Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the (if not the) most widely planted black grape varieties. In the glass it is readily recognisable due to its pronounced aromas and flavours of blackcurrant, often alongside notes of mint or menthol. The grapes are small, with thick skins, and so produce wines that are deeply coloured and can be highly tannic. It has great ageing potential and is a key component in the wines of Bordeaux.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a by-product of fermentation. As the yeast converts sugar into alcohol, carbon dioxide is released. In the production of still wines, the CO2 is allowed to dissipate into the atmosphere, but in the production of sparkling wines (such as those made by méthode traditionelle), the CO2 is trapped in the wine to give it its all important bubbles.
Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine, made by the traditional method, which may be white (most common) or rosé. The grapes used in most Cavas are Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo although a handful of other white and red grapes are permitted. The wine has denominación de origen (DO) status and most of the production is focussed in Penedès in Catalunya. The wines are typically cheaper and less expressive than wines such as Champagne.
The northernmost appellation d’origine contrôlée in the French region of Bourgogne (Burgundy). The region produces exclusively white wines made from the Chardonnay grape. The appellation is divided into four further appellations: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru. These regions are strictly delimited production areas with tight production regulations, with Petit Chablis having the least stringent regulations and Grand Cru the most.
Champagne is both a region in France and an appellation d’origine contrôlée, for one of the world’s premium sparkling wines. Wines labelled Champagne have to be made from grapes from particular vineyards in the region and made and aged according to the rules of the AOC. While the grapes used to produce Champagne are predominantly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier (these three make up approximately 99% of plantings), Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Arbane and Petit Meslier are also allowed. In 2021, approval was given for an eighth grape, Voltis, to be planted.
A white (green-skinned) grape variety which originated in Bourgogne in France. It is now widely grown in most of the world’s wine regions and is often considered the world’s most versatile white wine grape. Unlike many grapes, it is quite flexible about the climate in which it is grown, which results in different flavour profiles. Its versatility also means that winemakers have a lot of scope when it comes to winemaking techniques – and so may or may not use oak, lees contact, malolactic fermentation …
The Chardonnays of Bourgogne are some of the world’s most expensive and sought after examples. In addition, Chardonnay is important in Champagne and premium sparkling wines the world over.
The Charmat Method (also known as Martinotti Method) is a sparkling wine making process in which the carbon dioxide is trapped in the wine during secondary fermentation in stainless steel tanks. This is faster, cheaper and much less labour intensive than the traditional method, but results in wines with a focus on primary fruit characters, rather than the bready, yeasty notes that come from lees contact and autolysis.
It is way in which much Prosecco is produced, as well as many cheaper sparkling wines.
The Côte d’Or is a geographical sub region in Bourgogne (Burgundy), its principal city being Dijon (yes – famous for mustard). The region extends for roughly 65km south of Dijon, but is just 1-2km wide at most points. Translated, the name means “Gold Coast” or “Gold Region”. The region produces some of the world’s greatest (and most expensive) Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. In terms of labelling, Bourgogne Côte d’Or is considered a Geographical Denomination and may be found on the labels of red and white wines produced in one of the 40 villages of the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits.
The Côte de Beaune is the southern part of Bourgogne’s Côte d’Or – a limestone ridge which extends south of Dijon. The Côte de Beaune itself starts around the city of Beaune and continues south for roughly 25km. The region is home to some of the world’s greatest red and white wines, made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay respectively.
The Côte de Nuits is a French wine region in Bourgogne. It is located in the northern part of the Cote d’Or, and runs from Dijon to Nuits-Saint-George (from which it gets its name). It is from this region that some of the world’s greatest (and most expensive) red wines made from Pinot Noir hail.
