The Rhône Valley is in southern France and divides itself into two distinct areas: Northern and Southern Rhône. Climates and soils vary greatly between the two but there are two things that connect them: the Rhône River and the Mistral wind. The Mistral is an intense wind that blows year-round and can reach speeds 60+ … Read more
Technically, Languedoc and Roussillon are in fact two distinct regions with separate historical and cultural backgrounds. However, in 1972 they were joined administratively and together comprise the largest winemaking region in southern France and share the same grape varieties. The area is more frequently referred to as “Languedoc Roussillon”. The limestone soils of Languedoc are … Read more
We’ve arrived in the South of France this week in class. So, we turn our attention to Bordeaux and the wines of Southwest France. The wines of Bordeaux are a revered French wine icon. They are age-worthy and highly prized. When Robert Parker launched Wine Advocate and fell in love with the 1982 Bordeaux vintage, … Read more
The Loire Valley is known as France’s Garden. In 2000, the central (Middle) portion was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With more than 300 castles and chateaux, the French say that the Loire is a queen that has been loved by kings as many have renovated and rebuilt glamorous summer retreats and … Read more
This week, we actually studied three regions in France: Savoie, Jura and Beaujolais. Beaujolais Beaujolais is a small wine growing region just to the south of Bourgogne. The land is only 34 miles long and 7-9 miles in width. The grapes of the Beaujolais region are few. 98% of the red grape plantings in Beaujolais … Read more
The most important lesson from our Bourgogne class: Bourgogne = Burgundy. For some reason, Bourgogne was the only French wine region to be translated, and in English-speaking countries is called Burgundy. It’s long caused confusion to consumers who find only Bourgogne mentioned on wine labels so a shift is currently occurring to return all references … Read more
“The sparkling wine that is Champagne cannot be duplicated anywhere else on earth. Sparkling wines produced around the world, even when made from the same grape varieties, using the same production method, do not deliver the same product. They can’t. The Champagne terroir exists nowhere else but Champagne.” –French Wine Scholar study manual This week … Read more
Wine wisdom from the Alsace region: Pinot Noir is the only red grape grown in the Alsace region. Bottles with long, tapered necks are Alsatian. Best known for dry Rieslings and sparkling white and rosé wines (Crémant d’Alsace AOC). Wasatch Academy of Wine serves as the affiliate provider for the French Wine Society’s courses in … Read more
I am a lover of wine but certainly no scholar. I’ve swirled, sniffed and drank in many a state’s wine country and at least a dozen foreign countries besides. Last week I stood in a vineyard in Sonoma with beautiful ancient vines — but I couldn’t have told you a Grenache grape from a Viognier … Read more
South Salt Lake holds the distinction of being the proud home to two urban wineries. Ruth Lewandowski Wines and Kiler Grove Winegrowers each ferment, bottle and sell their wines from small tasting rooms that front larger production operations within the city’s boundaries. You’ll find wines from both wineries on wine lists at the finest restaurants … Read more