我要酒: 十一月 2009

2009年11月23日星期一

酒道无极

Posted: 22 Nov 2009 11:52 PM PST

Drinking alcohol every day cuts the risk of heart disease in men by more than a third, a major study suggests.

The Spanish research involving more than 15,500 men and 26,000 women found large quantities of alcohol could be even more beneficial for men.

Female drinkers did not benefit to the same extent, the study in Heart found.

Experts are critical, warning heavy drinking can increase the risk of other diseases, with alcohol responsible for 1.8 million deaths globally per year.

The study was conducted in Spain, a country with relatively high rates of alcohol consumption and low rates of coronary heart disease.

The research involved men and women aged between 29 and 69, who were asked to document their lifetime drinking habits and followed for 10 years.

Crucially the research team claim to have eliminated the “sick abstainers” risk by differentiating between those who had never drunk and those whom ill-health had forced to quit. This has been used in the past to explain fewer heart-related deaths among drinkers on the basis that those who are unhealthy to start with are less likely to drink.

Good cholesterol

The researchers, led by the Basque Public Health Department, placed the participants into six categories – from never having drunk to drinking more than 90g of alcohol each day. This would be the equivalent of consuming about eight bottles of wine a week, or 28 pints of lager.

People should not be encouraged to drink more as a result of this research

Professor Martin McKee
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Alcohol unit guide
For those drinking little – less than a shot of vodka a day for instance – the risk was reduced by 35%. And for those who drank anything from three shots to more than 11 shots each day, the risk worked out an average of 50% less.

The same benefits were not seen in women, who suffer fewer heart problems than men to start with. Researchers speculated this difference could be down to the fact that women process alcohol differently, and that female hormones protect against the disease in younger age groups.

The type of alcohol drunk did not seem to make a difference, but protection was greater for those drinking moderate to high amounts of varied drinks.

The exact mechanisms are as yet unclear, but it is known that alcohol helps to raise high-density lipoproteins, sometimes known as good cholesterol, which helps stop so-called bad cholesterol from building up in the arteries.

‘Binge-drinking’

UK experts said the findings should be treated with caution because they do not take into account ill-health from a range of other diseases caused by excess drinking.

“Whilst moderate alcohol intake can lower the risk of having a heart attack, coronary heart disease is just one type of heart disease. Cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, is associated with high alcohol intake and can lead to a poor quality of life and premature death,” said the British Heart Foundation’s senior cardiac nurse, Cathy Ross.

“The heart is just one of many organs in the body. While alcohol could offer limited protection to one organ, abuse of it can damage the heart and other organs such as the liver, pancreas and brain.”

The Stroke Association meanwhile noted that overall, evidence indicated that people who regularly consumed a large amount of alcohol had a three-fold increased risk of stroke.

“Six units within six hours is considered ‘binge-drinking’ and anyone indulging in regular ‘binge-drinking’ increases their risk of stroke greatly,” said research officer Joanne Murphy.

Public health specialists warned no-one should be encouraged to drink more as a result of this study.

“The relationship between alcohol and heart disease remains controversial,” said Professor Martin McKee of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“While there is good evidence that moderate consumption is protective in people who are at substantial risk of heart disease – which excludes most people under the age of 40 – we also know that most people underestimate how much they drink. This paper adds to the existing literature but should not be considered as definitive. ”

In the UK, the recommendation is no more than two to three units of alcohol a day for women – the equivalent of one standard glass of wine – and three to four units for men.

The British Liver Trust said: “There have been several studies suggesting that small amounts of alcohol can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in men over the age of 40.

“But these are often misinterpreted by people looking for a health reason to consume alcohol.

“If you want to look after your health, stay within the limits of no more than 3-4 units a day for men or 2-3 for women and aim to give yourself at least two days off alcohol a week.”

Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, agreed that the message from this study was not clear: “At the end of the day, you’re juggling different risks and benefits, maybe helping your heart or maybe damaging your brain and liver.

“The simple message is moderation.

“Stick to the guidelines, and you won’t go far wrong.”

标签：alcohol, healthy, heart, wine

2009年11月19日星期四

葡萄酒行业景气度持续上涨

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 07:03 PM PST

白酒葡萄酒产销量继续保持上升态势，液体乳产销量增速提升明显。2009年1-10月白酒累计产量为550.89万千升，增速24%，与1-9 月的产量增速基本持平，较去年同期上升7个百分点；啤酒累计产量为3799.42万千升，增速7.04%，啤酒的增速保持平稳；葡萄酒累计产量为 71.04万千升，增速18.13%，较1-9月的增速上升2个百分点，与去年同期仍有差距；液体乳累计产量为1355.49万吨，同比上升 10.60%，增速较上月和去年都有较大提升。

葡萄酒的销量增速持续回暖。葡萄酒10月单月产量为8.55万千升，同比增长32.89%，较9月的增速有所下降，较去年同期上升27个百分点。张裕9月底通过与3大国外知名酒庄合作的形式成为他们生产的葡萄酒的国内代理商，共同开发国内中高档市场，可能将成为公司业绩新的增长点，维持对其的推荐。

行业及重点公司推荐。进入白酒和葡萄酒的消费旺季，我们对行业的推荐顺序为白酒、葡萄酒、啤酒、乳制品和肉制品。继续维持对五粮液、贵州茅台、泸州老窖、张裕A、青岛啤酒和双汇发展的重点推荐。

