Weekend Winedown

Let's talk about sauvy b, one of the world's most popular and planted grapes! It is literally planted everywhere from Old World to New World, from France to New Zealand, but what I love most about this grape is how it takes on the region's terroir and climate making different and unique hallmark styles multiple regions can call their own. Here are some fun facts about our favourite zippy white wine: • Originated in France, with Bordeaux, Loire Valley, and Southern France all claiming as its original home. • Name comes from the two French words "sauvage" (wild) and "blanc" (white). • 8th most planted wine grape. • Produces dry (crisp and refreshing) to dessert (blended) wines. • Primary Notes: Grass/Herbaceous | Gooseberry | Grapefruit | Honeydew | White Peach • Structure: Lighter Body | No Tannin | High Acidity | Medium Alcohol (11.5-13.5%) • Can be Oak Aged, Ex. Pouilly-Fume (Loire Valley) and Fume Blanc (California) • Serving: Temperature 7-10° in a Wh...

One of my favourite red grapes, Cabernet Franc, is usually overshadowed by their "bigger and bolder" friends (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) and is considered mostly a blending grape. Fun fact, Cabernet Franc is actually one the "parents" of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, so its importance to the world of wine is actually a lot more significant than it gets credit for.  However over the past decade, give or take a handful of years, it has become one of the most planted grapes within Canada.  Cabernet Franc thrives in Canada's shorter growing season and extreme cool climate due to it being an early ripening grape. This also allows for its full expression to unfold in the glass vintage after vintage. Although it is seen as one of Canada's shinning stars, Cabernet Franc has had a long history in France, dating back to the 17th Century, as a varietal expression in Chinon (Loire Valley) and a part of the famous Bordeaux blend.  Hallmarks of Cabernet Fran...

Let's break down what it means when a wine is described as Old World or New World? In short it comes down to place, history/traditions, and whether vitis vinifera originated/was imported. The Old World is Europe and Eastern Europe. These are countries where vitis vinifera originated and winemaking traditions were started. Whereas the New World is everything else, the Americas, Australasia, and South Africa. These countries are usually warmer, vitis vinifera was imported, and traditional winemaking techniques are borrowed then influenced by technology/science. These general statements obviously influence what end ups in the bottle. All making significant differences with the key notes, structure, new oak usage, and labelling.  Old World (Europe) Lighter Body Lower Alcohol Higher Acid Earth, Mineral, Herb, Floral Driven Terroir Made Regional Labelling (ex. Chianti) New World (Everywhere Else) Fuller Body Higher Alcohol Lower Acid Fruit Driven Higher New Oak Usage Higher Extracted Win...