The Top Five Best Wine Brands
Masseto
Based in sunny Tuscany, in the Bolgheri region of Italy, Masseto is a cult winery with an iconic vineyard thats known for producing top quality vintages. The brand has received multiple 100-point scores from critics and is notorious for being difficult to get hold of. Production totals around just 30,000 bottles a year and the average bottle costs around $790. The vineyard, which was first founded by Lodovico Antinori in 1981, converted entirely to organic farming in 2012 and keeps climate change at the forefront of its production methods. The brand was a hit from its first release in 1986 and is one of the most well-known and best-performing wineries.
Screaming Eagle
Screaming Eagle Winery and Vineyards is a Californian wine estate and another cult winery. The brand produces the most expensive wines in North America and its Sauvignon Blanc occupies the top spot, with an average sales price of $5,974. In order to buy its wine directly from the brand, buyers must sign up for a waiting list. The average time to wait on this list before being able to buy a bottle is around 12 years. Due to a surge in high-profile counterfeit wine cases, each bottle of Screaming Eagle comes with a bubble-coded security seal. It keeps its doors firmly shut to the public.
Bodega Catena Zapata
Chateau Latour
Heitz Cellar
Winemaking Processes: Fermentation Temperature
Just as making a proper cup of tea requires the proper temperature , wine needs to be fermented at the right temperature too.
As yeasts eat the grape sugars and metabolize them into alcohol, the temperature of the fermentation increases. This increase in temperature causes volatile aromas to burn off and this isnt necessarily a good thing. You can assume, for the most part, that red wines with more floral notes are often fermented at lower temperatures , which means the winemaker was trying their best to preserve these volatile aromas in the fermentation. When temperatures get too high, wines will exhibit less fruit flavors and more earthy or baked flavors. And, while this is not necessarily a bad thing , it suggests that not all the original aromas in the wine were preserved.
NOTE: Youll note a few winemakers using whole clusters of grapes in their fermentation. The inclusions of stems will naturally decrease the temperature of the fermentation.
When the wine is finished fermenting it spends time in a vessel to settle and/or age. Certain aging vessels introduce oxygen which alters the chemical state of the wine and changes the flavors.
After the fermentation is complete, the winemaking still has a ways to go. The choice of aging vessel plays a crucial role in the development of a wine.
What Customers Have To Say
An Amazon shopper remarked that the wine making kit has a fantastic quality, from the bottling to the sanitization. He is convinced there is nothing more a beginner winemaker could ask for. On the other hand, another customer shares that the 6-gallon glass carboy is extremely heavy when filled up and may pose a severe threat to the back. She admits the wine kit is lovely, but that fellow customers must beware of her concern.
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Winemaking Processes: Punchdowns And Pumpovers
Grape skins rise to the surface of the fermentation chamber and a few techniques have been developed to reintegrate them into the wine.
The process of punchdowns and pump overs is to reintegrate grape skins and seeds into the fermenting juice so that the proper levels of phenolic extraction can be made. You could relate this process to stirring the grinds in your french press. Of course, different grape varieties need different levels of extraction to develop positive flavor characteristics . Generally speaking, the Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot do better with higher intensity extraction and lighter varieties do better with more delicate extraction.
Hill Street Beverages Vin
Hill Street Beverages is a Canadian company that produces both non-alcoholic wines and beers, and makes cannabis-infused beverages as well. The collection of wines currently includes five options that many other non-alcoholic winemakers currently offer, including a merlot, chardonnay, sparkling brut blanc, shiraz rosé, and cabernet sauvignon. The wines are called Vin and each have a different style of dancer, vaguely reminiscent of the grape origin, on the label. While not much information is given on how Hill Street dealcoholizes the wines, the website mentions a “proprietary process to remove alcohol.”
This particular brand can sometimes be a little more difficult to lay your hands on here in the states, but can be found for a reasonable price through specialty importers like Better Rhodoes and Boisson, although prices vary widely from one retailer to another. The description of the merlot from Boisson reads, “ven if you’re not a big fan of Merlot, I would still suggest this wine, simply because its so drinkable. It’s intensely red, like the juice squeezed out of a blackberry on to vanilla ice cream. It’s kinda got this curranty thing going on too, but more blackberry, maybe some blueberries in there.” That sounds pretty juicy and luscious to us. For red wine lovers looking for a non-alcoholic option, these are worth a try if you happen to come across a bottle.
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Vineyards To Visit In Languedoc
There are so many great Languedoc vineyards to visit. Here are just a few that we recommend
Château de Flaugergues
Located just outside Montpellier, the magnificent Château de Flaugergues is a wonderful place to begin your Languedoc wine journey, combining the best of viticulture and history all in one visit. The castle was built in the 17th century by Jean Baptise de Colbert, a member of the court of Louis XIV, and is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens that alone justify the visit. Current owners Henri and Brigitte Colbert run excellent tours of the castle, vineyard, and botanic gardens, with a tasting in the atmospheric wine cellars.
