar Master at Abbey in the late seventeenth
and early eighteenth century. It is often said that he was the first to
put the bubbles into the wine but the fact is that the nature puts them
there. What Dom Perignon did do was apply to wine the process that
puts fizz into beer. The bubbles are the same, CO2 which is a byproduct
of fermentation.
It is quite easy to make a fizzy or an effervescent wine. If the wine is
bottled before the fermentation is complete and the bottle is tightly
stoppered, the co2 will not escape until the bottle is opened. Dom
Perignon actually discovered a process of tightly stoppering the bottle
with a cork and he also learned how to improve a mediocre quality wine
to a champagne by blending.

Manufacturing of Champagne
There are 4 methods of making Champagne:
 Methodé Champénoise
 Charmat or Tank or Cuve close method
 Transfer or Transversage Method
 Carbonation or Impregnation Method

CHARMAT / TANK / CUVE CLOSE
METHOD
This was started by M. Charmat in France. In this
method, the still wine is taken into a Vat and a
measured quantity of sugar & yeast is added to
start the secondary fermentation. This fermentation
is carried out for 10 days and then is transferred
through filters under pressure and bottled. This
method is quicker and cheaper than Methode
Champenoise.

TRANSFER / TRANSVERSAGE
METHOD
This is very similar to Methode
Champenoise but in this process, the
expensive Remuage & Degorgement steps
are not carried out. Instead , the wine is
passed through a fine filter and Dosage is
added to the filtered wine and then it is
bottled. This is not a preferable method as
the bouquet and body of the wine is lost.

CARBONATION /
IMPREGNATION METHOD
This is also a cheaper method of producing
sparkling wine. In this method, the CO2 is
injected into the still, chilled wine and the
wine is then bottled under pressure.

METHODÉ CHAMPÉNOISE
1. Grape Varieties used:
a) Chardonnay (White)
b) Pinot Noir (Red)
c) Pinot Meuniere (Red)
2. First Fermentation
3. Assemblage / Blending
4. Liqueur de tirage
5. Secondary Fermentation

METHODÉ CHAMPÉNOISE
6. Sedimentation Process (REMUAGE)
7. Removal of Sediments (DEGORGEMENT)
8. DOSAGE OR LIQUEUR DE EXPEDITION

BRAND NAMES OF CHAMPAGNE
I. BOLLINGER
II. KRUG & CO.
III. PIPER HIEDSICK
IV. DOM PERIGNON
V. MOET ET CHANDON
VI. G.H.MUMMS
VII. CHARLES HIEDSICK
VIII.TATTINGER
IX. POL ROGER
X. VEUVE CLICQUOT
PONSARDIN
XI. LOUIS ROEDERER
XII. LAURENT PERRIER
XIII.LANSON
XIV. MERCIER
XV. PERRIER JOUT
XVI. RUINART
XVII.CORDON ROUGE
XVIII.BILCART SALMON

SPARKLING WINES
INDIA - MARQUIS DE PAMPADOUR (M.D.P.)
SULA
SPAIN - CARTE NEVADA
CORDON NIGRO
ITALY - ASTI SPUMANTE
GERMANY - HENKEL TROKEN
HENKEL KARDINAL
AMERICA - CHAMPAGNE AMERICANO
AUSTRALIA - YALUMBA
MORRIS
JIM BARRY

VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE
Non-Vintage champagne makes up about 80% of all
champagne made. By law, these champagnes must age
for one year in the bottle. Almost all champagnes are
blended and often from the wines of more than one
harvest. Vintage champagnes are produced occasionally
in a particularly good grape growing year. When this
happens, only the grapes from that year are used and the
champagne becomes the vintage one. The year appears
on the bottle label and the cork.
The Vintage Champagne may be a blend but from
the same year. However, in order to be declared a vintage
Champagne by law, it must be matured for a minimum of
one year and then be aged in the bottle for a minimum of
five years.

WINES OF GERMANY
Germany does not produce much of wine. Its total wine
production is only about 10% of either France’s or Italy’s
and only about 1% of the world’s total production.
Germany produces wines from the major vines of the
world like Riesling, Sylvaner, Traminer etc. Although in
earlier times most of the German wines used to be red but
today it is almost entirely white. The wines of Germany are
produced primarily in the valley of the Rhine & Moselle
rivers. Some of the best German wines are produced from
over ripened grapes, a condition that concentrates the
grape sugar & natural flavour. It is the degree of ripeness
that forms the basis of German wine laws. Because of their
sweetness, German wines are best consumed on their own
or with desserts but not with any strongly flavoured food.

WINE REGIONS OF GERMANY
Germany is divided into 13 wine producing regions
(Anbaugebiete). Each region is having 2 or more districts.
Each district has several villages or parishes and each
village has several vineyards. In total, there are about
2600 vineyards in Germany.
1. Ahr 2. Baden
3. Hessiche Bergstrasse 4. Franken
5. Mittelrhein 6. Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
7. Nahe 8. Rheingau
9. Rheinhessen 10. Rheinpfalz
11.Württemberg 12. Saale Unstrut
13.Sachsen

GERMAN WINE LAWS
German wine laws came into existence in the year 1971.
1. Deutscher Tafelwein: This category is equivalent
to the French Table Wines. The alcohol content must be
at least 8.5% by volume. Sugar can be added to reach at
this level. Acidity must be 4.5 g/lt. Tafelwein (without
Deutscher) is a table wine blended with other European
wines, also known as Euroblend.

2. Deutscher Landwien: This category is equivalent to
French Vin de pays. There are 19 different areas from
where the German Country wine can be produced. The
wine must be dry or semi dry with 0.5% more alcohol that
tablewines. These are also known as German Fruit wine.

3. Qualitatswein bestinnter Anbaugebiete (QbA): These
wines must be produced exclusively from allowed varieties in
one of the 13 wine-growing regions (Anbaugebiete), and the
region must be shown on the label. The grapes must reach a
must weight of 51°Oe to 72°Oe depending on region and
grape variety. The alcohol content of the wine must be at
least 7% by volume, and chaptalization is allowed. QbA
range from dry to semi-sweet, and the style is often indicated
on the label. There are some special wine types which are
considered as special forms of QbA. Some top-level dry
wines are officially QbA although they would qualify as
Prädikatswein. It should be noted that
only Qualitätswein plus the name of the region, rather than
the full term Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete is found
on the label.

Prädikatswein, recently (August 1, 2007) renamed
from Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP) :
The top level of the classification system. These prominently
display a Prädikat from Kabinett to Trockenbeerenauslese on the
label and may not be chaptalized. Prädikatswein range from dry
to intensely sweet, but unless it is specifically indicated that the
wine is dry or off-dry, these wines always contain a noticeable
amount of residual sugar. Prädikatswein must be produced from
allowed varieties in one of the 39 subregions (Bereich) of one of
the 13 wine-growing regions, although it is the region rather than
the subregion which is mandatory information on the label.
(Some of the smaller regions, such as Rheingau, consist of only
one subregion.) The required must weight is defined by the
Prädikat, and the alcohol content of the wine must be at least 7%
by volume for Kabinett to Auslese, and 5.5% by volume for
Beerenauslese, Eiswein and Trockenbeerenauslese.

