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Ontario, Canada Wine

Wine Touring – Prince Edward County, Canada
By Nagib Georges Araman

The United States has the beautiful Napa Valley and European countries like Spain, France and Italy have their respected wine regions but Canada’s very own Prince Edward County is making leaps and bounds in the field of international wine tourism.

Situated in southeastern Ontario and sitting on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, Prince Edward County has become a popular getaway to city dwellers, especially because it’s only a 3 to 4-hour drive from Toronto and Montreal. Although it is relatively new to the international wine scene, Prince Edward now offers its guests more than 40 wineries. Pinor Noir is a specialty of the region, and some of the popular brands to sample are Hubbs Creek and Norman Hardie.

Established in 2001, Black Prince Winery was one of the first wineries to exist in the County. Situated in the town of Picton, this winery covers 50 acres of land, which includes a vineyard that spans to 10 acres. Black Prince has a tasting center that provides one of the region’s largest wine selections, which include Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It is also equipped with a vinegar cellar and an on-site barrel maker.

Another prominent winery in the County is the Casa-Dea Estates.The winery was one of the first founded in Prince Edward and is located on Greer Road in Wellington. Since it’s opening it has emerged as one of the largest in Prince Edward. It’s picturesque 65-acre vineyard features grape varieties like Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. Casa-Dea also houses an Italian restaurant called La Pergola. The property also has banquet facilities ideal for weddings and outdoor events.

The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery is another property that has made a solid reputation in terms of winemaking. The Grange boasts one of the largest vineyards in the County. Its scenic pastoral setting has also made it a favorite among frequent visitors and photographers.

Winery tours are also made extra special in Prince Edward because of the sweeping landscape, adorned with undulating lush hills and rugged coastline. Pair your wine with regional cuisine offering the freshest ingredients which are grown in the region as well. A visit to Prince Edward Country these days, can also mean visiting not only wineries, but also organic farms, cheese factories and breweries. To explore over 20 wineries, cheese shops, restaurants and breweries, consider a tour on the Taste Trail.

If you want to take a break from wine tasting, you can drop by the incredible Sandbanks Provincial Park, where you can enjoy picturesque dunes and a breathtaking white-sand beach. For some quality shopping, make your way to Main Street in Bloomfield, where you have a wide range of shops and fashion boutiques to choose from. Aside from being a wine haven, Prince Edward has unofficially become a hub for the artistic-minded. The Arts Trail is a designated route that directs you to the most prominent galleries and art studio in the county.

If you have time, plan a visit to Prince Edward for more than just a day as there are plenty of things to do and places to visit in the County. As for accommodation, there is a range of charming and cozy bed and breakfasts that will make you feel right at home!

http://yourbesttraveler.com
TRANSFORMING THE WAY WE TRAVEL

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Pinot Noir

A Comprehensive Guide to Pinot Noir Wine
By Alfred Ardis

In the world of wines, Pinot Noir is a top contender. This variety is striking for its flavor and ability to pair with virtually any type of food. Known as an ancient grape of France, Cistercian monks grew this fruit in their monasteries in Burgundy.

Regions of Origin

Pinot Noir comes from grapes grown in a variety of regions. France boasts the most vineyards with over 75,000 acres. The United States comes in at a close second. Germany, New Zealand, Italy, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa are also countries that grow these grapes. Dijon, France, is the most famous location that produces this wine.

Taste Details

Many connoisseurs consider Pinot Noir to be a fickle wine with a great flavor range. Both vintage and growing location have a significant impact on flavor.

– Grapes grown in France usually have a light flavor and color. People may describe this taste as having floral and sweet undertones.

– In Germany, the wine produced has an earthy flavor with touches of cherry and raspberry.

– Italian Pinot comes from vineyards located in this country’s cooler climate. Although these varieties still have a fruitiness, they also have other distinctive flavors such as clove, white pepper, and tobacco. Italians like to boast that their product has a higher alcohol content.

– The wine produced in California is bolder and fruitier. Vineyards offer interesting flavors such as black raspberry, black cherry, and caramel. In Oregon, the product tends to have a lighter color and a tart flavor.

– New Zealanders are proud of their spicy and rich grapes that create a strong wine. The Australian variety is similar to the New Zealand one; however, it tends to be a bit sweeter.

– South American wine resembles that of the product produced by the United States. However, it often has more of a floral undertone than a fruity one.

