Vitis Vinifera - Tracing the Origins of Wine

Wine is a kind of drink extracted from the Vitis Vinifera plant, more commonly known as the grape vine. This is probably one of the most popular drinks in the world today. Up to date, there are now a wide variety of wines available in the market at varying prices. Either way, the drink has always been a symbol of celebration and gatherings. But before you go out and start opening another bottle, take time to read on and trace back the origin and history of the world's most favorite drink.

Some may think that Vitis Vinifera wine farms and its origins came from the European continent alone (which is also the area most popular for world-class wines at present), but the fact is, the East has its very own wine history as well. The earliest record that mention of the grape plant being used as a drink was dated all the way back from China, about 9,000 year ago.

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Home Wine Making - Labels and Other Supplies

Making wine at home involves a lot more than just growing the grapes and making wine out of them. There is a whole science around bottling and the best way to do it. In this article we take a look at some aspects of bottling including choosing labels and corking.

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Food That Goes Best With Chardonnay Wine

The world-renowned Chardonnay wine is extracted from a specific kind of grape known in the grape growing and wine industry as the Chardonnay grape. These vines are most popularly grown in an area in France called Burgundy, where people have perfected the art of how to grow grapes, and produce one of the most delicious white wines in the market. The original taste of the grapes is actually not that distinct and strong. As a result, many wine makers combine them with other ingredients to make their own unique tasting Chardonnay wine.

Many wine experts believe that it is quite difficult to pair Chardonnay wine with food because of its very subtle taste. But nonetheless, it can still be done. Listed below are the best kinds of food and dishes that you can pair with that perfect bottle of Chardonnay.

1. Sauces that are creamy - This is considered to be one of the best kinds of dishes to pair with Chardonnay wines. Cream based sauces with pieces of poultry are heavenly with this white wine. Since properly cooked chicken does not have a strong taste, it will allow you to savor the taste of Chardonnay grapes at the same time. This makes them a perfect combination.
2. Fish - Fish such as salmon and seafood like oysters help to bring out the excellent flavor of citrus that the Chardonnay grape is famous for. Of course, seafood needs to be cooked just right, with just the right amount of spices to neutralize its strong flavor and not overpower the wine.
   
3. Subtle pork dishes - Subtle pork dishes like that from the Caribbean can also go perfect with that bottle of Chardonnay. This is because food from the Caribbean is normally subtle and not very spicy. This makes it the perfect food to serve with Chardonnay wine, allowing you to savor that Chardonnay grape taste.
   
4. Fruits - Wines are best paired with foods that basically have the same tastes. Since Chardonnay has the flavor of fruit, it's an excellent wine to serve with fresh fruit like apple slices or cut mangoes.
   
5. Cheeses - Another serving suggestion is smoked cheese, examples of which are Gouda and Jack cheeses. These cheeses are good since they do not leave a strong aftertaste that could reduce the ability to taste the Chardonnay grape flavor.
   
6. And last but not the least -Chardonnay can be enjoyed just as wonderfully when taken as it is. For the best taste it should be chilled to a temperate of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Having a glass that is a bit too cold may numb your taste and prevent you from tasting the wine's full flavor.

Another Tip - What you need to stay away from are the tomato based dishes. Tomato sauces have a sharp and very acidic taste that does not blend well with the subtle and buttery taste of the Chardonnay grape.

So if you want to enjoy that meal to its fullest, make sure that you have the perfect wine that with it that will complement the flavor and the taste of your food. So be prepared to awe your guests by using these serving suggestions to complement that bottle of Chardonnay wine that you've been saving!

The Vitis Vinifera Plant And How It's Used To Make Wine

Wine is a kind of drink extracted from the Vitis Vinifera plant, more commonly known as the grape vine. This popular beverage has become a favorite of many all over the world. A huge selection of different wines can be found, from cheap to very expensive in price. When one thinks of a joyous occasion, one can certainly be sure that it will be accompanied by wine. Have you ever thought about where this drink came from? This article will give you a brief look at the origin of wine.

Most people are under the impression that Vitis Vinifera is only grown in Europe, however did you know that wine as we know it actually originated from Asia? 9,000 year old records have been discovered from China which talk about a drink made from the grape plant. This drink was made from grape juice, rice that was fermented and then mixed with honey. Archaeologists have also found tartaric acid in jar bottoms which validates this research. It is not know exactly what grape species was used to make wine, but we can assume that some local grape variety was used. This kind of substance was also discovered in some jars around Western Asia, particularly Iran, but at an earlier date.

