Smaragd

Austrian term used in the Wachau region of Lower Austria for the ripest grapes and hence fullest bodied wines. Smaragd wines must have a minimum of 12.5 percent alcohol, but most have considerably more. The word smaragd is also the name of a bright green lizard that suns itself in the Wachau vineyards.

What are Helen, Louise, Jessie, Eileen, Marjorie, Nancy, and Elizabeth?

A. The names of the first female winemakers in the United States

B. The names of vineyards in Oregon

C. The names of the first women wine professionals in Britain to achieve the WSET diploma

D. The names of the first female Master Sommeliers in the United States

Many of the top vineyards of the Willamette Valley in Oregon are named after women who have been inspirations in the industry. Helen, Louise, Jessie and Eileen and Marjorie are all vineyards that belong to Cristom. Nancy’s vineyard honors Nancy Ponzi of Ponzi, and Elizabeth’s is named after David Adelsheim’s daughter.

Getting Deliciously Fierce

In the Basque country of northern Spain, tapas bars serve a crisp, resiny white wine called txakoli, which is easier to pronounce than it looks (it’s: shah-ko-LEE). The wine is made from white hondarrabi zuri… Continue reading

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