Growing Details

The grapes used to produce Pinot Noir are difficult to grow. They have thin skins, and they tend to ripen early in the season. Farmers must care for this fruit attentively to ensure that it thrives. It’s only with precise climate and patient tending that these grapes will grow well. For optimal growth, plants need cool temperatures, plenty of spacing between vines, and sandy soil. Plants grown in warm areas usually produce grapes that are milder in both flavor and color. A number of diseases can plague this fruit. This plant is also susceptible to point mutations. It’s typical to find vines with unique shoots that do not resemble any other ones existing on the same plant. A farmer might capitalize on this type of mutation by using it to propagate new plants.

Pinot Noir is commonly known by a variety of names. Other names include Franc Pineau, Salvagnin, Morillon, Pineau de Bourgoyne, and Auvernat. Different countries have different names for the wine.

Although the color of this product tends to be pale despite cool growing conditions, the flavor is anything but mild.

For more information on Pinot Noir, visit http://www.duckpondcellars.com/.

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Argentina Wine

Why Try Argentinean Wine? Why Not?
By Steven Lay

Every place in the world that produces wine has some unique characteristics that impact the aromas and flavors of their wine. Argentina’s most visual awe-inspiring feature is the backdrop of the Andes Mountains to the West. The Andes give most of the vineyards cool night winds and sun filled days; most importantly the Andes give the high altitude vineyards the irrigation from the snow melt in the summer.

Since the 1550’s have been vineyards in Argentina and since the late 16th century the Mendoza area has been recognized as a premier wine grape growing region. “But it wasn’t until 1880 that a French botanist planted the first French grape varieties in the area. Italian and Spanish premium varieties were similarly introduced by immigrant wine makers from those countries,” according the Argentina Wine Guide.

Like California’s San Joaquin Valley and the area around Sacramento, Mendoza would not now be world renown as a wine region without plentiful water; both areas are naturally arid. In addition, Mendoza is at a relatively high elevation relative to traditional vineyards; Mendoza ranges from 2,600 to 5,000 feet above sea level. The Andes provide the irrigation water during the hot summer months and cool breezes at night.

But Argentina is not new to the wine scene, New World by definition, but old world by way of wines. Argentina was originally colonized by the Spaniards but Europeans have followed in the past few hundred years and as a result the varietals that have adapted to the Argentina climate variables have a great deal of European influences. Malbec is the grape that has made Argentina famous, but there are others that are important. In addition to Malbec there are other successful reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. Chardonnay also enjoys great acceptance and growth in the white category.

The following is a recap of the growth in premium wine varietals denoted as a percent change over a 10 year period ending in 2006. Source: Argentina Wine Guide.

Varietal-REDS Chge 2005 vs 2000

Malbec

102%

Bonarda

41%

Cabernet Sauvignon

604%

Syrah

1,440%

Merlot

491%

Tempranillo

-02%

Pinot Noir (Pinot Negro)

500%

Barbera

-10%

Cabernet Franc

300%

Varietal-WHITES Chge 2005 vs 2000

Torront�s

0%

Chardonnay

4,000%

Chenin Blanc

-20%

Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano)

0%

Semillon

0%

Sauvignon Blanc

400%

Sauvignonasse (Sauvignon Vert)

0%

Riesling

-30%

The 6 provinces/regions account for Argentina’s wine industry and this inordinate growth in traditional European varietals.

The most important wine regions of the country are the provinces/regions of: Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, Salta, Catamarca, Rio Negro and the newest being Southern Buenos Aires. The Mendoza province produces more than 70% of the Argentine wine.

Growing Provinces Acres in Vines

Mendoza

366,210

San Juan

116,633

La Rioja

20,262

R�o Negro

7,166

Catamarca

5,930

Salta

4,695

Neuqu�n

2,471

Other provinces (total)

3,212

Over the past couple of decades I have noticed more Argentinean wine on the shelves. It appears that Argentina wine industry has been expanding and the subsequent surplus in wine is going into the export market. Contrary to early history, most Argentinean wine was not high quality and most was consumed in that market. Looking at the U.S. wine industry, a parallel set of circumstances exist whereby excess production of quality wines go to the export market-European Union’s 28 member market to be specific. That export market accounts for $622 million in sales and 40% of U.S. wine exports in 2015, according to the Wine Institute. The total wine export market for the U.S. was $1.61 billion.