Prädikat designations
The Prädikatswein (formerly QmP) category of the
classification contains most high-quality German wines,
with the exception of some top-quality dry wines. The
different Prädikat designations differ in terms of the
required must weight, the sugar content of the grape juice,
and the level required is dependent on grape variety and
wine-growing region and is defined in terms of the
Oechsle scale. In fact the must weight is seen as a rough
indicator of quality (and price). The Prädikat system has
its origin at Schloss Johannisberg in Rheingau, where the
first Spätlese was produced in 1775 where wines received
different colour seals based on their must weight.
The different Prädikat designations used are as followed,
in order of increasing sugar levels in the must:

Kabinett
fully ripened light wines from the main harvest, typically semi-sweet with crisp acidity, but
can be dry if designated so.
Spätlese - meaning "late harvest"
typically semi-sweet, often (but not always) sweeter and fruitier than Kabinett. Spätlese can
be a relatively full-bodied dry wine if designated so. While Spätlese means late harvest the
wine is not as sweet as a dessert wine.
Auslese - meaning "select harvest"
made from selected very ripe bunches or grapes, typically semi-sweet or sweet,
sometimes with some noble rot character. Sometimes Auslese is also made into a powerful
dry wine, but the designation Auslese trocken has been discouraged after the introduction
of Grosses Gewächs. Auslese is the Prädikat which covers the widest range of wine styles,
and can be a dessert wine.
Beerenauslese - meaning "select berry harvest"
made from individually selected overripe grapes often affected by noble rot, making rich
sweet dessert wine.
Eiswein (ice wine)
made from grapes that have been naturally frozen on the vine, making a very concentrated
wine. Must reach at least the same level of sugar content in the must as a Beerenauslese.
The most classic Eiswein style is to use only grapes that are not affected by noble rot. Until
the 1980s, the Eiswein designation was used in conjunction with another Prädikat (which
indicated the ripeness level of the grapes before they had frozen), but is now considered a
Prädikat of its own.
Trockenbeerenauslese - meaning "select dry berry harvest" or "dry berry selection"
made from selected overripe shrivelled grapes often affected by noble rot making
extremely rich sweet wines.

WINE PRODUCING REGIONS
1. Ahr - a small region along the river Ahr, a tributary of
Rhine, that despite its northernly location primarily
produces red wine from Spätburgunder.
2. Baden - in Germany's southwestern corner, across
river Rhine from Alsace, and the only German wine
region situated in European Union wine growing
zone B rather than A, which results in higher minimum
required maturity of grapes and less chaptalisation
allowed. Noted for its pinot wines - both red and white.
Although the Kaiserstuhl region in the wine growing
region of Baden is Germany's warmest location, the
average temperature in the whole wine region is a little
bit lower than in Palatinate (zone A). One of two wine
regions in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.

3. Franconia or Franken - around portions of Main river,
and the only wine region situated in Bavaria. Noted for
growing many varieties on chalky soil and for producing
powerful dry Silvaner wines.
4. Hessische Bergstraße (Hessian Mountain Road) - a
small region in the federal state Hesse dominated by
Riesling.
5. Mittelrhein - along the middle portions of river Rhine,
primarily between the regions Rheingau and Mosel, and
dominated by Riesling.

6. Mosel - along the river Moselle (Mosel) and its
tributaries, the rivers Saar and Ruwer, and was
previously known as Mosel-Saar-Ruwer. The Mosel
region is dominated by Riesling grapes and slate soils,
and the best wines are grown in dramatic-looking steep
vineyards directly overlooking the rivers. This region
produces wine that is light in body, crisp, of high acidity
and with pronounced mineral character. The only region
to stick to Riesling wine with noticeable residual
sweetness as the "standard" style, although dry wines
are also produced.
7. Nahe - around the river Nahe where volcanic origins
give very varied soils. Mixed grape varieties but the
best known producers primarily grow Riesling, and
some of them have achieved world reputation in recent
years.

8. Palatinate or Pfalz - the second largest producing
region in Germany, with production of very varied
styles of wine (especially in the southern half), where
red wine has been on the increase. The northern half of
the region is home to many well known Riesling
producers with a long history, which specialize in
powerful Riesling wines in a dry style. Warmer than all
other German wine regions. Until 1995, it was known in
German as Rheinpfalz.

9. Rheingau - a small region situated at a bend in river
Rhine which give excellent conditions for wine growing.
The oldest documented references to Riesling come from
the Rheingau region and it is the region where many
German wine making practices have originated, such as
the use of Prädikat designations, and where many high-
profile producers are situated. Dominated by Riesling with
some Spätburgunder. The Rheingau Riesling style is in-
between Mosel and the Palatinate and other southern
regions, and at its finest combines the best aspects of
both.

10. Rheinhessen or Rhenish Hesse - the largest
production area in Germany. Once known as
Liebfraumilch land, but a quality revolution has taken
place since the 1990s. Mixed wine styles and both red
and white wines. The best Riesling wines are similar to
Palatinate Riesling - dry and powerful. Despite its name,
it lies in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, not in
Hesse.
11. Saale-Unstrut - one of two regions in former East
Germany, situated along the rivers Saale and Unstrut,
and Germany's northernmost wine growing region.

12. Saxony or Sachsen - one of two regions in former East
Germany, in the southeastern corner of the country, along
the river Elbe in the federal state of Saxony.
13. Württemberg - a traditional red wine region, where
grape varieties Trollinger (the region's signature variety),
Schwarzriesling and Lemberger outnumber the varieties
that dominate elsewhere. One of two wine regions in the
federal state of Baden-Württemberg.

FAMOUS WINES OF GERMANY
1. Spätburgunder: The forefather of the burgundy
wines. Dark red colour with delicate aroma. Typical is
a taste that reminds of blackcurrant or blackberry.
These noble wines are good with game, poultry, paté
de fois gras, pasta and pizza. The colour stays in the
berry involucres and creates, therefore, a salmon-
coloured fresh wine that is especially consumed in
summer.
2. Trollinger: Southern Tyrol is the original homeland of
the Trollinger from where the name is derived from.
Today, it is almost exclusively cultivated in
Wurttemberg. A light and fruity wine that varies in its
colour between salmon-red and ruby-red. A good
Trollinger tastes juicy and is served lightly cooled.

3. Muskattrollinger: Fruity, bright red wine with
distinctive nutmeg aroma. Rare speciality, good
with Hors d’oeuvres and desserts.
4. Lemberger (Blaufrankisch): a warm and aromatic
wine. The colour is a glowing ruby-red with some
brown reflections. Powerful red wine, one of the
most noble types.
5. Dornfelder: Deep purple, dense colour. Noble red
wine with a full body and full aroma and flavour.
Excellent for the production in small wooden
barrels (barrique).
6. Samtrot: A natural mutation of the black Riesling.
Ruby-red to dark red colour. Velvety taste, warm
and full bodied.

A.P.Number
Abbreviation for Amtliche Prüfungsnummer,
the official testing number displayed on
a German wine label that shows that the
wine was tasted and passed
government quality control standards.

WINES OF ITALY
Italian wine is wine produced in Italy, a country which is home to some
of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Etruscans and
Greek settlers produced wine in the country long before
the Romans started developing their own vineyards in the 2nd century
BC. Roman grape-growing and winemaking was prolific and well-
organized, pioneering large-scale production and storage techniques
like barrel-making and bottling. Two thousand years later, Italy remains
one of the world's foremost producers, responsible for approximately
one-fifth of world wine production in 2005.
Wine is a popular drink in Italy. Grapes are grown in almost every part
of Italy, with more than 1 million vineyards under cultivation. In some
places the vines are trained along low supports. In others they climb as
slender saplings.
Most wine-making in Italy is done in modern wineries. However,
villagers who make wine for their own use sometimes still tread the
grapes with their bare feet, until the juice is squeezed out. They
believe this ancient method still makes the best wine.

Although wines had been elaborated from the wild Vitis vinifera grape for millennia, it
wasn't until the Greek colonization that wine-making flourished. Viticulture was
introduced into Sicily and southern Italy by the Mycenaean Greeks, and was well
established when the extensive Greek colonization transpired around 800 BC. It was
during the Roman defeat of the Carthaginians (acknowledged masters of wine-making) in
the second century BC that Italian wine production began to further flourish. Large-scale,
slave-run plantations sprang up in many coastal areas and spread to such an extent that,
in AD92, emperor Domitian was forced to destroy a great number of vineyards in order to
free up fertile land for food production.
During this time, viticulture outside of Italy was prohibited under Roman law. Exports to
the provinces were reciprocated in exchange for more slaves, especially
from Gaul where trade was intense, according to Pliny, due to the inhabitants being
besotted with Italian wine, drinking it unmixed and without restraint. Roman wines
contained more alcohol and were generally more powerful than modern fine wines. It was
customary to mix wine with a good proportion of water which may otherwise have been
unpalatable, making wine drinking a fundamental part of early Italian life.
As the laws on provincial viticulture were relaxed, vast vineyards began to flourish in the
rest of Europe, especially Gaul (present day France) and Hispania. This coincided with
the cultivation of new vines, like biturica (ancestor of the Cabernets). These vineyards
became hugely successful, to the point that Italy ultimately became an import centre for
provincial wines.
Depending on the vintage, modern Italy is the world's largest or second largest wine
producer. In 2005, production was about 20% of the global total, second only to France,
which produced 26%. In the same year, Italy's share in dollar value of table wine imports
into the U.S. was 32%, Australia's was 24%, and France's was 20%. Along with Australia,
Italy's market share has rapidly increased in recent years.

