CityView Magazine

46 | October 2017 F or the seasoned oenophile, a stroll through an expansive wine store is a delight. For the novice sipper, navigating the wine aisle of the grocery store can be overwhelming. Luckily, even the most intimidating array is simplified with a bit of knowledge – of region, history and taste. Wine has been a part of civilization since ancient times. Evidence of its consumption dates to 6000 BC in China. e oldest winery in the world was found in a cave in Armenia, where fermentation jars and seeds from the Vitis vinifera grape (still used to make wine today) date to 4100 BC. People make and drink wine almost everywhere in the world. While wine is produced on six continents and in more than seventy countries, several regions of the world produce the majority. Weather, climate, soil conditions and terrain govern the offering and taste buds influence production and exportation. France e world's largest producer of wine, France has varying topography and climate, which make it an ideal host for an assortment of grapes. Merlot and grenache are the most widely grown, but France is also the original source of ever- popular favorites such as cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and syrah grapes. Regions of the country specialize in different varieties. Alsace, on the Eastern border, is a primarily white-wine region, while Bordeaux is primarily red. Burgundy specializes in chardonnay and pinot noir grapes for white and red, respectively. Beaujolais is a red-wine region famous for the Beaujolais Nouveau, a quickly-bottled fruity wine released each year, made from the gamay grape. Champagne is the coldest of France's major wine-making regions and is to thank for, of course, its bubbly namesake. Italy Nearly every region is a wine region. Veneto, Marche and Abruzzo, Tuscany, Piedmont and Sicily are well-known throughout the world. e sangiovese grape, also known as the "pride of Tuscany," is the main grape ingredient in the quintessentially Italian chianti, best known for its fruity notes that pair well with red sauce and red meat. e hearty trebbiano grape hails from Italy but is planted densely in other countries to produce brandy, blended table wines and even balsamic vinegar. Spain Spain has more grapevine acreage than any other top-producing country but, due to dry weather and infertile soil conditions, it is third largest in production. While Spain is home to more than 400 types of grapes, twenty varieties produce the most. e airen, tempranillo and garnacha (commonly known as grenache) originated in Spain, and are frequently used in blended wines – and sangria! Boldness of flavor is dependent upon location. F E A T U R E From Sauvignon to Scuppernong Wines of the world and of home BY COURTNEY PHILLIPS

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