Do not think Argentina is not serious about the importance of wine on the World stage and the economic impact it has on a relatively small country; approximately 25% the size of the U.S. Some of the newer wineries are architectural marvels and produce award winning wines that rival the finest in the World. The production technologies in newer Argentinean wineries are second to none. The industry is also being populated by major wine producers and wine makers famous in the U.S. and Europe.

Today, some well-known wine consultants have put their stakes in the ground in Mendoza; such as Michel Rolland from France and Paul Hobbs from Napa and Sonoma, California. Until his death in 2011 Ward Lay, his father was the founder of Frito-Lay, was the owner of a new start-up winery that produces award winning wines. The name of that winery is Andeluna.

Just like in the U.S. there are small family operated wineries and large conglomerates, but the majority realize that the focus must be on quality. With 1,300 wineries in Argentina, that compares to 6,225 in the U.S. (with 26,000 vineyards). With a small population, smaller land mass, and impressive production numbers it is impressive what Argentina’s wine industry has accomplished. It also explains why we will see more Argentinean wine.

Mr. Lay started Image of Wine http://www.imageofwine.com to manufacture and sell high end wine accessories to corporations as gifts and branding items. These are items may be personalized.

All products are custom manufactured and recognized for their quality. Inquiries are welcomed by calling: 702-289-4167.

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Champagne

Romance Strawberries Champagne Glasses

Who Could Possibly Turn Down a Glass of Bubbles?
By Deborah Carpenter

Geographically limited to a town in France, Champagne is unable to be manufactured or produced in any other location in the world other than Champagne itself. Similar to the Italian equivalent Prosecco, this means it has an element of speciality to it unlike other sparkling wines. But who exactly created Champagne? Dom Perignon himself of course! A monk in the 17th century, he created Champagne wine which was soon popularised by King Louis XIV, who loved it so much.

But the drink created by Dom Perignon was a light red wine without the special fizz that is so widely associated with it today. It wasn’t until the French, in the 18th Century, decided that bubbles were actually good for your health that they were introduced to create the effervescent drink. Today, the Dom Perignon brand is a vintage form of Champagne, with rare bottles being considered as collectors’ items, and sold for over �1000 each! There are other far more affordable brands from the Champagne region, such as Mo�t & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot.

It is estimated that the popular sparkling wine we have today can hold up to approximately 49 million bubbles in a 750ml bottle – that’s a lot of bubbles! This amount of bubbles means Champagne has three times the gas than beer, and the cork can reach speeds up to 40mph if it isn’t popped correctly and safely! So be careful when you’re cracking open your new bottle of Champagne!

So how do we drink our beloved beverage? There are traditionally two types of Champagne glasses, the flute and the coupe glass! Legend has it that the coupe was modelled on Marie Antoinette’s breast shape, as an ode to her love of the drink. Although there’s no evidence of this, it’s still a romantic idea of the decadence associated with the bubbly drink.

In reality, the bowl type glass was created in England in the 17th Century and then taken to France. It is with this style of glass that makes it possible to create incredible towering glass fountains which look stunning at glamorous events and weddings.

In recent years, the flute glass has become the glass associated with Champagne for its ability to keep the drink cold and bubbling for as long as possible. Loved globally for its light, refreshing taste and exciting fizz, the flute has been designed with scientific reasoning to ensure the drink is enjoyed to its maximum capability. For example, the bubble trains, called ‘collerettes’, keep darting up the side of your glass whilst you drink your Champagne because the flute glass is shaped in a specific way. As it thins out towards the top of the glass, the reduced surface area retains the carbonation process of the bubbles for longer! The lengthy stem of the glass is also designed specifically to be held in order for the temperature of the drink to remain unaffected by those holding it. In extreme cases of etiquette, only the base of the glass will be touched.

You can choose from a selection of Champagne gift hampers and glassware over at Smart Gift Solutions, many of which can be personalised to suit any occasion and to create the perfect keepsake gift.

For an amazing range of unique champagne gifts to celebrate any special occasion visit Smart Gift Solutions… with next day delivery, including Saturday, and International delivery options together with lots of free add-ons such as printed ribbon and photo cards… let us help solve your gift dilemmas!

For all enquiries you can send an email or give us a call…

http://www.smartgiftsolutions.co.uk
e: sales@smartgiftsolutions.co.uk
t: 0870 609 3448

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Drinking Wine

Here Is A Great Source Of Information And Ideas About Wine
By Janna Limbaz

Do you feel like you’re out of the loop when it comes to entertaining or cooking with wine? Perhaps you don’t know what is good, or perhaps you’re not sure about correlating your use of wine with the foods you eat. Learn more by reading this article, and find out more about wine.

