Diversifying Your Wine Tastes
Did you know there are over 8,000 different grape varietals in this world? That is a lot of different grape types. The challenge is to taste wines made from just 100 different grape varietals. We have some many wines that are available to us so why not do some exploring. My list of wines made from different grape varietals is approaching 600 different grape varietals. Some are wonderful while some fine, and then there are those wines I would never have again. The normal grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Petite Syrah for red wine grapes along with Sauvignon Blanc, Chennin Blanc, Chardonnay, Blanc du Bois, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, and Semillon for white wine grapes normally make up the grape varietals that most people drink. There are also Rose’ wines where you ferment a red wine grape and try to make it like a white wine which gives you a pink, shrimp color. Of course, there are the blends of white wines and red wines. Rose’ and blended wines sometimes contain grape varietals that you have never heard of such as Charbono in The Prisoner or Pinot Meunier in Sparkling Wines.
Make a list of the grape varietals used in making the wines you consume. Let me know how many different grape varietals you have tasted. Can you break the level of at least 100 different grapes? (Yes, Mogen David Manischewitz with Concord Grapes counts.) If you can list at least 100 different grape varietals you have consumed, you can qualify for The Wine Century Club. Once you have your list of wines made from at least 100+ grape varietals, you can apply for membership consideration at The Wine Century Club by logging online via the internet at www.delongwine.com/collections/wine-century-club. I wonder how many readers of Wine Walk have consumed wines made from at least 100 different grape varietals. By the way, my first wine was a blend of Mogen David and Club Soda for a sparkling wine when I was 5-1/2 years old so that is one of my 500+ grape varietals that I have enjoyed in wines. I even made wine in my college dorm closet using Welch’s Grape Juice.
There are a lot of wine events that serve wines made from grape varietals in the magnitude of between 30 and 50. Yes, grapes in blends do counts. Once event that will be coming up in October in the greater Houston Area is the Market Street Wine Walk in The Woodlands on Thursday, October 5th. This event sponsored by HEB Grocery Stores should provide you with a big list of wines made from a lot of different varietals. The blends will contain several varietals so you can add to your list of grapes. You should be well on your way with this event. Tickets can be purchased for this three-hour wine and food event at www.WineandFoodWeek.com.
With my wine list of different grape varietals, I have two distinct grapes that stand out as UNIQUE. For my most unusual red, I tried an Ives Noir with an iridescent red color with a nose and taste of cotton candy. My most unusual white wine was a Muscadet along the west coast of France due the ocean where it brought a salty taste to the wine with the wine as clear as water. Those are my most unusual wine grapes. What are your most unusual grape varietals you have tasted?