Vines and vineyards together with olive trees

Vineyards around the town of Barolo.

CLASSIFICATION OF ITALIAN WINES
Italy's classification system is a modern one that reflects current realities.
It has four classes of wine, with two falling under the EU category Quality
Wine Produced in a Specific Region (QWPSR) and two falling under the
category of 'table wine'. The four classes are:
Table Wine:
Vino da Tavola (VDT) - Denotes wine from Italy. NOTE: this is not always
synonymous with other countries' legal definitions of 'table wine'. The
appellation indicates either an inferior qualifying wine, or one that does not
follow current wine law. Some quality wines do carry this appellation.
Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) - Denotes wine from a more specific
region within Italy. This appellation was created for the "new" wines of Italy,
those that had broken the strict, old wine laws but were wines of great
quality. Before the IGT was created, quality "Super Tuscan" wines such as
Tignanello and Sassicaia were labeled Vino da Tavola.

QWPSR:
Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
Both DOC and DOCG wines refer to zones which are more specific
than an IGT, and the permitted grapes are also more specifically
defined. The main difference between a DOC and a DOCG is that the
latter must pass a blind taste test for quality in addition to conforming to
the strict legal requirements to be designated as a wine from the area
in question. Presently, there are 120 IGT zones. In February 2006 there
were 311 DOC plus 36 DOCG appellations.

Italy's 20 wine regions correspond to the 20 political regions.
Understanding of Italian wine becomes clearer with an
understanding of the differences between each region; their
cuisines reflect their indigenous wines, and vice-versa. The
36 DOCG wines are located in 13 different regions but most
of them are concentrated in Piedmont and Tuscany. Among
these are appellations appreciated and sought by wine
lovers around the world: Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello and
Chianti Classico. Despite its high quality Amarone is not
classified as a DOCG.
The regions are, roughly from Northwest to Southeast:

Aosta Valley (Valle D'Aosta)
Piedmont (Piemonte)
Liguria
Lombardy (Lombardia)
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Veneto
Emilia-Romagna
Tuscany (Toscana)
Marche (Le Marche)
Umbria
Lazio (Latium)
Abruzzo
Molise
Campania
Basilicata
Apulia (Puglia)
Calabria
Sicily (Sicilia)
Sardinia (Sardegna)

Rosso (Red)
 Sangiovese - Italy's claim to fame, the pride of Tuscany. Its wines are full of cherry
fruit, earth, and cedar. It produces Chianti Classico, Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di
Montalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano, Montefalco Rosso, and many others.
 Nebbiolo - The most noble of Italy's varietals. The name (meaning "little fog") refers to
the autumn fog that blankets most of Piedmont where it is grown, a condition the grape
seems to enjoy. It is a somewhat difficult varietal to master, but produces the most
renowned Barolo and Barbaresco, made in province of Cuneo, along with the lesser-
known Sforzato, Inferno and Sassella made in Valtellina, Ghemme and Gattinara, made
in Vercelli's province. The wines are known for their elegance and bouquet of wild
mushroom, truffle, roses, and tar.
 Montepulciano- The grape of this name is not to be confused with the Tuscan town
of Montepulciano; it is most widely planted on the opposite coast in Abruzzo. Its wines
develop silky plum-like fruit, friendly acidity, and light tannin.
 Barbera - The most widely grown red wine grape of Piedmont and
Southern Lombardy, most famously around the towns of Asti and Alba, and Pavia. The
wines of Barbera were once simply "what you drank while waiting for the Barolo to be
ready." With a new generation of wine makers, this is no longer the case. The wines are
now meticulously vinified, aged Barbera gets the name "Barbera Superiore" (Superior
Barbera), sometimes aged in French barrique becoming "Barbera Barricato", and
intended for the international market. The wine has bright cherry fruit, a very dark color,
and a food-friendly acidity.

 Corvina - Along with the varietals rondinella and molinara, this is the principal
grape which makes the famous wines of the Veneto: Valpolicella and Amarone.
Valpolicella wine has dark cherry fruit and spice. After the grapes undergo passito (a
drying process), the Amarone they yield is elegant, dark, and full of raisin like fruits.
Some Amarones can age for 40+ years.
 Nero d'Avola - Nearly unheard of in the international market until recent years, this
native varietal of Sicily is gaining attention for its robust, inky wines, and has
therefore been nicknamed "the Barolo of the South".
 Dolcetto - A grape that grows alongside Barbera and Nebbiolo in Piedmont, its
name means "little sweet one"", referring not to the taste of the wine, but the ease in
which it grows and makes great wines, suitable for everyday drinking. Flavors of
concord grape, wild blackberries and herbs permeate the wine.
 Negroamaro - The name literally means "black and bitter". A widely planted grape
with its concentration in the region of Puglia, it is the backbone of the
acclaimed Salice Salentino: spicy, toasty, and full of dark red fruits.

Aglianico - Considered the "noble varietal of the south," it is primarily
grown in Campania and Basilicata. The name is derived from Hellenic,
so it is considered a Greek transplant. Thick skinned and spicy, the
wines are often both rustic and powerful.
 Sagrantino - A native to Umbria, it is only planted on 250 hectares, but
the wines produced from it (either blended with Sangiovese as Rosso di
Montefalco or as a pure Sagrantino) are world-renowned. Inky purple,
with rustic brooding fruit and heavy tannins, these wines can age for
many years.
 Malvasia Nera - Red Malvasia varietal from Piedmont. A sweet and
perfumed wine, sometimes elaborated in the passito style

Bianco (White)
Trebbiano - Behind cataratto (which is made for industrial jug wine), this is the
most widely planted white varietal in Italy. It is grown throughout the country, with a
special focus on the wines from Abruzzo and from Lazio, including Frascati. Mostly,
they are pale, easy drinking wines, but trebbiano from producers such as Valentini
have been known to age for 15+ years. It is known as Ugni Blanc in France.
Moscato - Grown mainly in Piedmont, it is mainly used in the slightly-sparkling
(frizzante), semi-sweet Moscato d'Asti. Not to be confused with moscato
giallo and moscato rosa, two Germanic varietals that are grown in Trentino Alto-
Adige.
Nuragus - An ancient Phoenician varietal found in southern Sardegna. Light and
tart wines that are drunk as an apertif in their homeland.
Pinot Grigio - A hugely successful commercial grape (known as Pinot Gris in
France), its wines are characterized by crispness and cleanness. As a hugely mass-
produced wine, it is usually delicate and mild, but in a good producers' hands, the
wine can grow more full-bodied and complex. The main problem with the grape is
that to satisfy the commercial demand, the grapes are harvested too early every
year, leading to wines without character

 Tocai Friulano - A varietal distantly related to Sauvignon Blanc, it yields
the top wine of Friuli, full of peachiness and minerality. Currently, there is a
bit of controversy regarding the name, as the EC has demanded it changed
to avoid confusion with the Tokay dessert wine from Hungary.
 Ribolla Gialla - A Slovenian grape that now makes its home in Friuli,
these wines are decidedly old-world, with aromas of pineapple and
mustiness.
 Arneis - A crisp and floral varietal from Piedmont, which has been grown
there since the 15th century.
 Malvasia Bianca - Another white varietal that peeks up in all corners of
Italy with a wide variety of clones and mutations. Can range from easy
quaffers to funky, musty whites.
 Pigato - A heavily acidic varietal from Liguria, the wines are vinified to pair
with a cuisine rich in seafood.
Fiano (wine) - Grown on the southwest coast of Italy, the wines from this
grape can be described as dewy and herbal, often with notes of pinenut and
pesto.
Garganega - The main grape varietal for wines labeled Soave, this is a
crisp, dry white wine from the Veneto wine region of Italy. It's a very popular
wine that hails from northeast Italy around the city of Verona. Currently,
there are over 3,500 distinct producers of Soave

Super Tuscans
The term "Super Tuscan" describes any Tuscan red wine that
does not adhere to traditional blending laws for the region.
For example, Chianti Classico wines are made from a blend
of grapes with Sangiovese as the dominant varietal in the
blend. Super Tuscans often use other grapes,
especially cabernet sauvignon, making them ineligible for
DOC(G) classification under the traditional rules.