Do not buy large quantities of a wine you like. Your preferences will change quickly as you discover new wines and you might regret spending your money on a wine you will eventually come to consider as average. Purchase small quantities and keep trying new wines to expand your horizons.

If you are having red meats, stick to red wine. This is the general principle, and should rarely be veered away from. Red wine helps to bring out the flavor in the steak or meat that you choose and vice versa, giving you the best possible experience while you are eating lunch or dinner.

Select the right glasses when tasting wine or serving it. It is best to use a clear glass so you can look at the color of the wine. Choose a glass with a long stem and a round shape so you can easily swirl the wine. You should avoid using glasses that can contain more than twenty two ounces.

Champagne

If you are in the market for champagne for a wedding or other festive event, consider a sparkling wine instead. Sparkling wines are typically from California, and they taste similar to a Champagne. They are almost always less expensive, making it easier to afford a large quantity for big events.

Effervescent wines and champagne are meant to be served chilled. A white wine served at a different temperature will not expose the flavors that you deserve to experience. Chill your champagne for a few hours in the fridge before drinking it.

Dessert wines are a great choice for post-dinner drinking. There are many dessert wines including California Port, Italian Moscato and French Champagne. Sipping on this wine after you eat allows you to relax and wind down after a great meal.

Weddings are not the only occasion for drinking champagne. It is a tragedy that champagne is frequently used only for special occasions. Champagne accompanies many different foods very well. This drink also cleanses your palate, in addition to combining wonderfully with your meal. Champagne can be paired quite well with foods of the salty variety.

If you want to surprise your guests with a delightful and daring choice, you should try serving a sparkling wine. More wineries are releasing their own sparkling wine, and you should be able to find a sparkling version of your favorite wine. A sparkling wine is perfect for a festive occasion if you do not want to serve champagne.

Next time you go to buy a bottle of wine, whether to entertain socially or use to cook, you should be more equipped with the right knowledge. Use what you’ve learned here to make things easier on you. Wine can be used to impress, and you now have the tools.

Send Champagne has been created to showcase a fantastic range of Champagne gifts. Find us at http://www.sendchampagne.co.uk/ to see our collection of Champagne for all occasions.

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Pinot Noir

The Guide to Pinot Noir Wine
By Maria Williams

Pinot Noir is a red wine grape that originated in Burgundy and it is one of the oldest wine spices planted in France. The name is derived from the French words pine and black, pine to describe tightly clustered grapes. Today, Pinot Noir grapes are all around the world. The first historic evidence is associated 2,000 years ago in the French region known as Pasco Robels – this was an ideal soil to produce tightly packed clusters. Some wine experts call it “heartbreak grape” because of the thin skinned grapes capable for early ripening with overwhelming flavour.

The thin skin of these delicate grapes requires diligent management as the balance of the wine can be easily destroyed by intervention. As one of the fines wines in the world, it is recognizable by cherry aroma mixed with strawberries. Soon after the wine ages it can bring the potential to develop “barnyard” aroma and savoury fleshiness with more fruit prominent and cleaner appearance.

The international success of the Pinot Noir as the most highly prized wine is typically evident during the late 1980`s and through the next couple of decades. The 1990`s showed an increase in the world production and sale in several wine growing regions of Australia, Austria, Canada and France. This wine is very fickle and can have quite a range of aromas, depending on the vintage and the earth where it`s grown. The major Pinot Noir produced in Burgundy is usually herbaceous with earthy aromas close to wet leaves. The wine in Germany tends to offer more sweet and fruit aromas which are quite different from Italian Pinot Noir where the climate is much cooler. Pinot Nero, as the Italians call it, tends to have more colour extraction and higher alcohol content.

Australians have identified Victoria and Tasmania as being cool enough for this wine. New Zealand is capable to produce the best Pinot outside Burgundy and certainly there are many fine examples of cooler regions in which the grape can develop interesting flavours. Often described as a difficult grape to deal with, wineries around the world are really passionate about its sensuality for the purpose of making wine. The popular image persist that this type od wine creates a long lasting impression in every person`s memory. The aroma is widely accepted as one of the most complex of all varieties starting with fruits enhanced with cinnamon and mushroom as common spiciness for identifying Pinot Noir. Most of the best Pinot Noirs are bottled under screw caps, which further highlights the fresh, clean fruit of these wines.

