Last time, we introduced nine regions that are famous as French wine regions, but this time I would like to introduce wine regions other than France.
France is known as a wine country, but there are many other regions in Europe that are famous for wine making. Please check it out if you want to know more about the wine region.
■ Italy
Italy is one of the most wine-producing countries along with France. Other than 2014, when grapes were not good, wine production is the best in the world since 2012.
In Italy, where wine making is so prosperous that wine is made in all the provinces of 20 throughout the country, wine has the unique charm of wine as well as local cuisine.
The Italian wine region has many mountains and hills and is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, producing a variety of wines. You will be able to enjoy the local cuisine and the wine that is born only there.
There are two regions where winemaking is active in Italy, so here we will introduce what kind of winemaking is done in those two regions.
Piedmont
Piedmont is located in the north of Italy, and is one of the most famous wine regions in Italy. Piedmont is famous as a wine region because it has two typical wine regions.
Barolo is the first wine that represents Piedmont. Barolo is a high-quality red wine called “The King of Wines and the King of Wines” and must meet strict standards in order to be named Barolo. The orange-colored garnet color and violet fragrance are characteristic, and it can be said that the traditional brewing method using a large barrel is also characteristic.
Next up is Barbaresco. This is called “Queen's Wine”. Common to “Barolo” and “Palparesco” is the use of “Neppiolo”, a high-quality grape variety.
● What is “Neppiolo”?
Nepiolo is a grape that is famous as a luxury grape variety. Nepiolo is said to be extremely cultivated, so it cannot be grown anywhere in the world.
Piedmont is located in the northernmost mountainous region of Italy, and is a special region spread out on the foot of the steep mountains of the Alps, making it an ideal environment for the production of Nepiolo. Therefore, it is possible to cultivate Nepiolo and brew delicious wine using Nepiolo.
Piedmont can be said to be a region with a culture of making single-variety wines that make use of the characteristics of Neppiolo.
● Piedmont is the origin of "Asti"
Sweet sparkling wine "Asti" is a popular wine in Japan and around the world. Piedmont is also famous for its Asti. Not only Asti but also the fine foam white wine "Moskirt Dusty" using the same variety as Asti is becoming popular all over the world.
Tuscany
The wines made in Tuscany are considered to be the highest quality wines in Italy, alongside Piedmont wines.
Tuscany is a province located in central Italy, and is known as the largest producer of black grape varieties "Sangiovese", loved throughout Italy.
There are many clones in Sangiovese, and it is said that there are at least 14 types from flavorful and fresh to heavy long-term ripening types.
● What is Super Tuscany?
Super Tuscany is a wine that is made in a modern way using Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. According to the Italian wine rating, Super Tuscan wines are positioned at the end, but high-quality wines are being produced one after another and are attracting worldwide attention.
● "Chanti" also appears on Roman holidays
Red wine "Chanti" made in Tuscany is a popular red wine. Chianti has also appeared in the movie “Roman Holiday” and is a well-known red wine. In recent years, Chianti has been on the rise, and you may want to drink it before the price has gone up.
■ Spain
The sparkling wine called “Cava” at convenience stores and supermarkets in Japan is actually Spanish wine. Spain's wine production ranks second in the world after Italy and France.
Since the summer in Spain is hot, the wine is enjoyed casually by adding soda, ice and fruit in order to enjoy the wine cold.
The Spanish grape variety is Tempranillo. It is cultivated all over Spain, and the name varies depending on the land, such as “Sensibel” and “Tint del Vice”. It has a well-balanced taste with moderate acidity and rich fruit, and when it ages, it may change to an elegant taste similar to Pinot Noir.
A wine called “Super Spanish”, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, mainly Tempranillo, is also popular and recommended for those who want to enjoy cheap European wines.
In Spain, Garnacha (a grape varieties called “Grenache” in Australia and France) is grown for red wine grapes, and Alvarino and Eilen are grown for white wine grapes.
● Spanish wine rating
In Spain, in addition to the rating by production area, the quality grade by aging is also decided. The longer the ripening period is, the higher the quality is, and the superlative one requires aging over 5 years.
[Grade by aging]
Gran Reserva
Red wine requires aging for at least 5 years and white and rose for aging for at least 4 years.
Reserva
Red wine requires aging for at least 3 years and white and rose for aging for at least 2 years.
Kuriansa
Red wine requires aging for at least two years, white and rosé for at least one and a half years.
● Rioja adopting French technology
Rioja is Spain's most famous production area in the basin of the Epro basin. The characteristic of Rioja wines is that there are many wines that have various soils and express a complex taste.
Bordeaux's brewer's group, who escaped from the filoxera that spread throughout France, brought the wine culture to Rioja, which brought Rioja the technique of barrel aging using French oak barrels. As a result, Rioja wines have a longer maturation period than other regions, making it a region where many “Grand Reserva” wines are made.
● Jerez, the main production area of “Sherry”
Jerez faces the Atlantic Ocean and is known as the main source of the world-famous fortified wine “Sherry”. The wind blowing from the Atlantic, called Poniente, damps the vines and softens the dryness in the summer and prevents the leaves from becoming too hot, making Jerez a good area for growing grapes. .
More than 90% of the grapes used in Shelly are white grapes called “Balomino”, which produce a dry, high-quality taste unique to Shelley.
● Pennedes, the main production center of “Kava”
Speaking of Spanish sparkling wine, "Cava" is famous. Penedes in Catalonia is the main production area of Cava and accounts for 90% of Spava production.
There are three main grape varieties used in cava: Macabeo, Charello and Parellada. Cava is an affordable, delicious, and high-quality wine that is popular not only in Spain but worldwide.
