Wine Basics
We've included some basic wine information to get you started. Remember to try different wines, experiment with new grape varieties, brands and countries. Treat your taste buds to wines from around the world!
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Wine is simply the product obtained from the fermentation of grapes and grape juice.
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Wine can be White, Red or Rosé
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When we speak about wine we sometimes refer to 'Old World' & 'New World'. Old world is the home of vine-growing where winemaking has evolved over the centuries. Classical Old World producers include France, Germany, Spain & Italy. The New World is made up of 'new' vineyards in the southern hemisphere and North America, countries include Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa & Argentina.
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Many factors affect the taste of wine: Climate, Soil, Grape Variety & Wine Making Technique. Certainly the most important of these factors is the grape variety. See below for information on a selection of the most popular grape varieties.
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Grape variety used in the production of wine can affect the colour, aroma, flavour and quality of the wine produced.
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Red Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet's classical home is Bordeaux in France; here it produces expressive, full-bodied and elegant wines. It is now planted around the world. It has also found success in California where it produces wine just bursting with ripe fruit. Typical style for cabernet sauvignon is full-bodied, deep-coloured wines with blackcurrant, mint, and green pepper flavours. Sometimes matured in oak barrels - it may have aromas of vanilla or cedar.
Pinot Noir
Used to make some of the worlds greatest wines. Typically medium-bodied with fruity & perfumed aromas. It can be a difficult grape to care for in the vineyard. Its classical home is Burgundy in France. Other examples of quality pinot can be found in New Zealand and Oregon in America. Pinot noir is also one of the three permitted grape varieties used in Champagne production. Typically it will have wonderful summer fruit flavours when it is a young wine. As it matures earthy & gamey aromas develop. Sometimes pinot noir is aged in oak, developing a creamy, vanilla style.
Syrah/Shiraz
Known as syrah in France or shiraz in Australia or other new world wine producing countries. It makes full-bodied and age worthy wines in the northern Rhône valley and nicely perfumed wines in the south of France. In the new world and especially Australia it is at home in the Hunter Valley or Barossa. The warmer Australian climate creates a big expressive wine, powerful and much riper. Typically deep-coloured with full-bodied flavours of dark fruits & pepper.
Merlot
Merlot comes from Bordeaux in France. While cabernet sauvignon above comes from the left bank in Bordeaux, merlot is to be found mostly on the right bank. It is planted throughout the new world where soft tannins and juicy flavours make is popular. Chile has began to adopt Merlot as its own, producing easy-drinking wines in a light fruity style. Typically medium-bodied, soft and easy drinking with flavours of plum, black berries and sometimes an earthy character. May also be oaked, giving creamy, vanilla notes.
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White Grape Varieties
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the world most popular white grape variety and produces a wide range of wine styles. It is the main white grape in Burgundy, France & is also one of the three permitted grape varieties in Champagne. It has spread around the world and popular styles come from Australia, Chile & California. It usually makes a dry, full-bodied white wine with flavours varying from crisp steely citrus to intensely ripened and tropical. Typically flavours of green fruits in examples from cooler climates and tropical fruits from wines produced in warmer climates. This wine is often matured in oak.
Riesling
Riesling can produce some truly stunning wines. Ranging in style from light and fragrant with lower alcohol levels through to very sweet, packed with ripe fruit flavour. Most of the worlds Riesling is grown in Germany. Other producers of good Riesling wine are Alsace, New Zealand and Australia. Typically full of apple and lime flavours when young. As it ages aromas of spice and sometimes diesel fuel develops. In sweeter styles honey and marmalade characteristics appear.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc has been becoming more and more popular in recent times. Produces a dry, crisp and aromatic wine with refreshing acidy. Classically from the Loire Valley in France and also one of the permitted white grapes in Bordeaux. New Zealand has made its mark with sauvignon blanc in the new world. You may see sauvignon blanc referenced to as "Fumé Blanc" on labels from California - this wine will have received some oak ageing. The signature flavour of sauvignon blanc has to be gooseberries along with nettles, green pepper and cut grass! Tropical flavours can also be found. Sauvignon blanc is always very fresh and lively.
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This course is run over one day at venues across Ireland, the Dublin course will be held in the Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham, Dublin.
Having fa This course is run over one day at venues across Ireland, the Dublin course will be held in the Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham, Dublin.
Ha This course is run over one day at venues across Ireland, the Cork course will be held in The River Lee Hotel (formerly Jury's), Western Road, Cork
This course is run over one day at venues across Ireland, the Galway course will be held in The Radisson Blu Hotel, Lough Atalia RGift Voucher - One Day Wine Appreciation Course - €140.00
Upcoming Courses
One Day Wine Appreciation - Dublin (Sept 18th) - €140.00
One Day Wine Appreciation - Dublin (Sept 19th) - €140.00
One Day Wine Appreciation - Cork (Sept 25th) - €140.00
One Day Wine Appreciation - Galway (Sept 26th) - €140.00