SOUTH AFRICA IS ONE FO THE WORLD’S MOST EXCITING WINE
PRODUCING COUNTRIES. As of 2003, South Africa was 17th in terms of
acreage planted with the country owning 1.5% of the world's
grape vineyards with 270,600 acres (110,000 hectares). Yearly
production among South Africa's wine regions is usually around
264 million gallons (10 million hl) which regularly puts the country
among the top ten wine producing countries in the world. The
majority of wine production in South Africa takes place in the Cape
Province, particularly the southwest corner near the coastal
region. South African wine has a history dating back to 1659,
and at one time Constantia was considered one of the greatest
wines in the world. Access to international markets has unleashed
a burst of new energy and new investment. Production is
concentrated around Cape Town, with major vineyard and
production centres at Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester.

There are about 60 appellations within the Wine of
Origin (WO) system, which was implemented in 1973
with a hierarchy of designated production regions,
districts and wards. WO wines must be made 100%
from grapes from the designated area. "Single
vineyard" wines must come from a defined area of
less than 5 hectares. An "Estate Wine" can come from
adjacent farms, as long as they are farmed together
and wine is produced on site. A ward is an area with a
distinctive soil type and/or climate, and is roughly
equivalent to a European appellation.

Grape varieties in South Africa are known
as cultivar, with many common international
varieties developing local synonyms that still have
a strong tradition of use. These include Chenin
blanc (Steen), Riesling (known locally as Weisser
Riesling), Crouchen (known as Cape
Riesling), Palomino (the grape of the Spanish
wine Sherry known locally as "White
French"), Trebbiano (Ugni
Blanc), Sémillon (Groendruif) and Muscat of
Alexandria (Hanepoot). However, wines that are
often exported overseas will usually have the more
internationally recognized name appear on the wine
label.
GRAPE VARIETIES

In 2006, SAWIS (South African Wine Information and
Systems) reported that the country had 100,146 hectares
of vineyards, with about 55 percent planted to white
varieties. Chenin blanc has long been the most widely
planted variety, still accounting for at least one-fifth of
all grape varieties planted in South Africa as of 2004
though that number is decreasing. In the 1980s and
1990s, interest in international varieties saw increase in
plantings of Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. Other
white grape varieties with significant plantings
include Colombard (spelled locally as Colombar), Cape
Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Hannepoot, Muscat Blanc à
Petits Grains, Riesling and Sémillon. Both red and white
mutants of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains as well
as Chenel and Weldra, two Chenin blanc-Ugni
blanc crossings, are used for brandy distillation and
fortified wine production.

Since the 1990s, interest and plantings of red grape varieties have
been steadily on the rise. In the late 1990s, less than 18% of all the
grapes grown in South Africa were red. By 2003 that number has
risen to 40% and was still trending upwards. For most of the 21st
century, the high yielding Cinsaut was the most widely planted red
grape variety but the shift in focus to quality wine production has
saw plantings of the grape steadily decline to where it represented
just 3% of all South Africa vineyards in 2004. In its place Cabernet
Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinotage have risen to prominence with
Cabernet Sauvignon being the most widely red grape variety
covering 13% of all plantings in 2006. Other red grape varieties found
in South Africa include Carignan, Gamay (often made in the style
of Beaujolais wine with carbonic maceration, Grenache, Pontac, Ruby
Cabernet, Tinta Barroca and Zinfandel.
There is a wide range of lesser known groups that are used to feed
the country's still robust distilled spirits and fortified wine industry.
These grapes usually produce bland, neutral wine that lends itself
well to blending and distillation but is rarely seen
as varietal bottlings. These include Belies, False
Pedro, Kanaän, Raisin blanc, Sultana and Servan.

Grape Vineyards
Chenin Blanc
18.7%
Cabernet Sauvignon
13.1%
Colombard
11.4%
Shiraz
9.6%
Sauvignon Blanc
8.2%
Chardonnay
8.0%
Merlot
6.7%
Pinotage
6.2%

Vineyard in the Paarl ward of Franschhoek

Some South African wines and cheeses

SOUTH AFRICAN WINE REGIONS
CONSTANTIA: It is the historic hub of Cape wine. Closest to
Cape Town, it boasts some of the most famous estate names
such as Groot and Klein Constantia, and Buitenverwachting.
On premium terroir and in ideal climatic conditions, superb
sauvignon blanc and semillon wines are produced
DURBANVILLE: and its hills northeast of Cape Town have a
winemaking history dating back 280 years. Some star
performers are emerging, including brilliant sauvignon blancs
with strong contemporary focus on shiraz and merlot.
Durbanville Hills is a large, modern facility and Nitida a small
boutique set-up.

FRANSCHHOEK: lies in a contained valley, a pretty town
founded by the French Huguenots in 1688. Today it is very
much a boutique region with old buildings, restaurants and
small producers. Stylish cellars include La Motte, Cabrière,
Plaisir de Merle and Boekenhoutskloof.
KLEIN KAROO: is a semi-desert region inland that has
inspired some winemakers to take up the challenge.
Fortified wines such as muscadels and Portuguese “port”
styles do well in places such as Calitzdorp.

OLIFANTS RIVER is a fast-growing region stretching a few
hundred kilometres up the west coast from the Cape. Plenty
of exported easy-drinking wines come from here. The
Vredendal Winery is one of the largest in the world,
employing some of the most modern techniques.
ORANGE RIVER is one of Africa’s great rivers and along its
Northern Cape bank lie large white-wine producing
vineyards. Winemaking is sophisticated and reds are getting
more attention with an eye to exports.

PAARL is another of the Cape’s historic towns where
wine has been made for centuries. Home to the original
KWV head office and its impressive Cathedral Cellar, as
well as the country’s best-known brand Nederburg,
many cellars, small and large, from boutique to co-
operative, produce wine from the ordinary to the
sensational. Winemakers have been concentrating on
shiraz, but some fine chenin blanc, pinotage, cabernet
sauvignon, blends, and even unusual varieties such as
viognier and mourvèdre are turned into prize-winning
wines. Glen Carlou, Villiera and the value-for-money co-
operative Boland Kelders are among the top performers
here.

ROBERTSON and a few other villages lie along a fertile, if
warm, valley where white wines such as chardonnay (from De
Wetshof Estate) and sparkling wine (from Graham Beck
Winery) used to be the main stars. Today the move is to red
varieties, especially shiraz (Zandvliet).

STELLENBOSCH is, in the minds of many, the finest wine
area in South Africa, claiming the crown for reds. With a
list of more than 80 wineries and producers, it is also the
most expensive wine farmland. Nearly all the most famous
international names in South African wines are found here
in an area reaching from sea-facing slopes to valley-
hugging hills. This is the home of Kanonkop, Meerlust,
Rustenberg, Thelema and Warwick. The list is endless.
This is also where Distell, the country’s largest player in
the drinks market, is seated. Designated wards within the
district are Jonkershoek Valley, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch,
Bottelary, Devon Valley and Papegaaiberg. Cabernet
sauvignon, merlot, pinotage and chenin blanc are the
stars here.

SWARTLAND means “black country”, a traditional sunny
wheat area north of Cape Town. These days, wineries are
making modern, well-appreciated white wines here with top
reds on the way. The Darling region especially is on the roll.
WALKER BAY near the coastal town of Hermanus has
become another of the Cape’s most fashionable regions. With
Elgin to the west and Bot River inland, it falls under the
Overberg appellation. It is the home of Cape pinot noir and
good chardonnay and home to places like Hamilton-Russell.
WORCESTER and surrounds comprise 20% of all South
Africa’s vineyards. Brandy is produced, and wine for
wholesalers. Small volumes are bottled under own labels.
Value-for-money is a hallmark.

