Curious Synonyms: Vitovska Grganja, Vitovska Garganja Nerd Alert: Rare and ancient greenish-gold variety that is found predominantly in Carso, in the northeastern Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. The name is of slovenian origin. Believed to be a crossing of Prosecco Tondo and Malvasia Bianca Lunga. Traditionally used in blends, but recently it started panning out….
Road To 500 Grapes
After learning about Wine Century, then reading Godforsaken Grapes, I decided I want to document my experiences with every grape I encounter and since the pandemic started in 2020, I decided to extend that search to 500. It will be quite a journey, but I'm sure the learning alone will be worth it.
162 – Niagara – 338 Grapes Left
Curious Synonyms: Niagara White, White Concord Nerd Alert: Light-skinned hybrid variety grown mainly in the northeastern United States. Created in the New York county of Niagara in the mid-19th Century from the Concord grape variety (probably a cross between a wild Vitis labrusca variety and an unknown Vitis vinifera variety) and the labrusca Cassady. It’s…
161 – Tinto Velasco – 339 Grapes Left
Curious Synonyms: Graciano de Alfaro, Velasco, Blasco, Benitillo, Frasco Nerd Alert: This grape is known in la Rioja Baja and it wasn’t until the early 1990’s that it was demonstrated it wasn’t really Graciano. It is considered a spanish varietal even though it is not recognized as an authorized varietal in any D.O. in Spain….
160 – Foja Tonda – 340 Grapes Left
Curious Synonyms: Casetta, Maranela, Lambrusco a Foglia Tonda, Lambrusco Casetta Nerd Alert: This obscure red variety was planted in the Adige valley for many centuries. Grown sin ce the Middle Ages and well known in the 18th Century when Alto Adige was annexed into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The variety was ignored until recently. Mostly exclusive…
159 – Grasevina – 341 Grapes Left
Curious Synonyms: Welschriesling, Riesling Italico, Vojvodina, Borba. Nerd Alert: Out of the total availability of this grape, 59% of it comes from Austria and Croatia is third with 15% out of a total of around 7 other countries. The origin is debated but it is Croatia’s most planted grape variety. Easy to grow, prefers dry…
158 – Valdiguie – 342 Grapes Left
Curious Synonyms: Napa Gamay, Gamay 15, Gros Auxerrois, Brocal. Nerd Alert: Red grape primarily grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France but it is also grown in California. Until 1980 it was called Napa Gamay until DNA testing validated it was a different grape. It’s a high yeilding, low alcohol with fruity flavors but…
#157 – Cesanese – 343 Grapes Left
It had a thin mantle of mixed red and black fruit but nothing as main character. It wad a light wine with tamed tannins and…
#156 Maturana Blanca – 344 grapes left
we start looking at a very beautiful golden color. One would think it was an older wine. I will say this, typical of great riojas, this wine needed time to open up.
#106 Petit Manseng – 394 grapes left
Classic straw yellow color, it had a crushing acidity and citrus notes along with a nice minerality.
#105 Brachetto – 395 grapes left
The wine started with a little frizzante that dissipates rather quickly. The color is on the lighter side of red and the aromas are truly sweet.