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Where “Pronouncing the ‘t’ in Merlot” ranks among the eight irritating behaviors most likely to piss off wine enthusiasts. Saying mer LOT was considered slightly more irksome than its close competitor in the verbal faux pas department: pronouncing Moët, MoAY.

Which of the following is not associated with Chenin Blanc?

A. A wine from Vouvray

B. A grape once used extensively in California jug wines

C. A common grape variety planted in South Africa

D. A grape variety historically grown in Sancerre

Chenin Blanc is highly regarded in France and especially in the Loire Valley, but it’s not the grape variety that makes Sancerre. (That would be Sauvignon Blanc.) Elegant and long-lived, Chenin Blanc is the grape that makes the Loire Valley appellations Vouvray and Savennières. It’s also grown throughout the Western Cape of South Africa where it can make stellar wines, especially from old vines. In the past, Chenin Blanc in the U.S. has often been grown at high yields and used for generic jug wines.

Saignée

The term saignée means “bled” in French and refers to the process of making rosé by bleeding or drawing off pink-colored juice from fermenting red grapes. This process also results in concentrating the remaining red… Continue reading

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