There is one component in which Pinot Noir seems naturally quite rich, 3-4 times higher compared to other varieties, especially when it is grown in chiller and more humid environments: resveratrol. While this may not affect the aspects of sensory enjoyment, it may draw the attention of health-conscious consumers.

Pinot Noir is not a simple wine. It is likely that it fascinates everyone by its greater complexity rich with dark fruit aromas and flavours.

If you are curious about how it tastes why don`t you take advantage and order a bottle of Pinot Noir wine from an online liquor store at extremely reasonable prices.

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Prosecco

Prosecco – 12 Things Most People Don’t Know
By Lee E Brannon

12 Things You Never Knew About Prosecco

Prosecco is taking the wine world by storm and has been doing so for the last 10 years. Is there any sign of sales slowing down? Most definitely not! In fact, over the last 3 or 4 years sales of this amazing Italian sparkler have been increasing even faster year on year. Northern Italian vineyards just can’t grow enough of those Glera grapes.

But, whilst we can all see the immense popularity of Prosecco, with new brands appearing on supermarket shelves, in off licences and in online shops almost daily, so it would seem, how much do we wine drinkers actually know about the origins of Prosecco, how it’s made and even what it is? Well, this article aims to answer these questions and more by introducing you, the reader and dedicated wine enthusiast, to 12 things you never knew about Prosecco. All of the facts covered below will enable you to WOW your friends and party guests when you next find yourself pouring glasses of bubbly. So, without further ado, let’s get started:

1) A glass of Prosecco has fewer calories than a glass of wine

It’s true! Your average glass of red wine has around 125 calories and a glass of Prosecco has only about 90 calories. So, if you need to watch your calorie intake but you don’t want to knock wine on the head altogether, switch to Prosecco.

2) An occasional glass of Prosecco is actually good for your health

A number of health studies have been carried out into the potential benefits of drinking a moderate amount of sparkling wine with surprising results. These studies suggest that sparkling wine can actually help your heart by improving blood circulation through the alteration of how your blood vessels work. The polyphenols in the wine, which are antioxidants, increase the availability of nitric oxide in the blood which also helps control blood pressure. The polyphenols come from the grapes that the wine is made with and are also present in other fruits and vegetables. But, and make sure to remember this one, they are also present in chocolate! Before you get too excited, though, we must also remember “Everything in moderation”.

3) The origins of Prosecco

We all know it’s Italian, but where does it come from? The answer to this question is Northern Italy, specifically the nine provinces of Veneto and Fruili Venezia Giulia.

4) Drinking Prosecco lessens your risk of waking with a hangover

There are obvious limitations here, mind you! The point is that, unless you’re drinking a very sweet, budget Prosecco, sparkling wines are much less likely to leave you with a hangover after a few glasses. It’s generally lower in alcohol than most still wines but the fizz brings the feeling of indulgence in spades!

5) It’s less expensive than Champagne

OK, this one’s probably obvious to anyone who’s ever bought Prosecco and Champagne but the point is, that even though there’s a significant price difference between the two products, that indulgent feeling is most definitely still there. Many wine drinkers who are not wild about Champagne, and in fact many dedicated Champagne drinkers, would say that Prosecco has a broader appeal due to its lightness and fruitiness when compared with traditional Champagnes.

6) Differentiating Prosecco brands

As mentioned previously, most brands of Prosecco are made using Glera grapes exclusively. The particular qualities of a brand of Prosecco depend upon where those grapes were grown. Glera grapes grown on the lower slopes of a hillside have very different characteristics from those grown on the higher slopes in more minerally soil. Some brands also blend in small amounts of other grape varieties to introduce required tastes and bouquets.

7) A popping cork can fly at speeds of up to 25mph

Prosecco corks are very light and are highly unlikely to cause damage to the ceiling or the wall, but you do need to make sure no-one has their face in the expected trajectory of the cork and you should definitely aim away from your Mum’s best china!

8) There’s an Italian town named “Prosecco”

The name “Prosecco” is derived from the Italian village of Prosecco which is near Trieste in north-eastern Italy. Prosecco was first mentioned way back in the 16th century and the grapes used to make it were originally called “Prosecco” grapes. Nowadays these grapes are known as “Glera” grapes.