Even before wine was made in the east, wine from Vitis Vinifera was been made in Europe. 12,000 year old records have been found from Greece that talk about the use of grape seeds and grape skins. Grapes were an extremely popular vegetation in the European continent for its cool climate and good, fertile soil. This is also one of the main elements for great tasting wine products in the area. In the past, wine drinking was considered as a social status where only the high and the mighty had the privilege of feasting on such drinks. Servants of rich people used to serve their masters and visitors many glasses filled with wine all day.

Over the years, people, particularly the Europeans have learned to perfect the art of grape growing and the wine making process. From the traditional manual pressing, wines today are now extracted through machines. As wine making became widespread and its products more popular all throughout the world, more and more countries started learning how to grow grapes and cultivating their own farms to produce the drink.

Vitis Vinifera is currently one of the most popular plants grown all over the world. The enjoyment of wine is no longer limited to only the high and mighty, but to average people too. Wines now come in a huge range of prices, with various tastes and alcohol content in them. In the end, this lowly plant has indeed come a long way from its humble beginnings to be dubbed as the world's most favorite drink.

5 Popular Red Wine Grape Varieties

Red wines are rich wines that come from a variety of red grapes that grow all over the world. Depending upon the terrain of the earth that yields the grapes, the flavors of the grapes will produce wines that might vary wildly in flavor, but are all very tasty just the same. The wine grape varieties that produce the wines that we love are grown in the U.S., Australia, France, Italy, Spain, Chile, and in other smaller regions. Here is a look at five of the wine grape varieties that produce some of the best red wines on the market, past and present.

The Durif Grape: This grape was developed by a French doctor, Dr. Durif in 1800s. He created this wine, by mutating the breed with another wine grape. The Durif grape is a cross of the Syrah grape, and the Pelourisn grape. When these two wine grape varieties were blended together, they formed a wine that is known as the Petit Sirah, especially in the U. S. It grows well in warmer climates, such as California. The Durif was used for the production of Burgundy wines from the 50s to the 70s when Burgundy wine was popular on the market.

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The Process Of Making Homemade Wine

Making homemade wine is quickly growing as a hobby among wine enthusiasts around the world. As wine making kits and books become more readily available, it has become an easily achievable goal for anyone who is persistent enough to perfect the art. Why should anyone try making homemade wine? There are so many choices of wines available on any shelf, perhaps you wonder if it is worth the time to make your own.

It is true that it is a lengthy process, but the satisfaction of doing it yourself and long-run savings make it a very feasible undertaking. Making homemade wine also allows you to try unique flavor combinations, from not just grapes, but many other fruits. Creating your own flavors means you can use grapes, peaches, berries and even apples.

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5 Popular White Wine Grape Varieties

White wines come from the grape varieties around the world that produce these various types of wine. Unlike the grape varieties used to make red wine that are grown in the warmer regions, the grape varieties that are used to produce white wine are grown in regions with colder temperatures. However, some of these grape varieties come out of South Africa, which is deep into the southern hemisphere. There are many cool days and nights there as well.

While red wines are rich in texture and flavor, white wines are quite the opposite. They have a light body and a subtle taste as well. They go very well with poultry, and seafood. They can be enjoyed at any time of year, but because of their light and refreshing taste, they are welcome and wonderful during the hot summer months. Here is a look at the grapes that produce white wines:

Chardonnay: This grape is grown throughout the world and as a result it produces probably the most popular white wine of all, known by the same name. The white Burgundy wine of France is also made of these grapes. The wine produced from these grapes is rich and buttery in flavor. Chardonnay wine is relatively inexpensive since it thrives everywhere and it's an excellent accompaniment to both chicken and fish.

Pinot Gris: These grapes are used for the Pinot Grigio wine out of Italy. This wine has a medium body and a taste of fruit and flowers. This wine goes wonderful with poultry, seafood, and spicy food. This is a very delicious wine that should be enjoyed chilled.

The Riesling Grape: This grape is known for being produced out of Germany. It's generally found in places with cold weather. This, of course, includes Germany but it is also found in other parts of northern Europe such as the Alsace region in the north of France. The wine from these grapes is very sweet. Riesling is very popular, and the wine is very easy to find.

Scheurebe: These wine grape varieties are grown almost always in Germany. The wine produced from these grapes has a fruity flavor that is crisp. They have dark berry notes to them. These wines are best served with seafood.

The Chenin Blanc Grape: These are very high yielding wine grape varieties. They are grown in South Africa, France, and the U.S. in California.  The wine produced from these grapes is very crispy and acidic. This wine would go well with a light snack, and with a light summer meal.

An important thing to remember when serving white wines is that they are generally served chilled. These make wonderful light wines for summer dinners, and for social events.

Visit Grape Growing School for more information on grape growing and how to grow grapes.