Cháteau Camplazens
Château Camplazens is tucked away in the small Mediterranean region of La Clape, part of the stunning Narbonne regional natural park. This vineyard offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about local wines and sample some of the finest La Clape varieties. Whats more, this is a vineyard with a difference the cellar at Château Camplazens has been decorated with murals painted by internationally renowned artist Simon Fletcher, so youll have feast for your eyes as you sample the fruits of this rich earth. Dont miss a trip to the top of the tower for a panoramic view over the beautiful surroundings.
Prieuré Saint Jean de Bébian
Vineyards To Visit In Provence
There are too many fabulous vineyards in Provence to list them all here, but here are a couple you shouldnt miss.
Château La Coste
The award-winning Château La Coste is an excellent option if youre holidaying near Aix-en-Provence. Renowned for its architecture as much as its wine, the estate offers an art & architecture walk that winds around the vineyard, taking around 2 hours to complete. There are also several excellent restaurants where you can relax after your pleasant walk, and an art gallery and bookshop to peruse.
Domaine de lEstagnol
Sandrine Féraud is the 6th in a long line of winemakers in Provence, and has been in charge of the fantastic Domaine de lEstagnol since 2013. This tiny vineyard specialises in prestigious Bandol wines, and uses traditional processes and state-of-the art technology to produce some of the best easy-drinking reds youll find in the region. This know-how has been handed down from mother to daughter over generations, and a trip here is a fantastic way to experience the best of Provençal wine.
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Vasse Felix 2016 Chardonnay
Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2016 Courtesy of Vasse Felix
For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, Chardonnay and Australia are not synonymous. But in one southwestern corner of the country, on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by ocean, sits the Margaret River growing region, ideal for maturing Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes. Winemaker Virginia Willcock makes the most of the areas Mediterranean-like climate on an estate where the regions first commercial vines were planted, in 1967Vasse Felix. The 2016 Chardonnay smells of lemon pie crust and tropical pineapple, with a taste of buttery croissant and nougat on the palate. But it has enough acid to keep it vibrant and zingy. The wine spends nine months on the lees in French oak thats a mix of old and new. Willcock is a passionate proponent of the use of wild, native yeasts in Australian winemaking, and this wine benefits from that innovation, as well as from hand-harvesting and a gentle, whole-cluster press.
The Global Wine Industry
Before I jump into wine tourism and the best wine countries in the world, heres an overview of the industry as a whole:
Wine was first developed over 8,000 years ago in a small village in Georgia . Since then, the art of winemaking has permeated nearly every civilization. From the hills of Tuscany to the land down under in Australia, wine is deeply ingrained in our global society.
According to Zion Market Researchs Global Wine Report, the global wine market was valued at $302.02 billion in 2017. The industry is expected to grow more than $120 billion to $423.59 billion by 2023.
For most of human history, the wine industry and trade was dominated by Europe. However, in recent years, there has been a huge surge in production and consumption in the Americas, particularly in the United States, Argentina, and Chile. Below are the top wine producers and consumers in the world, in millions of hectoliters :
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Visit The Texas Hill Country Ava
Despite over 1 million travelers sampling Texas Hill Country annually, its still one of the wine worlds best-kept secrets. Texas has 3,500 acres of vineyards and 350 bonded wineries, according to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. Texas Hill Country itself has over 250 wineries that are spread throughout the region, which happens to be the second-largest AVA in the United States. However, many individuals are not even aware of the region, since most producers only sell their wines within Texas. Word is quickly spreading due to the massive population influx into Austin, which lies only one hour East of the AVA.
READ:The Best Wineries To Visit in Texas Hill Country
This region is relatively young, , however since the early 1990s a number of innovative producers recognized that the terroir and climate here is conducive to producing great-tasting Spanish and Italian varietals and blends, among others.
There are a few reasons as to why the draw to Texas Hill Country is so great not only are Vintners producing fantastic wine, but the AVAs proximity to Austin makes it an alluring destination for bachelorette parties, weddings and casual day trips. The drive through the region is beautiful and will have you feeling as though youve taken a quick trip over to the Italian countryside in some areas. Expect great food, Southern hospitality and fine wine. There are also some highly-rated and friendly guided tour options to consider.
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Thermoelectric Vs Compressor Wine Coolers
There are two ways your wine cooler will produce the low temperatures you require. The first option is a thermoelectric process that is popular because there are barely any vibrations while the components work. This is a plus because it means its a relatively noise-free unit.
