Toasting

Charring the inside of new barrels over an open flame. Charring caramelizes the staves of the wood. Wine stored in barrels treated this way will pick up a VANILLIN, toasty character.

Which Greek wine region is famous for the sweet wine vinsanto?

A. Crete

B. Attica

C. Thessaly

D. Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island south of Athens that is famous for vinsanto, a sweet dessert wine reminiscent of the Tuscan dessert wine vin santo. To make vinsanto, the white grape assyrtiko and the red grape mandilaria are first spread out on mats to dry in the sun for one to two weeks. When they achieve a state referred to as half-baked, the grapes are fermented. Afterward, the wine is aged in barrel for a decade, giving it a mellow, rich flavor.

6099

Number of acres of riesling in Washington State, making it (by far) the capital of riesling in the United States. Riesling is the third most planted grape in that state after cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.… Continue reading

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