There are a number of points towards refining your taste for wine and enhancing your judgment as to what makes a good wine. Naturally, one being wine is made from fermented grape juice. You also should know the grape varieties wines are made from and the process of wine making itself.

There are many different kinds of wines, and the more commonly known ones - red, white, rose and champagne - are only a few of many. Wines are usually classified according to the grape varieties used to make them. One variety that is often used for red wine is the Barbera. Grown mainly in Piedmont, Italy, this variety is quite adaptable to other regions, and is also grown on a limited scale in the United States. Barbera grapes have a high natural acidity and produce wines with a full-bodied fruity taste.

Wine Varieties

There is a vast selection when choosing one of the many varieties of wine. Wine enthusiasts all know about one variety grown in many parts of the world, the Cabernet Sauvignon. Grown primarily in Medoc, France, this grape variety has found its way to California, Australia and other wine-making countries. Cabernet Sauvignon wines are considered by wine enthusiasts as among the best red wines in the world. They have a distinct aromatic flavor, and have hints of the taste of berries, olives, coffee, mint and herbs all blended together. One of the most popular white wine varieties and producing some of the world's finest, is the Chardonnay. The types and varieties are overwhelming at times, but you soon become familiar with the wine values.

A basic understanding of the wine-making process is important to a wine enthusiast especially if he intends to go into wine production, if only for his personal use. Wine making is really quite simple and is an age-old technology. It is not necessary to have sophisticated equipment to make wines.

To start you have to know what type of grapes to use and where they are grown, the right age for picking, and things like acidity and sugar levels. If you are after a particular aromatic flavor, there are grapes that will produce that kind of flavor and you should be able to tell which ones. After the  picking comes the pressing to extract the juices, then fermentation.

Fermentation is quite a delicate process. It involves adding yeast to the juice in order to stimulate the fermentation process. In simple terms, fermentation is the conversion of the sugar in the juice into alcohol. The success of the process, that is, your grape juice turning into good wine, has a lot to do with the kind of yeast you use, and the absence of any contaminants getting into the mixture during the entire process.

There is so much more to knowing the difference between a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon, but the knowledge to the types of wine available is just the beginning for a wine enthusiast.

Outside of Champagne, the term Pinot Noir Chardonnay is the name now used to describe a sparkling wine. With the European Union protecting the rights of wine producing regions, including the region in France known as, Champagne, (and rightly so), sparkling wine is also commonly called a Pinot Chardonnay, based on the fact that a sparkling wine is produced from these two grape varieties.

Don’t be fooled, the quality, texture and taste of a Pinot Chardonnay can be just as alluring and exciting as any Champagne. The name is the only thing that has changed, Pinot Chardonnays are still produced using the same techniques as Champagne
Big name distrbutors Moet and Chandon even list a few hidden Pinot Chardonnay gems in the inventory lists.$$$   A couple of these hidden gems come from Yarra Valley in Australia, a popular wine growing region.

New Zealand has also carved a reputation for producing some great ‘Sparklers’ with many originating from the North Island.

Many attempts over the years to combine various grape varieties have resulted in some fantastic successes and some tragic failures.  The most common types of grapes used in experimentation are Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz.  You don’t see a Sav Blanc Chardonnay around, do you? there is good reason for that.  But the mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with the sparkling fermentation process has been a tremendous success.

The Pinot Chardonnay series has proven to be very popular for social events like picnics, BBQ’s and wine bars, which is why they are commonly distributed in 200ml and 375ml sizes.  Although it is a sparkling variety, modern technology has allowed it to be as versatile as any of the still wines in packaging and delivery.

Probably the most exciting point of Pinot Chardonnays is because they are called Pinot Chardonnays and not Champagne they are nowhere near the same price...you win.

Set up a blind tasting of your own one day and see if you and your friends can pick the difference.

Follow the link for more information on Pinot Noir Chardonnay.

Chardonnay grape is the most popular type of white wine, found all over the world.Depending on where it was made and what processing technique was employed for it, the taste, flavour and aroma of it will Depend.  Chardonnay has a variety of different styles and flavors, and remains a major type of grape.As a result of it’s popularity, this fine wine spread throughout Europe and other locations of the world such as Australia and California.

