Balance

A harmonic equilibrium among the components of a wine (ACID, ALCOHOL, FRUIT, TANNIN, and so on) such that no one characteristic stands out like a sore thumb. Great wines have balance.

Eighteenth century French kings would accept Madiran wines as payment for taxes. What grape would the royalty have been drinking?

A. Cabernet Sauvignon

B. Malbec

C. Pinot Noir

D. Tannat

Tannat originated in the Basque region of southern France, notably in Madiran near the Pyrénées Mountains. French kings accepted Madiran wines in lieu of currency for taxes. Today, plantings in France have been steadily decreasing, but tannat is now one of the most prominent gapes in Uruguay where it is considered the “national grape.” Doubtful, though, that the president of Uruguay will take the wine instead of pesos for taxes.

Taste Tasmania

Tasmania, the smallest state of Australia, is a triangular, mountainous island in the Southern Ocean, about 150 miles south of Victoria. With its mild, sunny, cool, maritime climate, the island is known for its pinot… Continue reading

Get WineSpeed