California wine is wine made in the U.S. state of California. Nearly
three-quarters the size of France, California accounts for nearly 90
percent of entire American wine production. The production in
California alone is one third larger than that of Australia. If California
were a separate country, it would be the world's fourth-largest wine
producer.
The state's viticultural history dates back to the 18th century
when Spanish missionaries planted the first vineyards to produce
wine for Mass.
Following a wine renaissance in the mid-20th century, Californian
wine entered the international stage at the 1976 Judgment of
Paris wine competition when Californian wines beat out French
wines in both red and white wine categories.
Today there are more than 1,200 wineries in the state, ranging from
small boutique wineries to large corporations like E & J Gallo
Winery with distribution across the globe.

GRAPES & WINES OF CALIFORNIA
Over a hundred grape varieties are grown in California
including French, Italian and Spanish wine varietals as well as hybrid
grapes and new vitis vinifera varieties developed at the UC Davis
Department of Viticulture and Enology. The seven leading grape varieties
are:
 Cabernet Sauvignon
 Chardonnay
 Merlot
 Pinot noir
 Sauvignon blanc
 Syrah
 Zinfandel
Other important red wine grapes include Barbera, Cabernet franc,
Carignane, Grenache, Malbec, Mouvedre, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and
Sangiovese. Important white wine varietals include Chenin blanc, French
Colombard, Gewürztraminer, Marsanne, Muscat Canelli, Pinot
blanc, Pinot gris, Riesling, Roussane, Sémillon,Trousseau gris,
and Viognier.

New World wine styles
While Californian winemakers increasingly craft wines in more "Old World"
or European wine styles, most Californian wines (along with Australia, New
Zealand, Chile and Argentina) favor simpler, more fruit dominant New
World wines. The reliably warm weather allows many wineries to use very
ripe fruit which brings up a more fruit forward rather than earthy or
mineralic style of wine. It also creates the opportunity for higher alcohol
levels with many Californian wines having over 13.5%. The style of
Californian Chardonnay differs greatly from wines like Chablis with
Californian winemakers frequently using malolactic
fermentation and oak aging to make buttery, full bodied wines. Californian
Sauvignon blancs are not as herbaceous as wines from the Loire
Valley or New Zealand but do have racy acidity and fresh, floral notes.
Some Sauvignon blanc are given time in oak which can dramatically
change the profile of the wine. Robert Mondavi first pioneered this style as
a Fume blanc which other Californian winemakers have adopted. However,
that style is not strictly defined to mean an oak wine.

SPARKLING & DESSERT WINES
California sparkling wine traces its roots to Sonoma in the
1880s with the founding of Korbel Champagne Cellars. The
Korbel brothers made sparkling wine according to
the méthode champenoise from
Riesling, Chasselas, Muscatel and Traminer. Today most
California sparkling wine is largely made from the same
grapes used in Champagne-Chardonnay, Pinot noir and
some Pinot meunier. Some wineries will also use Pinot
blanc, Chenin blanc and French Colombard. The premium
quality producers still use the méthode champenoise (or
traditional method) while some low cost producers, like
Gallo's Andre brand or Constellation Brands' Cook's, will use
the Charmat method

WINE REGIONS OF CALIFORNIA
California has over 427,000 acres (1,730 km2) planted under vines
mostly located in a stretch of land covering over 700 miles (1,100 km)
from Mendocino County to the southwestern tip of Riverside County.
There are over 107 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), including the
well known Napa, Russian River Valley, Rutherford and Sonoma Valley
AVAs. The Central Valley is California's largest wine region stretching
for 300 miles (480 km) from the Sacramento Valley south to the San
Joaquin Valley. This one region produces nearly 75% of all California
wine grapes and includes many of California's bulk, box and jug
wine producers like Gallo, Franzia and Bronco Wine Company.
The wine regions of California are often divided into 4 main regions-

North Coast - Includes most of North Coast, California, north of San
Francisco Bay. The large North Coast AVA covers most of the region.
Notable wine regions include Napa Valley and Sonoma County and the
smaller sub AVAs within them. Mendocino and Lake County are also
part of this region.
Central Coast - Includes most of the Central Coast of California and the
area south and west of San Francisco Bay down to Santa Barbara
County. The large Central Coast AVA covers the region. Notable wine
regions in this area include Santa Clara Valley AVA,Santa Cruz
Mountains AVA, San Lucas AVA, Paso Robles AVA, Santa Maria Valley
AVA, Santa Ynez Valley and Livermore Valley AVA.
South Coast - Includes portion of Southern California, namely the
coastal regions south of Los Angeles down to the border with Mexico.
Notable wine regions in this area include Temecula Valley AVA, Antelope
Valley/Leona Valley AVA, San Pasqual Valley AVA and Ramona Valley
AVA.
Central Valley - Includes California's Central Valley and the Sierra
Foothills AVA. Notable wine regions in this area include the Lodi AVA.

The Australian wine industry is the fourth-largest exporter in
the world, exporting over 400 million litres a year to a large
international export market that includes "old world" wine-
producing countries such as France, Italy and Spain. There is
also a significant domestic market for Australian wines, with
Australians consuming over 400 million litres of wine per
year. The wine industry is a significant contributor to
the Australian economy through production, employment,
export and tourism.
McWilliams winery
near Griffith in the
Riverina wine region

Major grape varieties are Shiraz, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Riesling.
The country has no native grapes, and Vitis vinifera varieties were
introduced from Europe and South Africa in the late 18th and early 19th
centuries. Some varieties have been bred by Australian viticulturalists, for
example Cienna and Tarrango.
Although Syrah was originally called Shiraz in Australia and Syrah
elsewhere, its dramatic commercial success has led many Syrah
producers around the world to label their wine "Shiraz".
About 130 different grape varieties are used by commercial winemakers in
Australia. Over recent years many winemakers have begun exploring so
called "alternative varieties" other than those listed above. Many varieties
from France, Italy and Spain for example Petit Verdot, Pinot
Grigio, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Viognier are becoming more
common. Wines from many other varieties are being produced.

RED WHITE
SHIRAZ CHARDONNAY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON SEMILLON
MERLOT SAUVIGNON BLANC
PINOT NOIR RIESLING
GRENACHE
MOURVEDRE

Barossa Valley: The Barossa Valley is north east of Adelaide,
South Australia, and has a hot climate. Penfolds is one of the
more famous wineries in this region. Barossa is renowned for its
Rieslings which is indicative of the Valley's German heritage, and
for the reds such as Shiraz and Cabernets.
Hunter Valley: The Hunter Valley is another hot area and is
located north of Sydney, New South Wales. This area is within
easy reach of Sydney for a day trip or you can stay overnight at
one of the many bed and breakfasts. Some of the more notable
vineyards include Rosemount, and Rothbury. A variety of wines
are grown in the Hunter Valley, including Shiraz and Semillon. As
well as visiting the larger vineyards, you will want to check out
some of the smaller boutique wines.

Clare Valley: The Clare Valley is a cooler growing area located in
South Australia, north of Adelaide. This is an area of four
interconnecting valleys, the Clare, Polish River, Watervale and
Skillogallee. The main wines from the Clare Valley are the whites
such as Riesling, Chardonnay and Semillon.
Coonawarra: Coonawarra lies to the south east of Adelaide and
is more noted for it's reds such as Shiraz and Cabernet
Sauvignon. The area has a cooler climate and is also noted for is
reddish coloured terra rossa soil. Penfolds grows some its grapes
here for some of its Cabernets. One of the more popular wines
from this region includes the Wynns Coonawarra Estate.
Yarra Valley: The Yarra Valley is located in Victoria, north east of
Melbourne. It has a temperate climate and is noted for making the
cooler climate varietals. The Pinot Noir is popular here and one of
the better wines that we have tried from this area is Coldsteam
Hills.

