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.

Bandol, an appellation in Provence, France, is famous for red wine made from at least 50% of this grape.

A. Merlot

B. Macabeo

C. Malbec

D. Mourvèdre

While much of Provence is famous for its rosé, Bandol is famous for its deep, spicy, structured reds that must be a minimum of 50% mourvèdre. In other parts of the world, mourvèdre is known as monastrell (in Spain) and mataró (in Portugal and parts of the New World).

Riddling

Riddling (remuage in French) is the term for turning and upending Champagne bottles while the sparkling wine rests in the winery’s cellars. The reason for riddling: Champagnes and top sparkling wines go through a second… Continue reading

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