Tag Archive for: grape varieties

National Chianti Day: Tuscany’s Iconic Wine

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Every year on the 1st Friday of September, wine lovers around the world, get together to celebrate National Chianti Day. This day is all about Chianti, one of Italy’s most famous wines, born from the soil and history of Tuscany. As Australians love good wine and Italian heritage, National Chianti Day is the perfect excuse to tell the story of Chianti from its beginning to its global impact.

What is Chianti?

Chianti is a red wine from the Tuscany region of central Italy, a land of beauty and centuries of winemaking heritage. The wine is mostly made from Sangiovese grapes, the heart of Chianti’s soul. Sangiovese, named after the Latin “sanguis Jovis” (the blood of Jupiter), has high acidity, firm tannins and flavours of red cherries, dried herbs and violets.

The Grapes and Chianti

Chianti has its origins in the 13th century when winemakers in the Chianti region (Castellina, Gaiole and Radda) started to produce wine from a blend of grapes. Originally Chianti was a white wine but over time red grapes, especially Sangiovese, became the main component.

In the 19th century Baron Bettino Ricasoli, a Tuscan statesman and winemaker, created the “Chianti formula”. This blend was 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo (a red grape) and 15% Malvasia (a white grape). This formula defined the Chianti style but the use of white grapes has been phased out and nowadays the blend is more Sangiovese focused.

Today Chianti wines must have at least 70-80% Sangiovese and the rest is often made up of other red grapes like Canaiolo, Colorino or even international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This blend gives Chianti its bright acidity, medium body and a flavour profile that goes from fruity and floral to earthy and spicy.

 

The Birth of Chianti Classico

In 1716 the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III de’ Medici, officially defined the Chianti region and its boundaries making it one of the first wine regions in the world to be legally protected. This region, now known as Chianti Classico, is the birthplace of Chianti wine. Wines from this area are labelled “Chianti Classico” and must meet strict production rules including a minimum aging period and a high percentage of Sangiovese grapes.

The black rooster (Gallo Nero) on the neck of Chianti Classico bottles is the symbol of quality and authenticity, it represents the historical rivalry between Florence and Siena and the victory of Florence that defined the boundaries of the Chianti region.

  • Chianti’s Origins: The first use of the name “Chianti” to describe the wine was in 1398. But the region’s winemaking history goes back even further, to Etruscan and Roman times.
  • Chianti Classico Requirements: To be labelled as Chianti Classico the wine must be produced in the original Chianti region and must meet the rules, including a minimum aging period of 7 months and at least 80% Sangiovese.
  • The Black Rooster Legend: The Gallo Nero, or black rooster, symbol comes from a legend about the medieval rivalry between Florence and Siena. According to the story, a black rooster’s early crowing allowed Florence to claim more territory during a border dispute and thus defined the original boundaries of the Chianti region.

Conclusion

National Chianti Day is a celebration of a wine that has gone beyond its origins to become an Italian icon and a benchmark of winemaking. In Australia, this day is celebrated with a series of events that bring together the best of Italian culture, food and of course wine. Whether you’re attending a festival, a winemaker dinner or simply enjoying a glass of Chianti at home National Chianti Day is an opportunity to appreciate the history and the timelessness of this Tuscan icon.

International Cabernet Sauvignon Day: The King of Red Wines

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Every year wine lovers around the world celebrate International Cabernet Sauvignon Day, a day to honor one of the most popular grapes in the world. On the 30th of August, both seasoned wine drinkers and casual sippers are encouraged to taste the big, bold flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon, aka the King of Red Wines.

How Cabernet Sauvignon was Discovered: An Accident

The story of how Cabernet Sauvignon was discovered is an accident. In the 17th century in the vineyards of Bordeaux, France, a natural crossing occurred between two well known grapes: Cabernet Franc, a red grape and Sauvignon Blanc, a white grape. This accident created a new grape variety—Cabernet Sauvignon.

The details of this cross-pollination were a mystery for centuries until modern DNA testing in the 1990s proved the parentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. This explained the grape’s unique characteristics, the structure and tannins of Cabernet Franc and the crisp, aromatic qualities of Sauvignon Blanc.

This accidental cross-pollination created a grape that would become a foundation of Bordeaux winemaking and eventually a global force. Winemakers quickly saw the potential of Cabernet Sauvignon, not just for its big flavors and deep color but for its ability to thrive in many climates and produce high quality wines.

The Origins and Early History of Cabernet Sauvignon

After its discovery Cabernet Sauvignon started to take root in the Médoc region of Bordeaux where it loved the gravelly soils that drained well and reflected the sun onto the vines. The thick skins made it resistant to disease and rot, a major plus in Bordeaux’s capricious climate.

By the 18th century Cabernet Sauvignon was a mainstay of Bordeaux blends, especially on the Left Bank where it was often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc to make the region’s famous wines. These blends were prized for their balance, complexity and ability to age, the benchmark for red wines everywhere.

Cabernet Sauvignon’s Global Travels

Cabernet Sauvignon’s success in Bordeaux didn’t go unnoticed and soon it was being grown in other parts of Europe and beyond. In the 19th century it made its way to the New World where it found a happy home in California’s Napa Valley. The warm sunny climate of Napa allowed Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen fully, producing wines with intense fruit flavors and robust tannins that are the hallmark of the region.

