Red Grape Varietals

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Foxy Concord: Finding the sweet spot with this American classic

The grape of North America, Concord has come to dominate the grape juice and jelly markets, but making a solid wine with it can req

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Beyond Beaujolais: Get acquainted with Gamay Noir

Wine-wizard

Discussing Pros v. Cons of Pinot Noir

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Noble Nebbiolo: Time to raise it from the fog

Explore the grape varietal made famous by the Italian wineries producing Barolo and Barbaresco wines in the Piemonte region of northern Ital

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Crafting Pinot Noir Wines

Finesse the legendary grape from Burgundy.

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Making Cabernet Sauvignon

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Zinfandel: ‘America’s’ grape

We all are familiar with White Zinfandel, the rosé style that enjoyed immense popularity in recent years and led to the emergence of a rosÃ

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Norton: New World nobility

The experts surmise Norton is likely a cross between V. aestivalis and an unknown V. vinifera species. There is possibly s

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Barbera

Barbera frequently comes in with high acidity but, with the right winemaking approach, it makes a food-friendly red for people who drink win

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Tempranillo: Spanish nobility

Tempranillo is the predominant black grape variety from the northern wine region of Spain we know as the Rioja, and other regions of the Ibe

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Grenache: An international blender

In the vineyard, Grenache is extremely vigorous and needs a long growing season to mature all of its fruit.

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Merlot: Noble grape of Bordeaux

. . . Merlot is the most common grape variety grown in France with about 280,000 acres.

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Nero d’Avola: The red grape of Sicily

. . . Sicily’s legacy of red wine is all about Nero d’Avola, second only to Catarratto Bianco. There are almost 18,000 hectares (about 4

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Marquette: A hardy cold-climate hybrid

If you are looking for a cold-tolerant red grape, Marquette might be the varietal for you. Bred in Minnesota, this hybrid can withstand temp

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Montepulciano

To understand Montepulciano the grape, you also have to understand the difference with Montepulciano the place. Chik Brenneman takes you on

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Cabernet Sauvignon: Master Class

Grab a seat, take out your pencil, and get ready for an introduction into the master class on the world’s most popular grape. Guest lectur

Wine-wizard

Making White Zinfandel

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High Acids, Low Tannins: Barbera

Barbera is a favorite among winemakers because its high acidity makes it a useful grape for blending and also a unique varietal wine. Get ti

Technique

Cold Climate Grape Growing

Growing grapes in cold climates has its challenges — from finding varieties that will work to keeping vines alive over harsh winters — 

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Pinotage: The Red Grape of South Africa

Pinotage is the most recognized — though not the most widely grown — South African red wine grape.

Technique

Using South American Grapes for a Second Winemaking Season

Got the urge to make wine from grapes in the spring? All you need to do is get your hands on some grapes from the Southern Hemisphere.

Technique

Making Wines with Finesse

Making lighter wines with finesse is a way of approaching your winemaking, a methodology, a subtle series of tactical maneuvers.

Technique

Pinot Noir Winemaking Techniques from Burgundy

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Syrah: Versatile, bold and colorful

Australia recognizes Syrah as Shiraz. It is presumed that the name stuck as the cuttings that were brought to the country in the 1830s by Ja

Technique

10 Italian Red Wines to Make at Home