- By -Staff
- Around Town
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Last week I discussed the many benefits of drinking wine made from red grapes. Their skin, and to some extent the seeds, contain resveratrol, a polyphenol that acts as an antioxidant in plants and in the bodies of humans. The plant develops resveratrol as a compound that it uses to fight off fungal diseases by increasing its immune system. At the end of my column I mentioned that not all red grapes are created equal: some have more resveratrol than others. This week I'd like to tell you which are which and to discuss more about grapes and wine in general.
In general, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have the most resveratrol with Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir close behind. Merlot and Zinfandels don't have as much.
Speaking of Cabernet Sauvignon: Have you noticed that in Europe the grape variety is not mentioned in the name of the wine? Bordeaux, Burgundy, Chianti, Chateauneuf-du Pape, Vouvray, Cognac, Rioja, and Champagne are all regions. However, if you make it a point to study wine, you'll know that white Burgundy is always composed of Chardonnay grapes, the typical "Bordeaux blend" is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grapes, and Vouvray, actually a village on the Loire River, is always produced from Chenin Blanc grapes.
Did you know that Chablis is not a vine? It's an area in northern Burgundy that produces only Chardonnay vines. Recently a companion at my table mentioned that she doesn't like Chablis but does like Chardonnay. I didn't correct her.
Wines from the New World, on the other hand, do include the grape variety in the name. However, just because a wine is labeled with one grape, e.g., Chardonnay, doesn't necessarily mean it's made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. It could be a blend composed, primarily, of Chardonnay grapes.
Do you know the difference between grapes? Over 50 different types of grapes are used to make wines around the world however, because of space limitations, let me concentrate on a handful of popular reds this week.
Cabernet Sauvignon. This grape is grown in the Bordeaux region of France and is popular in the Napa valley of California, Chile, South Africa, and Australia. It's small, has a thick skin, and quite a bit of tannin. It's often aged in oak to make it more complex although it also ages well in the bottle. When you select Cabernet Sauvignon you can usually expect a hearty, robust wine. The typical Cab Sauvignon from France will include a bit of Cabernet Franc and Merlot blended in to make a more complex wine.
Sirah or Syrah or Shiraz or Sérine is a popular grape in the Rhone valley and the Languedoc region of France and Australia. It's usually spicy and there's often a touch of licorice flavor. It's dark and has quite a bit of tannin.
Pinot Noir is the primary grape grown in the Burgundy region of France. It is also grown in great quantities on the West Coast of the United States, Australia, Germany and Eastern Europe. It's thin skinned and a bit delicate, making it difficult to grow in the Finger Lake's region. It doesn't have the full body or robustness of Bordeaux but does have a more ethereal quality and lots of complexity. Pinot Noir grapes are often pressed before fermentation and used in Champagne. It ages well. If you put a glass of Pinot next to a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and compare the color, the Cab will usually be darker.
Merlot is popular in cooler regions of California, Italy, Switzerland and France. It matures earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon and produces softer, fleshier wine. I prefer not to drink this wine "straight". Because I lived in France for a while, near Bordeaux, I tend to think of Merlot as a blending grape.
Zinfandel has a lot of flexibility. It can be made sweet or dry. Drunk young, it has a lively, fruity flavor. Aged and consumed after many years, it can be mistaken for a hearty Bordeaux. It's grown in great quantities in California and Italy.
Next week I'd like to continue this discussion, but with an emphasis on grapes that are converted into white wine.
Click here to send comments to me. I will answer each one personally and will print those that are of general interest.
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