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Even absolute teetotalers know that wines are divided into red and white, still and semi-sweet. But not everyone represents what is meant by “vintage wine”.
The main feature of such a drink is a long aging in oak barrels, which contributes to the saturation of the product with extractive substances from grape fruits and specially prepared wood.
“Term” is considered obsolete
It was replaced by new definitions of “high-quality”, “seasoned reserve”, “with a protected geographical indication”, nevertheless, such a concept was fixed for many old brands.
Aging in an oak barrel reveals the wine bouquet and gives it special flavor and aroma qualities, which is why such alcohol is highly valued among connoisseurs. The minimum aging period for a drink to obtain the status of “branded” is one and a half years.
Manufacturing technology and other parameters for each brand are different. Therefore, before assigning a special category, a thorough check by the experts of the tasting commission is carried out.
The Commission oversees:
Compliance with the methodology, conditions and region of growing raw materials.
The ratio of grape varieties contained in the drink.
Compliance with the technology of storage and processing of fruits.
The content of a certain amount of alcohol.
Italian and Spanish vintage wines
Italian grape drinks are among the best-selling in the world, because for their production unique varieties are grown that do not take root in other regions of the world. Local branded drinks should be looked for in the DOC and DOCG categories.
The first ones are relatively affordable, the second ones are affordable for a few. The most famous among the great Italian wines are the old Chianti, Asti and Barbaresco.
Among the relatively affordable brands are Podere Sapaio, Sella and Mosca, Marisa Cuomo, Cantina Tramin, Zenato, Hans Rottensteiner.
Democratic Spanish vintage wines: Baron Ladron de Guevara, Marques de Riscal.
French vintage wines
In France, there is a whole scattering of worthy wines and world famous producers. Branded drinks here are identified with the AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protegee) or AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlee) badge. These wines are rigorously tested at all stages of production, subjected to expert evaluation and tasting by a special commission.
The best examples are grown in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, Provence, the Rhone and Loire valleys, Languedoc and Roussillon. The products of the last regions are more accessible.
Among the most famous democratic brands from the vintage French category: Chateau Boutisse, Jean Loron, Xavier Guiraud, Chateau L’Ermitage (Costieres des Nimes), Vinadeis, Chateau Capion, Domaine des Carabiniers, Maison Riviere.
Georgian vintage wines
Wines from Georgia are among the most beloved in the territory of the post-Soviet states, which is explained by their excellent quality and budgetary cost. Of the vintage wines are popular:
Alazani Valley
White semi-sweet drink of a gentle straw shade. It is made from varieties Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Tetra.
Differs in characteristic high-quality aroma, fresh, delicate, harmonious taste. Fortress: 10–12%.
Akhasheni
Red semi-sweet wine of cherry color with a tart, velvety taste with hints of chocolate.
Produced in the valley of the same name from Saperavi grapes. Fortress: 10–13%. Aged for at least 2 years.
Kindzmarauli
Legendary Georgian wine with the color of ripened cherries. Red, semi-sweet, with a powerful varietal bouquet, delicate, bright, velvety taste.
It is made according to the Imereti technology (grapes are crushed together with seeds and twigs, which are removed before fermentation) from the Saperavi variety, harvested in Kakheti (near the village of Kvareli). Fortress: 11–13%.
Kvareli
Dry drink of saturated ruby color. Produced from Saperavi grapes harvested near the village of the same name in the Alazani Valley.
It has an intense ruby color, floral aroma, light velvety taste. It is aged for at least 3 years (according to the old technology – in special kvevri containers). Fortress: 13–14%.
Mukuzani
Dry red drink made from Saperavi fruits, named after the village of the same name in Kakheti. One of the most famous, beloved, time-tested Georgian wines.
The holding period is at least 3 years. Fortress: 10–12,5%. It has a complex taste with oak and berry notes, rich pomegranate color.
Tsinandali
White dry wine, named after the village of the same name. One of the oldest in Georgia. Produced from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane varieties.
