The Old World encompasses more than just France, Italy, Germany and Spain. Portugal is often overlooked, but has recently become much more visible due to its increasing quality standards and continued modest pricing.

The Wine Society of India's Spring Selection will be a focus on Spain and Portugal, hence this blog's focus on Portugal.

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Posted in: Wine Awareness, Wine, Red Wine, Old World Wines | Comment (2) >>

Blog: Steven Spurrier

Last time we looked at the principal white grape varieties - grapes that were once identified with specific regions in the traditional vineyards of Europe, but are now seen in wine-producing regions all around the world.

This time, it's the turn of the reds. It's worth noting that, with very rare exceptions, the pulp of a vitis vinifera grape is colourless. If you squeeze the grape, the juice is clear, because it is the skin of the grape that contains the pigmentation. By macerating the skins with the pressed juice before, during and after fermentation (the process which transforms the grape's sugar into alcohol), that gives the colour.  All red grapes can be used to make a rosé wine, the pink colour coming from a very short maceration period.  The skin of the grape also contains the tannins, which, along with the fruit, allow red wines to age.

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Posted in: Wine Education, Red Wine | Comment (1) >>

Blog: Steven Spurrier


Burgundy – the 2007 vintage

Each year in January, the UK wine trade holds a series of tastings of the last but one vintage in Burgundy .  Over two weeks, literally thousands of wines are tasted by the trade and Press and much of the wine is sold at that time.  The most exciting vintage in recent years was far and away 2005, but the 2006s were well received, especially the ..Read More >>

Posted in: Wines, Wine Education, Wine Awareness, Wine, White Wine, Red Wine, Old World Wines, French Wine | Comment (1) >>