As more and more wine makers discovered Chardonnay, the fine wine began to grow quite well in South Africa and other areas as well.  With it being a non aroma type wine, oak seems to work very well with it.  The richest and most complex are American and French Chardonnay, which are also among the most preferred white wines.  Even though it does suffer from fatigue, the flavor and richness of this wine will keep it loved by many for years to come.

Chardonnay originated from the Burgundy and Champagne area of France.  Although white Burgundy is a popular wine that is prepared with Aligote, a lesser known grape, the fact remains that white Burgundy can’t be made without the use of Chardonnay grape.  What this goes to show, is that Chardonnay grapes have more than a few uses.

In appearance, Chardonnay grapesare green in color with thin skins.  The grape is a result of the Pinot and Croatian Blanc grape, which are extinct to this day.  Chardonnay on the other hand is still popular, fermented and aged using oak barrels that help to bring out the vanilla flavor the wine is well known for.  It can also be aged and fermented using bottles, although it won’t age quite as much as red wine.

Almost all Chardonnay wines are considered to be chilled, making them work extremely well with dishes that contain butter and cheeses.Also the wines have less acid content too, which makes them work well along with the seafood.  There are a lot of food that you can pair Chardonnay with, which is what makes it so popular.  A lot of fine restaurants serve it as well, especially Italian and seafood restaurants.

The Chardonnay grape can also be used in making Champagne and other types of sparkling wines.  Although Chardonnay wine is the most popular use, there are several other uses for the grape that lead to some truly fine wines.  Oak is often times used with the wine as well, which provides it with some great flavors as it ages.  Although it can be a bit on the expensive side, it still remains one of the most preferred types of wine.  You can find it at any wine or alcohol store - making it a great addition to your wine or drink collection.

Popular Varieties Of Wine

There are many types and varieties of wine available. For anyone wanting to try and match a great wine with a specific type of meal, then you can’t go wrong making your choice form one of the more popular varieties around.

Oh, and before we get started, if you love to try new wines, then you can't go wrong with a wine of the month club, they're fun and you're always expanding your wine palate.

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular wine varieties:

Cabernet Sauvignon

Often abbreviated to the less-than-lovely name ‘cab-sav’, the flavorful cabernet sauvignon is a classic French wine that is one of the most widely recognized red wine varieties.

This well rounded red goes wonderfully with steaks and roasted lamb as well as being delicious on its own.

Merlot

Merlot is a very soft red which has a lower level of tannins than many other red wine varieties. It is often blended with cabernet sauvignon and other grapes, but is often found on its own, making a good accompaniment to chicken and other poultry dishes.

Shiraz

This wine (also known as Syrah) is very dark red in color and has a full body with notes of black pepper. This wine is ideal for barbecues and in fact, any meat dish. These wines can be aged for many years with spectacular results.

Native to Iran (it is named after the Iranian city of Siraz), this grape is produced extensively in Australia, which makes some of the best Shiraz in the world as well as in France.

Shiraz pairs well with strong and spicy sauces – it is ideal for spicy cuisines and barbecue.

Grenache

Grenache has a soft taste on its own with a very slight black pepper and plum flavor. It is often blended with Syrah, especially in Spain and France. Grenache also accompanies spicy foods quite well.

Pinot Noir

Pinot noir is a stunning light- to medium-bodied red wine with a fine fruity aroma. When this fine wine is well aged, it can develop lovely floral flavors.

Chardonnay

This is one of the most popular white wine varieties. Chardonnay makes a lovely wine on its own and it is often blended with other white wines. Chardonnay has notes of melon and lemon, as well as oak; the wine is generally aged in oak for between one and three years. This wine is the perfect complement to salmon and tuna dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon blanc is a tart, assertively flavored wine with lemon and gooseberry notes. This is a great wine for seafood or on its own, well chilled.

Semillon

This French grape is not as well known to those outside of France and Australia, where it is also widely grown. However, Semillon has a pleasing honeyed toast-like flavor, with lower acidity than many whites. It is often blended with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, with which is makes some very good wines.

Riesling

This is a German wine which has found favor worldwide and is now grown in many different countries. This is a white wine with a pleasing green apple and lemon flavor which may be either dry or sweet. The dry varieties of Riesling are excellent paired with spicy foods.

Now get out there, start trying new wines (join a wine club if there are no vineyards nearby), and enjoy.