It has a light straw shade, fruity aroma, delicate, delicate taste. The holding period is 3 years.
Australian fine wines
As such, there is no concept of “fine wine” in Australia, most of the drinks are classified as blended, raw materials are grown in different regions, and the technology can be completely different in neighboring wine-growing areas.
Nevertheless, there are quality brands that have become the hallmark of the continent. And work on the systematization of categories is underway.
Worthy aged samples are produced by the following Australian producers: Torbreck, Peter Lehmann, Charles Melton, Two Hands, Penfolds, Yalumba, Henschke, Jim Barry, Tim Adams, d’Arenberg, WirraWirra, Lindemans, Ashton Hills, Lenswood Vineyards, Petaluma, Plantagenet Wines, Cullen, Casella Wines, Dromana Estate, Mount Mary Vineyard.
Chilean fine wines
Winemaking in the hot South American country began to develop in the XNUMXth century.
On the shelves of Russian stores, Chilean wine products are presented quite diversely. Among them there are both worthy budget and expensive collection samples.
The best wines are categorized as Vinos sin Denomination de Origin (specify the grape variety and vintage) and Vinos con Denomination de Origin (confirmed place of origin, grape variety, vintage).
It is noteworthy that according to local laws, the information on the label must match at least 75%.
When choosing a drink, do not be guided by the inscriptions Reserva, Reserva Especial, Gran Reserva, as they are not a guarantee of wine aging.
Decent barrel-aged examples from Chile can be found under the brands Vina Sena, Tarapaca, Montes, Cono Sur, Santa Carolina, Arboleda, Errazuriz, Vina Maipo, Vina Aquitania, Vina Caliterra, Vina Chocalan.
Moldovan vintage wines
Grape drinks from Moldova were especially popular during the Soviet era. Today, they say, their quality is far from the same as before. However, there are brands that still do not lose their reputation. Among the most famous Moldovan vintage wines:
Negru de Purcari
Red dry drink of ruby-garnet color with a rich aroma with hints of prunes, chocolate, figs, blueberries, saffron, oak and vanilla.
Roche de Purcarre
Dry red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. The holding period is 3 years. The bouquet contains oak, floral, vanilla, berry, almond notes.
Feteaska
Dry white wine made from grapes of the same name. Differs in golden color, mild taste with tones of fruits and flowers.
Local Cabernet, Riesling, Aligote are also highly valued.
Among the most famous producers: Cricova, Mileştii Mici, Dionysos Mereni, Chateau Vartely, Vinaria Purcari, KVINT, Bouquet of Moldova.
Crimean vintage wines
Among the grape drinks of the Crimea, you can find products of absolutely different quality: both frankly mediocre and delightfully outstanding. Many local wines bear the names of the varieties from which they are made.
The most valued are aged drinks from Aligote, Riesling, Muscat varieties, sweet sherries, ports from Rkatsiteli, Kokur, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Bastardo.
Of the brands that have maintained their reputation for many decades, it is worth noting:
Golden Beam (Inkerman)
Light golden wine with a pleasant, fresh, harmonious caramel flavor with a spicy bitterness. Exposure: 1,5 years. Fortress: 10–12%.
Muscat white Red Stone (Massandra)
White liqueur wine. It has an elegant, velvety, harmonious taste with honey, floral and citrus tones. Aged in barrels for 2 years.
Black Doctor (Sun Valley)
Dessert tart red wine with accents of figs, cream, pear, dogwood, black mulberry. Fortress: 16%.
Also highly rated: Muscatel Pink, Muscat White, Madera, Seventh Heaven of Prince Golitsyn, Alushta (Massandra), Black Colonel, Cabernet Kachinskoye (Inkerman).
From native Russian vintage wines
Krasnodar Riesling (Sauk-Dere), Sauvignon (Gelendzhik), Likuria (Lefkadia), Dagestan ones: Derbent Golden, Sherry and Madera (Derbenst Cognac Plant) are in the greatest demand.
Relevance: 02.02.2020
Tags: wine and vermouth