A compressor wine cooler is much more powerful than a thermoelectric unit, making them the preferred option if you require large capacity. But these units will be noisier, even with advances in modern technology. They also impress by maintaining the same temperatures, even in areas where the climate often changessomething a thermoelectric cooler cant always do.
Note that a compressor wine cooler tends to be more expensive than its countertype, as theyre often larger and require more components to do their impressive work.
Theres no best optionsimply pick whats appropriate according to your preferences of noise levels, budget, and capacity.
Okanagan Valley British Columbia Canada
For one to truly experience all that British Columbia has to offer, youd need to take a drive through all 7 of the Okanagan Valley sub-appellations. Thats because each sub-appellation has its own unique terroir, wine styles and gorgeous scenery. Perhaps best known for its Pinot Noir production, the Okanagan region of British Columbia is Canadas most famous wine-producing region. Unfortunately, US consumers wont be able to find many of these beautiful wines in the states due to stringent liquor and licensing laws currently enacted within Canada. Again, youll just have to visit the region yourself.
READ:Exploring British Columbias Wine Country What To Drink, Where To Eat, Where To Stay
Its worth the trip, considering that British Columbia as a whole offers picturesque mountain views, crisp clean air, remote mountain roads and vine acreage that stretches for miles through both the low and highlands.
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Best Chardonnay: Black Box Chardonnay
Courtesy of Walmart.com
Region: California | ABV: 14% | Tasting Notes: Oak, Apples, Tropical fruit
Black Box is known for its focus specifically on making great wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Their chardonnay delivers citrus aromas with buttery flavors of oak, apple, pear and mango. Bold, semi-sweet with a lasting toasted finish, this chardonnay pairs well with lighter fare like roast chicken and potatoes, or richer whitefish piccata.
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Best Australian Red: Penfolds 2017 Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz
Region: South Australia, Australia | ABV: 14.5% | Tasting Notes: Black cherries, Cassis, New leather, Fruit cake
Penfolds, unquestionably the greatest winemaking estate in Australia, is best known for its iconic wine, Penfolds Grange. Chief winemaker Peter Gago made it his mission to produce well-structured wines with deep flavors and, as he puts it, a propensity to age.
While Grange is primarily shiraz, with a splash of cabernet sauvignon sourced from specific sites in South Australia, Penfolds’ Bin 389 combines 54% cabernet sauvignon with 46% shiraz and is often referred to as Baby Grange. Plus, this wine comes at a more approachable price tag than the Grange.
Region: Mendoza, Argentina | ABV: 14.5% | Tasting Notes: Cherry compote, Salty dark chocolate, Cedar spice
Achaval-Ferrer’s Quimera blend is a wine of remarkable precision: Co-founder Santiago Achaval, one of the most respected winemakers in Argentina, and winemaker Roberto Cipresso comb the vineyards, tasting grapes and hand-selecting vines specifically for this blend. In 2014, they conceived a dynamic and complex blend of 50% malbec, 24% cabernet franc, 18% merlot and 8% cabernet sauvignon.
Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain | ABV: 14% | Tasting Notes: Spiced plums, Forest underbrush, Cigar box
Good to Know:
How Do I Start Making My Wine At Home
You must possess the necessary ingredients and equipment to start the process.
First, extract the juice from the grapes and pour this into the primary fermenter. Add the wine yeast and let it ferment for 7 to 10 days.
Afterward, carefully transfer the mixture to the secondary fermenter and separate the sediments from the liquid using the siphon hose – do this for 2 to 3 months. The process is called racking.
After that period, transfer the wine to clean bottles and cover them with corks. Store them in an upright position for the first three days, then on their side in the following days, at 55º Fahrenheit, ideally.
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Top 12 Best Organic Wines Brands For 2022
Were serious wine lovers so when it comes to finding the very best of the best organic wines brands we are a dedicated team.
Want to make sure that what you drink is as healthy as possible? Then youre probably considering getting into organic wine but where do you start?
Well, while its true that some organic wine has been, traditionally, not so great thats not true anymore.
Our top twelve best organic wines brands are, without doubt, top quality picks that could go head to head with their more processed counterparts and not give up an inch of ground.
Weve gone global to bring you the best of the best. Theres no compromise on taste or quality at all.
QUICK LINKS | TOP ORGANIC WINE
Best Wine Regions In The World That Every Traveler Should Know In 2020
Why you should learn about the best wine regions in the world
Time Wine flies when youre having fun. As travelers, we can all appreciate the history, culture, languages, and tradition that wine brings to the table. Its a subject matter that takes a lifetime to fully grasp, yet only an article to join the conversation. There are so many incredible wine regions in the world to learn about, but which are the best? Read on to find out
Whether youre celebrating a special occasion or visiting the hillside vineyards of Northern California, wine is an important part of the equation. In your quest to become a travel pro, here are the best wine regions in the world that you should know about and visit in 2020.
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