Eden Valley: is a small South Australian town in the Barossa
Ranges. It was named by the surveyors of the area after they
found the word "Eden" carved into a tree. Eden Valley has an
elevation of 460 metres and an average annual rainfall of
716.2mm.Eden Valley gives its name to a wine growing
region that shares its western boundary with the Barossa Valley.
The region is of similar size to the Barossa Valley, and is well
known for producing high quality riesling and shiraz wines.
Englishman Joseph Gilbert planted the first Eden Valley
vineyard, Pewsey Vale, in 1847. Within the Eden Valley region
there is a sub-region called High Eden which is located higher in
the Barossa Ranges, giving cooler temperatures.
Pyrenees: The Pyrenees ranges are located
in Victoria, Australia near the town of Avoca. It is a wine growing
region. The altitude of the ranges is 220-375 m (722-1230 ft).
Wines were first planted in the region in 1848. In recent years it is
recognized as a significant producer of full-bodied red wines
based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grape varieties.

Grampians: The Grampians is an Australian wine region located
in the state of Victoria, west of Melbourne. It is located near
the Grampians National Park and the Pyrenees hills. The area is
dominated by red wine production,
particularly Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Henty is a town in south western Victoria, Australia. The town is
located in the Shire of Glenelg Local Government Area,
373 kilometres (232 mi) west of the state capital, Melbourne.
It is also an Australian wine region. It has one of the cooler
climates of any Australian wine region and is known for its white
wine production of Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon and Sauvignon
blanc as well as a small red wine production of Pinot noir.
Henty Post Office opened on 16 April 1885 and closed in 1977.

Portuguese wine is the result of traditions introduced to the
region by ancient civilizations, such as
the Phoenicians,Carthaginians, Greeks, and mostly
the Romans. Portugal started to export its wines to Rome
during the Roman Empire. Modern exports developed with
trade to England after the Methuen Treaty in 1703. From this
commerce a wide variety of wines started to be grown in
Portugal. And, in 1758, the first wine-producing region of the
world, the Região Demarcada do Douro was created under
the orientation of Marquis of Pombal, in the Douro Valley.
Portugal has two wine producing regions protected by
UNESCO asWorld Heritage: the Douro Valley Wine Region
(Douro Vinhateiro) and Pico Island Wine Region (Ilha do Pico
Vinhateira). Portugal has a large variety of native breeds,
producing a very wide variety of different wines with distinctive
personality.

Portugal possesses a large array of native varietals, producing an
abundant variety of different wines. The wide array of Portuguese
grape varietals contributes as significantly as the soil and climate
to wine differentiation, producing distinctive wines from the
Northern regions to Madeira Islands, and from Algarve to
the Azores. In Portugal only some grape varietals or castas are
authorized or endorsed in the Demarcated regions, such as:

Vinhos Verdes - White castas Alvarinho, Arinto
(Pedern),Avesso, Azal, Batoca, Loureiro, Trajadura; red
castas Amaral,Borraçal, Alvarelhão, Espadeiro, Padeiro, Pedral, Rabo de Anho, Vinhão.
Porto/Douro - Red castas Touriga Nacional, Tinta
Amarela, Aragonez, Bastardo, Castelão, Cornifesto, Donzelinho Tinto,Malvasia
Preta, Marufo, Rufete, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Francisca Tinto Cão, Touriga Franca; white
castas Arinto, Cercial,Donzelinho Branco, Folgazão, Gouveio, Malvasia Fina, Moscatel Galego
Branco, Rabigato, Samarrinho, Semillon, Sercial,Roupeiro, Verdelho, Viosinho, Vital.
Dão - Red castas Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Aragonez, Jaen e Rufete; White
castas Encruzado, Bical, Cercial, Malvasia Fina, Verdelho.
Bairrada - Red casts Baga, Alfrocheiro, Camarate, Castelão, Jaen, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez;
white castas Maria Gomes, Arinto, Bical, Cercial, Rabo de Ovelha, Verdelho.
Bucelas - White castas Arinto, Sercial e Rabo de Ovelha.
Colares - Red casta Ramisco; White casta Malvasia
Carcavelos - Red castas Castelão and Preto Martinho; White castas Galego Dourado, Ratinho,
Arinto.
Setúbal - Red casta Moscatel Roxo; white casta Moscatel de Setúbal.
Alentejo - Red castas Alfrocheiro, Aragonez, Periquita1, Tinta Caiada, Trincadeira, Alicante
Bouschet, Moreto; White castas Antão Vaz, Arinto , Fernão Pires, Rabo de Ovelha,Roupeiro
Algarve - Red castas Negra Mole, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez , Periquita; White
castas Arinto, Roupeiro, Manteúdo, Moscatel Graúdo, Perrum, Rabo de Ovelha.
Madeira - Red castas Bastardo, Tinta, Malvasia Cândida Roxa, Verdelho Tinto e Tinta Negra; white
castas Sercial, Malvasia Fina (Boal), Malvasia Cândida, Folgasão (Terrantez), Verdelho

The traditional rebelo boat, used to transport Port Wine from the Douro
Valley to the cellars near the city of Porto.

The appellation system of the Douro region was created nearly two hundred
years before that of France, in order to protect its superior wines from inferior
ones. The quality and great variety of wines in Portugal are due to noble
castas, microclimates, soils and proper technology.
Official designations:
APPELLATION SYSTEM
 Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region (QWPSR) or VQPRD - Vinho de
Qualidade Produzido em Região Demarcada
 These are the most protected wine and indicates a specific vineyard, such
as Port Wine, Vinhos Verdes, and Alentejo Wines. These wines are labeled
D.O.C. (Denominação de Origem Controlada) which secures a superior
quality.
 Wines that have more regulations placed upon them but are not in a DOC
region fall under the category of Indicação de Proveniência
Regulamentada (IPR, Indication of Regulated Provenance)
 Regional Wine - Vinho Regional Carries with it a specific region within
Portugal.
 Table Wines - Vinho de Mesa carries with it only the producer and the
designation that it's from Portugal.

Vineyards in Vinho Verde Demarcated Region
in Minho, Portugal

WINE REGIONS
Vinho Verde is produced from grapes which do not reach great doses of sugar.
Therefore, Vinho Verde does not require an aging process. Vinho Verde wines are now
largely exported, and are the most exported Portuguese wines after the Port Wine. The
most popular variety in Portugal and abroad are the white wines, but there are also red
and more rarely rosé wines. A notable variety of Vinho Verde is Vinho Alvarinho which is
a special variety of white Vinho Verde, the production of Alvarinho is restricted by EU law
to a small sub-region of Monção, in the northern part of the Minho region in Portugal. It
has more alcohol (11.5 to 13%) than the other varieties (8 to 11.5%).
Douro wine (Vinho do Douro) originates from the same region as port wines. In the
past they were considered to be a bitter tasting wine. In order to prevent spoilage during
the voyage from Portugal to England, the English decided to add a Portuguese wine
brandy known as aguardente. The first documented commercial transactions appearing
in registries of export date as far back as 1679. Today's Douro table wines are enjoying
growing favor in the world, maintaining many traits that are reminiscent of a port wine.
Dão wine is from the Região Demarcada do Dão, a region demarcated in 1908, but
already in 1390 there were taken some measures to protect this wine. The Dão Wine is
produced in a mountainous region with temperate climate, in the area of
the Mondego and Dão Rivers in the north region of central Portugal. These mountains
protect the castas from maritime and continental influences

Dão wine is from the Região Demarcada do Dão, a region demarcated in 1908, but
already in 1390 there were taken some measures to protect this wine. The Dão
Wine is produced in a mountainous region with temperate climate, in the area of
the Mondego and Dão Rivers in the north region of central Portugal. These
mountains protect the castas from maritime and continental influences
.
Bairrada wine, is produced in the Região Demarcada da Bairrada. The name
"Bairrada" is from "barros" (clay) and due to the clayey soils of the region. Although
the region was classified in 1979, it is an ancient vineyard region. The vines grow
exposed to the sun, favouring the further maturity of the grapes. The Baga casta is
intensely used in the wines of the region. The Bairrada region produces table, white
and red wines. Yet, it is notable for its sparkling natural wine: the "Conde de
Cantanhede" and "Marquês de Marialva" are the official brands for this wine.
Alentejo wine is produced from grapes planted in vast vineyards extending over
rolling plains under the sun which shines on the grapes and ripens them for the
production.
Colares wine is type of wine produced in sandy soils outside Lisbon between the
foothills of Sintra and Roca Cape. Because of Lisbon's urban sprawl, the lands
available for vineyards became so small, that the demands has always been higher
than the production, making it one of the most expensive Portuguese wines