■ Germany
Germany is one of the world's wine-producing countries and is located in the northern limit. Taking advantage of its cool climate, grape varieties for white wines such as Riesling, Gewerztraminer, Silvaner and Muller Thurgau are flourishing. In Germany, white wine brewing using the above grape varieties is famous.
Traditionally, German wines were mainly sweet wines, but in recent years there are also dry types that capture global trends, and you can now enjoy a wide variety of wines.
● The world's three most precious wines "Trokenken Beren Auslese"
Precious wine is a wine made from precious grapes made by attaching precious fungi to the surface of white grapes with thin skin. “Trocken Beelen Auslese”, which has the highest rating in German wine rating, is famous as the world ’s three most precious wines, along with “Sauternes” in France and “Tokai” in Hungary.
● Increased quality of red wine
Speaking of Germany, there is an image of white wine, but in fact, the production of red wine has been done for a long time, especially in the south. In particular, red wines using the “Dornfelder” varieties are popular, and they are famous as cheap and high-quality red wines. In recent years, a lot of fruit-rich red wine using “Schweet Burgunder” has been born due to the effects of global warming.
● Most German vineyards are along the river?
Most German vineyards are located on the slopes along the river. Not only does the sunlight hit the grapes efficiently due to the inclination, it can also be said that the amount of sunlight can be increased by reflecting on the water surface. In addition, because it faces the river, the temperature changes gradually, and it is possible to prevent the vines from withering due to sudden cooling.
Grapes ripe on the slopes along the river can produce wines with the highest sweetness and sourness.
● Traditional wine bottle "Box Boytel"
Boxboytel is a bottle unique to the Franconia region of Germany and has a rounded characteristic shape. In order to distinguish it from the fake wine of the unscrupulous wine traders who prevailed in the 18 century, it is said that the wine was put in a box boytel container.
Many breweries in the Franconian region still use boxboytel bottles as a proof of high-quality wine.
● "Classic" and "Selection"
Speaking of Germany, sweet wine was the mainstream, but in recent years dry wine production has also been actively performed. With that trend, the German wine law has been reviewed for dry, high-end wines. In 2000, a new grade of dry wine called “Classic” and “Selection” was born. “Selection” is higher than “Classic” in rank, but both are high-quality wines.
Basic knowledge of German wine: individuality of German wine taste
■ Portugal
Speaking of Portuguese wines, boat wines that are fortified wines are famous. Boat wine is made by a method that stops the fermentation by adding brandy with alcohol content of 77 during the fermentation of wine, and is characterized by its unique sweetness and deep richness. While typical wines range from 10 to 15 alcohol, it can be said that boat wines are slightly higher around 20.
● Boat wine types
There are three main types of boat wine:
・ "Ruby Port" aged over 3 years using black grapes
・ "Tony Port", further aging "Ruby Port" in barrel
・ "White Port" aged 3-5 years using white grapes as raw material
It is also famous for its Madeira wine, a spirit-enriched wine made by adding spirits made from grapes. Madeira wine has a wide range of flavors, from sweet to dry, and is characterized by a smoky scent.
● There are grape varieties that are only grown in Portugal!
Portugal has a long history, and traditional cultivation and brewing methods are inherited. In addition, there are many grape varieties unique to Portugal, and many unique wines exist.
[Main varieties of Portugal]
・ Touriga National (red)
A grape variety that represents Portugal. Often used for port wine.
・ Aragones (red)
It has a strong fruit flavor and a rich flavor.
・ Fernampires (white)
White grape cultivated most in Portugal.
・ Syria (white)
White grape variety suitable for early drinking wine. Produces a fruity and fresh taste.
● The world's largest cork production area
Portugal is an essential cork source for wine. Cork mackerel grows only in a limited area of the Mediterranean coast such as Spain, France and Italy. Portugal has a particularly large area, with the world's top share, with a total share of cork production of approximately 50% and a share of cork products of approximately 75.
The deliciousness of country-specific wines from the perspective of Portugal: Portugal
■ Switzerland
Swiss wine is generally not known, but it is known as one of Europe's leading wine powers for wine lovers. Swiss wines are rarely shipped outside of Europe and are rarely seen in Japan, making them unfamiliar to Japanese people.
There are two main reasons why Swiss wines are not shipped to Japan.
The first reason is that Switzerland has many mountainous areas and is not suitable for vine cultivation, so the selling price is inevitably higher than in other countries.
The second reason is that since most of the Swiss wine produced is sold in Switzerland, the number exported is small in the first place.
For this reason, we recommend that you buy Swiss wine as soon as you see it in Japan.
● Swiss representative white grape "Chasula"
Shasula is a Swiss representative white grape. About 80% of the world's Shasula is produced in Switzerland, and Switzerland can be said to be the world's leading Shasula producer.
White wines made with Chasselas are characterized by a unique taste with a complex aroma and delicate nuances. When combined with Swiss cheese fondue using white wine, there is no doubt that it will be exquisite!
● Swiss red wine is Pinot Noir
Most red wines made in Switzerland use Pinot Noir. Red wine using Pinot Noir is characterized by its bright red color with transparency, and can be refreshed with little astringency or bitterness.
■ Summary
This time, we introduced Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Swiss wines and their origins as wine powers of the old world other than France.
Even in the same old world wine, there are many different points in each country, and you can see that they are making wines that are unique. The climate and climate are different, and the grape varieties produced vary from country to country, so you can enjoy different tastes even with the same red and white wines.
If you are interested in Old World wines, please compare it!
