Monthly Archives: September 2018

Wine tourism is extremely popular. Wine enthusiasts travel around the world searching for new types, flavors, aromas, and the best wines.

French Vineyards are among the best in the world, and certainly boast some of the oldest wineries and vineyards in existence.

France is one of the most historic wine producers, with grape cultivation and wine production before Medieval Period. They have some of the largest and richest vineyards in Europe, and beautiful French wine regions to enjoy just off of French highways. Furthermore, these French vineyards and wineries dominate Southern France.

Domaine Les Cascades

Located in Ribaute, by a small town in Languedoc-Rosellón, Domaine Les Cascades is a cozy bed & breakfast. Four minutes away from the beach and 3km away from Lagrasse, one of the most beautiful locations in France.

Domaine Les Cascades stands out for its organic wine. A little vineyard with only six acres breeds a very familiar and traditional environment. It houses a winery with a decent variety, and amazing quality of wine. Furthermore, the land is fertilized by the owner pets.

Domaine Treloar

The second spot on our list is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. In the town of Roussillon. Suprisingly, Domaine Treloar has an amazing range of wines to choose from, despite the limited size of its vineyard.

First, the owners do all the work in the vineyards and winery themselves. Secondly, efforts are made to create the best wine at lower costs possible, though quantities are very limited.

Ultimately, The reputation of the wines produced from this vineyard are amazing. Furthermore, the wines can be found tables of Michelin-star restaurants around the world. Definitely, one of the best spots in Southern France.

Look out for French Canadian wines! An interesting take on the classics!

Light–Bodied Reds

Light-bodied reds have delicate red fruit flavors. As well as low tannins, bright acidity, and low alcohol content (below 12.5%). Examples include Schiava, Gamay, and Pinot Noir.

To make the wine crisp, refreshing and intensify its flavor, serve light-bodied reds at 53.6 -60.8°F (12-16°C).

Rosé Wine

Contrary to popular belief, rosé wine is not a product of mixing red and white grapes. It is from red “black” grapes vinified in the same way as white wines. But, its flavor profile is similar to that of red wine, with 10.5% – 15% alcohol content.  Examples include Grenache Rosé, Pinot Noir Rosé and Pink Moscat.

Rosé wine can either be dry, fruity or full-bodied. To ensure you get the rich red fruit or light, refreshing wine flavors, serve rosé chilled at 53.6 – 59°F (12-15°C). Note: The drier the rosé, the lower the temperature should be. While the sweeter the rosé, the higher the serving temperature.

Properly serving wine is a crucial and amazing part of setting up your own wine tastings with friends!

Sparkling Wine Temperature Guide

Sparkling wine has bubbles because of the large quantity of carbon dioxide in it. Champagne is the most famous sparkling wine. It is from the Champagne region of France. However, other regions in the world produce sparkling wine including white, rosé and red.

The sparkling wine’s serving temperature depends on the specific wine. A low temperature of 46.4°F (8°C) is excellent for serving sweet, fragrant, white sparkling wine such as Dry Prosecco. A higher temperature of 50-53.6°F (10-12°C) is ideal for serving red and sweet sparkling wine, such as Brachetto d’Acqui.

A high temperature of 57.2°F (14°C) is great for serving dry sparkling wine, with high tannins such as Most Cava and Most Brut. This is because the high temperature disintegrates the tannins and releases the wine fragrance. To bring out the rich flavors and the Champagne bouquet, serve at 46.4-50°F (8 -10°C).

Aged sparkling wine is best served at temperatures of 53.6°F (12°C). This allows the intricate aromas of the wine to form.

Light-Bodied Dry Whites

This wine is lighter, crisper and more watery in the mouth. It also has a low alcohol content. It is best drunk young, (within the first 1–2 years of the vintage date) because of the enhanced acidity and freshness. Examples include Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Serve light-bodied dry whites at 44.6 – 50°F (7-10°C) to allow the light, spicy wine flavors to appear. This allows you to appreciate the crisp and refreshing aspects of the wine.

Full-Bodied whites

Full-bodied whites have vibrant flavors. As they are made using the oak-aging process, which give the wine a creamy and nutty flavor. Full-bodied whites also have higher residual sugar content, higher alcohol and low acidity. Examples include White Rioja, Chardonnay, Trebbiano and Viognier.

To enhance the rich, mature wine flavors, serve it cool between 50-57.2°F (7-10°C).

Fortified Wine

Fortified wine is sweeter and has a higher alcohol content than the average bottle of wine. You achieve fortification by mixing wine with a spirit such as brandy. This increases the volume of alcohol in the wine. Though high in alcohol, fortified wine is fragrant, delicious and presents complex flavors.

To highlight the aroma and sweetness of young, light and fruity fortified wine, serve at 60.8–64.4°F (16-18°C). Increase the freshness of medium-bodied fortified wine by serving the wine at 50-53.6 °F  (10-12°C). And serve older, complex and heavier wine at 48.2 -51.8°F (9-11°C) to enhance the sweetness and alcohol of the wine.

Always remember that, if you serve a red wine when it is too warm, the alcohol taste becomes overpowering. And, white wine that is icy will be sour. Following our wine temperature guide will help you get the most out of wine.