Grapes are required for wine production No grapes means no wine
Grape’s are not only a wonderful and tasty fruit, but are also the key ingredient in the production of wine. A liquor that has been around for more than six-thousand years, and still manages to survive the test of time. The production of wine is a long and complicated process that could potentially be drawn out over the course of months or years. This process however, shadows in comparison to the sheer variety and availability of thousands of types of grape’s and their hybrids for use in making wine.
Any wine making professional will tell you that grapes are hands down, the most important part of creating the best wine possible. The different varieties allow for different sweetness, taste, and aroma, among many other things. Contained in the rest of this article are some descriptions of various types of grapes and their resulting wine.
Even though there are many types of grapes, most can basically be classified as one of three subtypes. These subtypes are Native Wild Grape, Native Wine Grape, and last but certainly not least, European Wine Grapes. The distinguishing features that put these various groups apart from one another is there sweetness, aroma, general taste, as well as acidity level. All of which play a key role in the final bottle of wine which sits atop our dinner tables.
The third and final group are called European Wine Grapes, which are also referred to as Vitis Vinifera. Grapes contained in this category are ones such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Chardonnay, just to name a few. In this classification also contains the majority of the most popular hybrid grapes such as Reliance, Foch, Chambourcin and Vignoles. Compared to the other two grape groups, this is considered to be the sweetest group of all having a much higher concentration of sugar.
Typically, the Merlot grape is grown in France, Italy, and Australia. However more recently, vineyards have begun to grow this grape in California and Washington states. Last and certainly not least on this list of wine making grapes is Zinfandel. Most of this type of grape are grown in California. Depending on grow time and fermentation cycle, this wine may have either a fruity or spicy taste in either the red wine or white wine categories. Wine making and grapes go hand in hand and without grapes, wine is literally impossible.