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There are so many different types of wines available for you to taste. It would be a shame to become bogged down in local, regional, national and even continental snobbery. The only way to know what you truly prefer is to try wines from both the New and Old Worlds. Below is a brief compilation of a few countries, wine regions, and broad wine divisions.
• Argentina: Noted region of production is Mendoza. White and red wines are grown. Red wines derived from Malbec grapes, a French variety from Bordeaux, are becoming increasing well known internationally.
• Australia: There are still more white grapes planted than red. Shiraz/Syrah grapes are popular. Regions for production include
Southern Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia. Australian wines were once scorned as being plonk. This has changed. Major products include table wines such as Yellow Tail.
• Austria: White wines predominate. There are four wine regions: Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria, and Vienna.
• Canada: Canada is a young producer of wines. Ontario and British Columbia are the major regions for production. Wine production is also taking place in Nova Scotia and Quebec. Canada is best known for its Ice Wines.
• Chile: Mainly fine white wines. Regions include Aconcagua, Casablanca, Maipa Rapel and Curicó. Almost all the wines produced are dry.
• France: Alsace (mostly dry, white wine), Loire Valley (mostly white), Bordeaux (red and white), Burgundy (red and white), Champagne (sparkling), Provence (red, white, rosé).
• Germany: Think only in white. The Riesling grape is the grape in the country. There are 13 regions including Pfalz, Mosel-SaarRuwer, Rheinhessen, Nahe, and Rheingau. The most famous wine from Germany is Liebfraumilch, a medium-dry white wine.
• Italy: Native grape varieties predominate. They produce both red and white wines – expensive and inexpensive. There are at least 20 wine producing regions. Major regions are Piedmont (reds), Veneto (whites and reds) and Tuscany (whites and reds). Chianti is probably the best-known Italian wine.
• New Zealand: Red and white wines. There are ten wine regions on the North Island and South Island. The best known is Marlborough. Others include Martinborough and Hawke’s Bay.
• Portugal: Home to dessert wines such as Port. Medium Rosés are also popular products. Increasingly, the white wine, Vinho Verde, is emerging as one of Portugal’s “new” table wines. Wine producing regions include Minho, Douro, and Alentejo.
• South Africa: White wines predominate. Regions include Stellebosch, Paarl, Robertson, and Overberg. The grape Chenin Blanc has dominated. At one time, it covered 85% of all plantings.
• Spain: This is red wine country. Regions include La Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Navarra, Sherry District, and Cataluña. Tempranillo is the principal grape grown in La Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The wine to try is Rioja, preferably ’89, ’90 or ’91.
• United States: Wines are both red and white. The States housing the 150 American Viticultural Areas (AVA) are California, Oregon, Washington State, and New York. The United States is known for varietal wines. Merlot, ’95 from the Alexander Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon ’94 or ’95 from the Napa Valley are two wines worth trying.