|
Types of Other Wines
Several varieties of wine can be made with the same grapes as regular reds
and whites. But using different techniques produces some different wines.
Many sparkling wines made after the style of Champagne, but only those made
in that Champagne region in the north of France, according to the painstaking
Méthode Champenoise, can rightfully be called Champagne. All others should be
labeled as Sparkling Wine.
Champagne and sparkling wines are produced by the process called "Méthode
Champenoise." After the grapes are pressed and fermented for the first time,
they are blended, and the wine is bottled and temporarily capped. Then comes
the second fermentation. Sugar and yeast are added, and this time, the carbon
dioxide is kept inside the bottle. The resulting sediment is extracted through
a process of racking. The bottles are progressively turned upside down until
all the sediment is collected in the neck. The necks are then frozen and the
sediment is disgorged. After this phase, the winemaker may decide to add sugar
to sweeten the wine. Finally the wine is corked. Some wines move through this
process in a couple of months, while others are aged after the racking phase
to build greater complexity and depth.
Most Americans probably have the impression that all kosher wines are sweet
and red. But more and more wineries from around the world are now producing
kosher wines from fine varietal grapes. Kosher wines are produced in
accordance with rules governing the production of kosher wines. Generally only
Sabbath-observing Jews can handle the grapes and wine at the winery, and only
100% kosher materials may be used in the wine-making, process. Most of the
newer kosher wineries are aiming to produce quality varietal wines that can
compare and compete with non-kosher wines, wines that can be enjoyed for their
quality as well as for the fact that they are kosher.
Perhaps best known in Provence and Tavel, rose is a great pink wine. Rose
is rarely complex, and not to be aged. A good rose is tart and fruity, and can
cut through the garlicky aioli so often accompanying fish and fish stews in
the Mediterranean region. They are also good choices for cold luncheons,
picnics and buffets. Roses are made from red wine grapes, but during
fermentation there is minimal contact with the grape skin, so they don't pick
up much color from the skins.
White Zinfandel is a pink wine made in from early-picked Zinfandel grapes.
The red grapes are quickly separated from the grape skins during the crushing
and fermentation process, so that the resulting wine is very light pink.
Because early-picked grapes are usually high in acidity, most White Zinfandels
are made in a sweet style to balance the acidity. Sutter Home Winery was one
of the first wineries to promote White Zinfandels.
Back to Types of
Wine |