9) Not all Prosecco is sparkling

There are 3 different levels of bubbliness for Prosecco: Spumante, which is the most effervescent, Frizzante, which has a more gentle fizz and Tranquillo, which is a still Prosecco.

10) Prosecco is a genuine rival to Champagne

In 2013, global sales of Prosecco overtook those of Champagne for the first time. Prosecco outsold Champagne by 307 million bottles to 304 million and officially became the World’s favourite sparkler.

11) Bellini cocktails were originally made with Prosecco

Although many wine bar and restaurant recipes contain Champagne as the main sparkler in a Bellini, these popular cocktails were originally made with Prosecco and the balance now seems to be swinging in favour of Prosecco once more as it’s a less expensive and more widely appealing bottle of fizz.

12) The UK consumes more Prosecco than Italy

UK wine consumers drink almost 2.5 times the amount of Prosecco that the Italians drink. We also pay twice as much per litre. It goes without saying that the Prosecco market in the UK is huge!

So, there you have it. Go forth and amaze your friends with your newly acquired knowledge regarding Prosecco. It certainly seems that there are an awful lot of people talking about it at the moment!

Find out even more about Prosecco on the Premier Estates Wine website where you can buy a case or just a single bottle of our award winning Prosecco with free delivery.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lee_E_Brannon/2049518

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Lugana Wine Region

The Lugana Doc Consortium and Its Wines
By Elena Vairani

Lugana is the name of a magical land nestled within the ancient Quadrilateral defence system of the Lake Garda region, bordered by Sirmione and Pozzolengo north and south, Desenzano and Peschiera del Garda east and west (with Lonato del Garda being the firth town). The Lugana wine region encompasses two provinces (Brescia and Verona) and two regions (Lombardy and Veneto) in the morainic plain south of Lake Garda. The white, refined lakeshore native known as Lugana has an illustrious pedigree: although its origin was certified in the 1700′, the viticultural heritage of the area traces back to the Roman Empire. Its unique qualities originate from the beneficial microclimate of the lake, the local clay soil, and a particular variety of grapes named “turbiana” that make it full-bodied, age worthy, and grant it a floral and citrus bouquet. Today Lugana is one of the best-selling Italian wines on the market.

The Trebbiano grapes

Althought production standards foresee the presence of complementary varieties of non-aromatic white grape at a ratio of 10%, today winemakers in the area tend to make Lugana only and exclusively with trebbiano grapes.

This purist approach is possible thanks to a vine that proved to derive from this terroir resources beyond belief for any variety of Trebbiano. The current production standards include five different types of Lugana wine: the basic version, Superior, Reserve, Vendemmia Tardiva (late harvest) and Spumante.

Different types of Lugana wines

The basic Lugana is the driving force behind the entire appellation, its keystone, the quality control gauge for the appellation area: its production range covers almost 90% of the Doc. It’s colour is light straw-yellow with green re- flexes; its aroma is a delicate, subtle mix of floral and almond notes; its taste is harmonious, rich, defined, tight and luscious.

The Lugana Superiore was officially introduced in 1998, and in order to bear this label the wine must age or mature for at least one year after the grapes are harvested. Its profile is more variegated and complex: the colour has a more golden reflexes, with more articulated aromas, hints of wild herbs, chlorophyll, ripe apple, citrus (primarily mandarin), mixed with notes of filbert nuts or spices from the wood used in the aging process (ever less new and green these days, with greater capacity); its mouth feel has greater structure, supported by lively yet supple acidity crossed with a hint of minerals that confer to the wine a very subtle and intriguing “saltiness”.

The Lugana Riserva, introduced with the last revision of the production standards in 2011, is the natural evolution of the Superior: it must age or mature for at least 24 months, 6 of which in a bottle, has brighter colours, more evolved and complex aromas with smoky notes and balsamic reflexes, warmer mineral notes on the palate but otherwise just as enveloping, luscious, and persistent.

First introduced by the standards in 1975 the Spumante version represents a consolidated tradition instead. Today Lugana Spumante is produced using both the Charmat or Martinotti method – autoclave refermentation- and the classic method – bottle refermentation. In the first case, the organoleptic profile is simpler and crisp, with primary notes of citrus and a creamier, more luscious perlage, while in the second is more refined and complex, with a more elegant and dynamic bouquet and a more graceful, crackling perlage.

If you’re interested in Lugana wines, please contact us or visit our website.

Visit our website and you can find a selection of the best Italian wines: http://www.vinitaltour.com

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