PORTUGUESE WINE TERMS
Adega: Winery
Branco: White
Casta: Grape variety
Colheita: Vintage year
Espumante: Sparkling wine
Garrafeira: A reserva red wine aged at least two years in a barrel and one
year in a bottle; a white wine aged at least six months in a barrel and six
months in a bottle.
Maduro: mature (in opposition to verde). Mature wines are Portuguese
wines produced in all regions except the ones produced in Vinho Verde
region, due to that, the term "maduro" rarely appears on bottles.
Quinta: Vineyard
Reserva: Superior quality wine of a single vintage
Seco: Dry
Tinto: Red
Verde: green (in opposition to maduro). Wines produced in Vinho Verde
region with a distinctive method.
Vinho: Wine

Spanish wines are wines produced in the southwestern European country
of Spain. Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain has over 2.9
million acres (over 1.17 million hectares) planted—making it the most
widely planted wine producing nation but it is only the third largest producer
of wine in the world, the largest being Italy and France. This is due, in part,
to the very low yields and wide spacing of the old vines planted on the dry,
infertile soil found in many Spanish wine regions. The country is ninth in
worldwide consumptions with Spaniards drinking, on average,
10.06 gallons (38 liters) a year. The country has an abundance of
native grape varieties, with over 600 varieties planted throughout Spain
though 80 percent of the country's wine production is from only 20
grapes—
including Tempranillo, Albariño, Garnacha, Palomino, Airen, Macabeo, Pare
llada, Xarel·lo, Cariñena and Monastrell. Major Spanish wine regions
include the Rioja and Ribera del Duero which is known for their Tempranillo
production; Jerez, the home of the fortified wine Sherry; Rías Baixas in the
northwest region of Galicia that is known for its white wines made from
Albariño and Catalonia which includes the Cava and still wine producing
regions of the Penedès as well the Priorat region.

CLASSIFICATION OF SPANISH WINES
Vino de Mesa (VdM) - These are wines that are the equivalent of most country's table
wines and are made from unclassified vineyards or grapes that have been declassified
through "illegal" blending. Similar to the Italian Super Tuscans from the late 20th century,
some Spanish winemakers will intentionally declassify their wines so that they have greater
flexibility in blending and winemaking methods.
Vinos de la Tierra (VdlT) - This level is similar to France's vin de pays system, normally
corresponding to the larger comunidad autonóma geographical regions and will appear on
the label with these broader geographical designations like Andalucia, Castilla La
Mancha and Levante.
Vino de Calidad Producido en Región Determinada (VCPRD) - This level is similar to
France's Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS) system and is considered a stepping
stone towards DO status.
Denominación de Origen (Denominació d'Origen in Catalan - DO)- This level is for the
mainstream quality-wine regions which are regulated by the Consejo Regulador who is also
responsible for marketing the wines of that DO. In 2005, nearly two thirds of the total vineyard
area in Spain was within the boundaries a DO region.
Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa/DOQ - Denominació d'Origen Qualificada in
Catalan)- This designation, which is similar to Italy's Denominazione di Origine Controllata e
Garantita (DOCG) designation, is for regions with a track record of consistent quality and is
meant to be a step above DO level. Rioja was the first region afforded this designation in
1991 and was followed by Priorat in 2003, and Ribera del Duero in 2008.
Additionally there is the Denominación de Pago (DO de Pago) designation for individual
single-estates with an international reputation. As of 2009, there were 9 estates with this
status.

SPANISH WINE LABELLING LAWS
Crianza red wines are aged for 2 years with at least 6 months in
oak. Crianza whites and rosés must be aged for at least 1 year
with at least 6 months in oak.
Reserva red wines are aged for at least 3 years with at least 1
year in oak. Reserva whites and rosés must be aged for at least 2
years with at least 6 months in oak.
Gran Reserva wines typically appear in above average vintages
with the red wines requiring at least 5 years ageing, 18 months of
which in oak.Gran Reserva whites and rosés must be aged for at
least 4 years with at least 6 months in oak.

Tempranillo is the second most widely planted grape
in Spain and is an important grape in the Rioja, Ribera
del Duero and Penedès regions.

 VALDEORRAS
 TORO
 CAMPO DE BORJA
 LA MANCHA
 VALDEPENAS
 RIOJA

 RIAS BAJAS
 RIBIERO
 RUEDA
 LA MANCHA
 VALENCIA

• Andalusia
• Aragon
• Balearic Islands
• Canary Islands
• Castile and León
• Castile-La Mancha
• Catalonia
• Estremadura
• Galicia
• Madrid
• Valencia

WINE PRODUCING REGIONS OF SPAIN
Carinena
Condado de Heulva
Jerez-Xeres
La Mancha
Malaga
Montilla Miriles
Navarra
Penedes
Ribiero
Valdepenas

India has forever remained a land of dichotomies. It has always
perceived a notion in almost two totally paradoxical perspectives.
And wine or liquor is no exception to this rule. When on one hand
it was a drink of festivities; it was also considered a forbidden
affair for the society at large. Drink was considered as a ‘Taamasi’
food that is always subject to repudiation as it only results in bad
thoughts and behaviour. But it was never shunned completely and
pervaded every spatial and temporal dimension.
Since the very inception Indians had the native familiarity with
Wine. This becomes apparent with the artifacts found at the sites
of Harappan Civilization. During the Vedic period wine was often
referred to as Somarasa; it was believed to be associated with
Indra, and was a part of religious festivals. Soma is mentioned in
Vedic scriptures as well. Also the reference of Drakshasava is
found in ayurvedic texts which was basically a delicious digestive
preparation made from ripened red grapes, cinnamon, cardamom,
nagkesara, vidanga, tejpatra, pippali, and black pepper and
contained natural alcohol.

Indian wine is wine made in the Asian country of India. Viticulture in
India has a long history dating back to the time of the Indus Valley
civilization when grapevines were believed to have been introduced
from Persia. Winemaking has existed throughout most of India's
history but was particularly encouraged during the time of
the Portuguese and British colonization of the subcontinent. The end
of the 19th century saw the phylloxera louse take its toll on the Indian
wine industry followed by religious and public opinion moving
towards the prohibition of alcohol. Following the
country's independence from the British Empire, the Constitution of
India declared that one of the government's aims was the total
prohibition of alcohol. Several states went dry and the government
encouraged vineyards to convert to table grape and raisin production.
In the 1980s and 1990s, a revival in the Indian wine industry took
place as international influences and the growing middle
class increased started increasing demand for the beverage. By the
turn of the 21st century, demand was increasing at a rate of 20-30%
a year.

WINE REGIONS
Vineyards in India range from the more temperate climate of
the northwestern state of Punjab down to the southern state
of Tamil Nadu. Some of India's larger wine producing areas are
located in Maharashtra, Karnataka near Bangalore and Andhra
Pradesh near Hyderabad. Within the Maharashtra region,
vineyards are found on the Deccan Plateau and around
Baramati, Nashik, Pune, Sangli and Solapur. The high heat
and humidity of the far eastern half of the country limits
viticultural activity.

Variety Area (ha) Production (t)
Anab-e-Shahi (white, seeded) 3,000 135,000
Bangalore Blue Syn. Isabella (black, seeded) 4,500 180,000
Bhokri (white, seeded) 500 15,000
Flame Seedless (red, seedless) 500 10,000
Gulabi Syn. Muscat Hamburg (purple, seeded) 1,000 30,000
Perlette (white, seedless) 1,500 60,000
Sharad Seedless - A mutant of Kishmish Chorni (black,
seedless)
1,000 20,000

MAJOR
WINERIES
IN
INDIA
SULA WINES
CHATEAU INDAGE
GROVERS
VINSURA WINES
SANKALP WINES
RENAISSANCE WINES
ND WINES
VINICOLA
VINTAGE WINES
MANDALA WINES
FLAMINGO WINES
FOUR SEASONS WINES

Fortified wine is wine to which a distilled
beverage (usually brandy) has been added. When added to
wine before the fermentation process is complete, the alcohol in
the distilled beverage kills the yeast and leaves residual
sugar behind. The end result is a wine that is both sweeter and
stronger, normally containing about 20% alcohol by
volume (ABV). The original reason for fortifying wine was to
preserve it, since ethanol is a natural antiseptic. Even though
other preservation methods exist, fortification continues to be
used because the fortification process can add distinct flavors to
the finished project.
Fortified wine is distinguished from spirits made from wine in
that spirits are produced by means of distillation, while fortified
wine is simply wine that has had a spirit added to it. Many
different styles of fortified wine have been developed,
including port, sherry, madeira, marsala, and vermouth.