In Australia Cabernet Sauvignon was introduced in the mid 19th century and quickly became a leading grape variety, especially in regions like Coonawarra and Margaret River. Australian Cabernet Sauvignons are known for their individuality, often with eucalyptus or mint notes and rich dark fruit flavors. They have international recognition for their unique character and quality.

Cabernet Sauvignon also found success in South America, especially in Chile and Argentina where the grape loves the high altitude vineyards of the Andes. Chilean Cabernet Sauvignons are praised for their balance and structure, often more restrained than their New World counterparts.

Cabernet Sauvignon Characteristics

Cabernet Sauvignon is big, bold, deep and tannic, one of the most powerful and long lived red wines. The thick skins give it its intense color and tannic structure that allows it to age for decades in the bottle.

Flavor-wise Cabernet Sauvignon is often described as blackcurrant, blackberry and plum with secondary notes of tobacco, cedar, mint, eucalyptus and even graphite. Oak aging can add vanilla, spice and chocolate to the wine’s complexity.

One of the reasons Cabernet Sauvignon is so popular is its versatility. It can be enjoyed young with its big fruit and firm tannins or aged for many years to develop more complexity and a smoother texture.

The Future of Cabernet Sauvignon

As the world of wine moves forward Cabernet Sauvignon stays at the top, always offering something new and interesting. Winemakers are trying organic and biodynamic farming, low intervention winemaking and new regions to grow the grape. These innovations will keep Cabernet Sauvignon in the hearts of wine lovers everywhere.

In Australia sustainable vineyard practices and exploring new terroirs will keep Australian Cabernet Sauvignon in the game. Regions like Coonawarra with its terra rossa soils and Margaret River with its maritime climate are producing wines that show the individuality of Australian Cabernet.

Conclusion

International Cabernet Sauvignon Day is to celebrate this great varietal! Whether you’re opening a special bottle or trying a new favourite, today is the day to pour a drop of Cab Sav and enjoy!

The Shiraz Story

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The Shiraz grape, also known as Syrah, is one of the most famous grapes in the world. Its history is full of mystery, culture and transformation so it’s a great subject for wine lovers and historians.

Origins: Two Names

The name Shiraz is often associated with the city of Shiraz in modern day Iran so it’s common to think the grape originated there. But the true origins of the Syrah/Shiraz grape are in the Rhône Valley of France where it’s been grown for over 1000 years. The grape’s ancestral roots go back to two lesser known varieties: Dureza, a dark skinned grape from Ardèche and Mondeuse Blanche, a white grape from Savoie. These two grapes were naturally crossed to produce Syrah. The name Shiraz became popular in Australia where the grape was first planted in the 1830s. James Busby, a Scottish viticulturist, is credited with bringing the Syrah cuttings to Australia where it thrived in the country’s varied climates. Over time Australians began to call the grape Shiraz and the name has since become synonymous with the big, spicy wines of Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.

 

The French Connection: Syrah in the Rhône Valley

In France Syrah has been a mainstay of the Rhône Valley, particularly in the northern regions of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie and Saint-Joseph. Here the grape grows in the granite soils and produces wines that are deep coloured, full bodied and known for their complex aromas of blackberries, black pepper and violets. The French Syrahs are often praised for their ageing potential, getting more complex over time.

Syrah is also a component in many southern Rhône blends, particularly in Châteauneuf-du-Pape where it’s blended with Grenache, Mourvèdre and other varieties to produce full bodied and flavourful wines.

 

The Australian Evolution: Shiraz Comes to the Fore

While Syrah was thriving in France, Shiraz was developing its own personality in Australia. The warmer climate and diverse terroirs allowed Shiraz to show a different character, wines that were riper, fruitier and often more approachable at a younger age than their French counterparts.

Australian Shiraz quickly gained international recognition with regions like Barossa Valley becoming famous for their big, rich Shiraz wines. These wines are known for their intense plum, chocolate and black pepper flavours and often a smoky finish. Some of the most famous Australian Shiraz wines, like Penfolds Grange, are icons of the wine world and command high prices and top awards.

 

Global Expansion: Shiraz Everywhere

Beyond France and Australia Shiraz has found a home in many wine producing regions around the world. In South Africa it’s known for its smoky wines, often referred to as “roasted” or “burnt”. In the USA, particularly in California’s Central Coast and Washington State, Syrah/Shiraz is being used by winemakers to produce big, fruit forward wines with a touch of elegance.

Other countries like Argentina, Chile and New Zealand have also adopted Shiraz each with their own regional spin on the grape.

The Modern Era: Shiraz Today

Today Shiraz is one of the most popular and widely planted grape varieties in the world. It has a dual identity, Syrah in its traditional French home and Shiraz in the New World. This duality means wine lovers can explore a broad range of styles, from the elegant and age worthy Syrahs of the Rhône Valley to the big and expressive Shiraz wines of Australia.

Shiraz’s longevity is due to its ability, its robustness and the joy it brings in the glass. Whether young or old Shiraz will always charm wine lovers with its history and flavour. A true icon of wine.