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France
Italy
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France
You either love their wines or hate them!
Controlled by centuries old traditions, this country has given us the unique and classic wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne to name but a few.
Like all of the 'old world' wine producing countries it is easy to get confused by the sheer volume of different appelations, regions and that's before you introduce the idiosyncrasies of pricing.
Enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment French wines remain the quality standard that everyone strives to beat.
Italy
Probably without doubt the scariest country in the wine world. With
its plethora of confusing wine laws, labelling and sometimes rather
'mass produced' wine making.
Yet it remains for those who can stick with the challenge one of the most rewarding of all.
From those groundbreaking 'Vino da Tavola' wines that refuse to conform to the strict and often unhelpful wine regulations that might offer the more(?) prestigious DOC or DOCG. To the more exotic and pricey Supertuscans there really is something for every price point and palate.
Without question there is everything in this country from the romance of Tuscany and its rolling hills to the hotter and more arid Sicily. The winemaking is changing from the volume production to a more refined portfolio of wines with the emphasis more on quality, regionality and also indigenous grape varieties.
It remains one of the biggest players and I think one where the best is yet to come.
Spain
Spain
isn't all about Rioja and Sherry although this is undoubtedly what
has put this country on the wine map.
Whilst in the past much of the wine production was of a bulk nature an increase in investment over the past twenty years has done much to change the wine map here.
The introduction of new techniques, technology and a willingness to experiment and try new varieties has also led to the explosion in quality and variety that now makes up much of what is best about Spanish wines.
Portugal
A country made famous by its production of Port and Madeira is just
as good a producer now of quality wines.
The country offers a variety of growing conditions from the wet and cool areas close to the sea which produce the acidic Vinho Verde wines. To the more sheltered , sunnier and warmer climate on the slopes in the North East of the country where the majority of the quality wines are produced.
Germany
Once upon a time this was all about Niersteiner, Black Tower,
Liebfraumilch and a number of other very nasty sweet mass produced
wines.
A real shame for the majority of German winemakers who make a quality product in small amounts that remain often the best example of their type in the world.
Their Rieslings have a real finesse to them and a complexity and structure that is often missing in more accessible new world examples.
Growing condtions and harvesting are often difficult with the steep slopes but nonetheless their perseverance results in a magical product well worth trying.
The supermarkets favourite producing good quality, easily marketed and well priced volume wines that do exactly what it says on the bottle!
That said the really exciting wines are often to be found in the regions of Western Australia where vineyards and production are anything but mass produced.
The growing conditions and climate provide the perfect tools for the winemaker and this shows in the quality that is almost invariably offered by these more exclusive vineyard operations.
There is almost certainly going to be an example of something for everyone in this country. In some respects their failing is recently in providing almost too much choice for the buying public resulting in oversupply and an explosion in Australian vineyards.
Nonetheless it remains an adventurous winemaking country which now sits at the top of the tree for sales although it only produces a small quantity in terms of global production.
New Zealand
A country whose
production on the world scale is miniscule and yet in terms of
quality is one of the most significant producers.
Put on the map with its world class Sauvignon Blanc but undoubtedly not a one-trick pony. With world class Pinot Noir making a real statement there are also a whole host of other varietals making their presence felt.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling are all rising stars. Its also not just the Cloudy Bay's that are making an impression either. There are a plethora of estates making their name right across the growing spectrum and they are defiantely here to stay.
With the UK as their top export market New Zealand remains an
important wine making country to the UK consumer.
South Africa
One of my
favourite countries and one where there are some real gems.
The growing area is reasonably small and only in the south of the country but there remains a wide variety of grapes including the prevalent Chenin Blanc.
This is not a country of huge numbers of prestigious wineries, more a good number of solid well performing and consistent wines.
That said there are some stunning examples of wines that are well
sought after.
South America
Who would
believe that Argentina is the fifth biggest wine producing country
in the world.
Together with Chile and Uruguay they make up a fascinating proposition. Growing the vast majority of international grape varieties with increasing expertise, either imported or indigenous their wines are rapidly developing a place in the UK market.
Using increasingly modern facilities and technologies there are a number of emerging stars. Additionally as profile European Houses get more involved such as Chateau Lafite and Miguel Torres it is inevitable that some superb wines are going to establish this group of countries as an essential part of the global winemap.
England
We are blessed with one of the largest choices of wine available on
the planet, yet we often overlook what is on our doorstep!
With producers such as Nyetimber, Chapel Down, Denbies, Three Choirs, Camel Valley... the list goes on but you should be getting the idea.
Quality is getting better and better as are the yields and availability. No longer are the owners mad entrepreneurs but instead serious businessmen and women now beginning to make an impression.
Ignore them and the loss is definitely yours!
Red or White. Evolution House, 46 Castle Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire.BA14
8AY.
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