Although grape brandy is most commonly added to produce fortified
wines, the additional alcohol may also be neutral spirit that has been
distilled from grapes, grain, sugar beets, or sugarcane.
Regional appellation laws may dictate the types of spirit that are
permitted for fortification.
The source of the additional alcohol and the method of its distillation can
affect the flavor of the fortified wine. If neutral spirit is used, it will usually
have been produced with a continuous still, rather than a pot still.
During the fermentation process, yeast cells in the must continue to
convert sugar into alcohol until the must reaches an alcohol level of
16%–18%. At this level, the alcohol becomes toxic to the yeast and kills
it. If fermentation is allowed to run to completion, the resulting wine will
(in most cases) be low in sugar and will be considered a dry wine. The
earlier in the fermentation process that alcohol is added, the sweeter the
resulting wine will be. For drier fortified wine styles, such as sherry, the
alcohol is added shortly before or after the end of the fermentation.
In the case of some fortified wine styles (such as late
harvest and botrytized wine), a naturally high level of sugar will inhibit
the yeast. This causes fermentation to stop before the wine can become
dry.

MISTELLE
Mistelle (sifone in Italian, mistela in Spanish) is
sometimes used as an ingredient in fortified wines,
particularly Vermouth, Marsala and Sherry, though it
is used mainly as a base for apéritifs such as the
French Pineau des Charentes, It is produced by
adding alcohol to non-fermented or
partially fermented grape juice. The addition of
alcohol stops the fermentation and, as a
consequence Mistelle is sweeter than fully
fermented grape juice in which the sugars turn to
alcohol.

Port wine (also known as Vinho do Porto, Porto, and
often simply Port) is a Portuguese style of fortified
wine originating from the Douro Valley in the northern
provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet red wine, often
served as a dessert wine, and also comes in dry, semi-dry
and white varieties. Fortified wines in the style of port are
also produced outside of Portugal, most notably in
Australia, South Africa, Canada, India, Argentina and the
United States. Under European Union guidelines, only the
product from Portugal may be labeled as Port. Elsewhere,
the situation is more complicated: wines labelled "Port"
may come from anywhere in the world, while the names
"Dao", "Oporto", "Porto", and "Vinho do Porto" have been
recognized as foreign, non-generic names for wines
originating in Portugal.

Port is produced from grapes grown and processed in the
demarcated Douro region. The wine produced is then fortified
by the addition of a neutral grape spirit known as Aguardente in
order to stop the fermentation, leaving residual sugar in the
wine, and to boost the alcohol content. The fortification spirit is
sometimes referred to as Brandy but it bears little resemblance
to commercial Brandies. The wine is then stored and aged,
often in barrels stored in "caves" (pronounced "ka-vess" and
meaning "cellars" in Portuguese) as is the case in Vila Nova de
Gaia, before being bottled. The wine received its name, "Port",
in the latter half of the 17th century from the seaport city
of Porto at the mouth of the Douro River, where much of the
product was brought to market or for export to other countries in
Europe. The Douro valley where Port wine is produced was
defined and established as a protected region, or appellation in
1756 — making it the third oldest defined and protected wine
region in the world after Chianti (1716) and Tokaji (1730).

GRAPE VARIETIES
Over a hundred varieties of grapes (castas) are
sanctioned for Port production, although only five
(Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão, Tinta Roriz
(Tempranillo), Touriga Francesa, and Touriga
Nacional) are widely cultivated and
used. Although Touriga Nacional is the most
celebrated Port grape, the difficulty of growing it and
its small yields result in Touriga Francesa being the
most widely-planted variety within the Douro. White
ports are produced the same way as red ports,
except that they use white grapes—Esgana-
Cão, Folgasão, Malvasia, Rabigato,Verdelho,
and Viosinho.

STYLES OF PORT
Port from Portugal comes in several styles, which can be divided into
two broad categories:
Wines that have matured in sealed glass bottles, with no exposure to
air, and experience what is known as "reductive" aging. This process
leads to the wine losing its colour very slowly and produces a wine
which is smoother on the palate and less tannic.
Wines that have matured in wooden barrels, whose permeability
allows a small amount of exposure to oxygen, and experience what is
known as "oxidative" aging. They too lose colour, but at a faster
pace. If red grapes are used, in time the red colour lightens to a
tawny colour - these are known as Tawny (or sometimes Wood)
ports. They also lose volume to evaporation (angel's share), leaving
behind a wine that is slightly more viscous and intense.
The IVDP (Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto) further divides Port
into two categories: normal Ports (standard Rubies, Tawnies and
White Ports) and Categorias Especiais, Special Categories, which
includes everything else.

TYPES OF PORT
WOOD AGED PORTS: BOTTLE AGED PORTS:
TAWNY
COLHEITA
GARRAFEIRA
RUBY
VINTAGE
PINK
WHITE
LBV

Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are
grown near the town of Jerez, Spain. In Spanish, it is
called vino de Jerez.
The word "sherry" is an anglicization of Jerez. In earlier
times, Sherry was known as sack (from the Spanish saca,
meaning "a removal from the solera"). "Sherry" is
a protected designation of origin; therefore, all wine labeled
as "Sherry" must legally come from the Sherry Triangle.
After fermentation is complete, Sherry is fortified
with brandy. Because the fortification takes place after
fermentation, most sherries are initially dry, with any
sweetness being added later. In contrast, port wine (for
example) is fortified halfway through its fermentation, which
stops the process so that not all of the sugar is turned into
alcohol.

The aging of sherry takes place in one of two ways:
 BIOLOGICAL AGING: The sherry ages in contact with a
film of yeast (Flor) that changes the characterstics of the
wine be metabolising elements within the wine and
controlling the rate of oxidation.
 PHYSIO-CHEMICAL AGING: The sherry is in direct contact
with air and its immediate oxidising effects.

PRODUCTION OF SHERRY:
1. Pressing
2. Acidification
3. Settling (debourbage)
4. Fermentation
5. Classification (Fino/olorosso)
6. Fortification (fino-15% / olorosso-18%)
7. Aging Finos: Biological Aging
Olorosso: Physio-chemical Aging
8. Solera
9. Working on the scales
10. Blending
11. Finishing: addition of sweetener

# Fino ('fine' in Spanish) is the driest and palest of the traditional varieties of
Sherry. The wine is aged in barrels under a cap of flor yeast to prevent
contact with the air.
# Manzanilla is an especially light variety of fino Sherry made around the
port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
# Amontillado is a variety of Sherry that is first aged under flor but which is
then exposed to oxygen, producing a sherry that is darker than a fino but
lighter than an oloroso. Naturally dry, they are sometimes sold lightly
sweetened.
# Oloroso ('scented' in Spanish) is a variety of Sherry aged oxidatively for a
longer time than a fino or amontillado, producing a darker and richer wine.
With alcohol levels between 18-20%, olorosos are the most alcoholic
sherries in the bottle. Again naturally dry, they are often also sold in
sweetened versions.
# Palo Cortado is a rare variety of Sherry that is initially aged like an
amontillado, but which subsequently develops a character closer to an
oloroso.
# Sweet Sherries (Jerez Dulce in Spanish) are made either by fermenting
dried Pedro Ximénez or Moscatel grapes, which produces an intensely
sweet dark brown or black wine, or by blending sweeter wines or grape
must with a drier variety. Cream Sherry is a common type of sweet Sherry
made by blending different wines

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