日期：2009-11-19 11:07:28 来源：国泰君安作者：胡春霞

标签：景气, 葡萄酒, 行业

2009年11月18日星期三

酒道无极

易拉罐将瓜分酒包装大市场
希腊美食、美酒之旅
捷克民间葡萄酒节
世界名贵葡萄酒的命名和变迁
世界上独一无二的空中酒吧
招待奥巴马——国宴上的葡萄酒

易拉罐将瓜分酒包装大市场

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 12:38 AM PST

日期：2009-11-18 10:31:39 来源：慧丛聪食品工业网作者：

随着国民经济的不断增长，百姓生活水平的提高，以及对环保方面的重视，目前市场上畅饮易拉罐葡萄酒已经非常流行。虽然早就有易拉罐取代玻璃瓶成为红酒包装主流的说法，但是传统的葡萄酒制作商以及红酒爱好者似乎并未重视，现在他们的观念应有所转变。

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易拉罐的发展史：1940年，欧美开始发售用不锈钢罐装的啤酒，同一时期铝罐的出现也成为制罐技术的飞跃。1963年，易拉罐在美国得以发明，它继承了以往罐形的造型设计特点，在顶部设计了易拉环。这是一次开启方式的革命，给人们带来了极大的方便和享受，因而很快得到普遍应用。到了1980年，欧美市场基本上全都采用了这种铝罐作为啤酒和碳酸饮料的包装形式。随着设计和生产技术的进步，铝罐趋向轻量化，从最初的60克降到了1970年的21～15克左右。

随着国民经济的不断增长，百姓生活水平的提高，以及对环保方面的重视，目前市场上畅饮易拉罐葡萄酒已经非常流行。虽然早就有易拉罐取代玻璃瓶成为红酒包装主流的说法，但是传统的葡萄酒制作商以及红酒爱好者似乎并未重视，现在他们的观念应有所转变。近几年，虽然罐装葡萄酒总体销量水平不高，但涨幅极大。全球最大的易拉罐制造商之一Rexam发言人约翰·瑞芙称，2006年该集团为葡萄酒行业提供的易拉罐有600万只，去年则猛增至3500万只。瑞芙预计，未来两年该数字有望达到1亿只，从长远看，易拉罐葡萄酒的年消费量可以达到10亿瓶。

铝罐能够全部回收利用，制成新罐，保质期为60天，其重量比玻璃瓶轻很多，且不易打破。铝罐的环保性能也很好，最近研究显示，运输过程中铝罐包装比玻璃瓶包装产生的二氧化碳废气排放量少50％，且占用空间更小。此外，铝罐葡萄酒每升价格比同样的瓶装酒便宜17％。而在一些场合下，瓶装酒并不方便。如年轻的葡萄酒饮用者需要能带出去野餐或参加音乐会的葡萄酒，这些场合玻璃瓶酒并不适合。

环境学家认为铝罐与其它包装容器相比更具有环保性，就其容器而言，反复回收减少环境污染；就其使用的材料而言，铝材反复使用有效节约资源，保持地球环境，而其它包装容器如普遍盛行的塑料、PET材料而言，都源于石油，石油的不断开采，将会造成资源的枯竭。

为了保持易拉罐在饮料、酒包装方面占主导地位，罐业不断进行技术改造，降低成本和改进外观已成主旋律。已出现很多较好的品牌与产品，发展势头好。

标签：包装, 易拉罐, 葡萄酒, 铝罐

2009年11月17日星期二

酒道无极

日本大阪政府公开拍卖157瓶高级葡萄酒
伯恩慈济院葡萄酒拍卖会刷新历史记录
波尔多酒王价格继续飙升
圣诞夜惊魂——葡萄酒历险
不可预知的葡萄酒天气
波尔多走遍世界

日本大阪政府公开拍卖157瓶高级葡萄酒

Posted: 16 Nov 2009 10:42 PM PST

日期：2009-11-17 9:39:50 来源：《日本时报》作者：

日本大阪市政府15日将收藏的157瓶高级葡萄酒进行公开拍卖，其中于1921年酿造的一瓶葡萄酒以150万日元（约合11万元人民币）的最高价格拍卖成功。这一批葡萄酒大多来自于法国等欧洲国家，当时大阪市政府以565万日元的价格购入，并在一处市民交流会馆里展出。但是，去年春天，这一交流会馆被关闭，这些高级葡萄酒的去处成了问题。市政府最后决定进行公开的拍卖。在拍卖会上，原价60万日元购入的1921年酿造酒，最终以150万日元的价格拍出。总共拍卖收入达到1210万日元，超过了原来购入价格的一倍以上。

标签：大阪, 拍卖, 葡萄酒

Unpredictable Wine Weather

Ah, Spring. Blue skies and warm sunshine one day, and cold, drizzly rain the next. Winter makes for easy wine choices; most of us turn to hearty reds to stave off the cold. Similarly, crisp, chilled white wines are just the thing for cutting the summer heat. But what about those in-between days?

A lot of other wine drinkers would say, "do what we do all year long: drink what you like," which is what you should be doing. Spring, nonetheless, is a good time to keep a variety pack around: some rich reds for days when winter seems to be hanging around forever – think Shiraz, Zinfandel, Cabernet – and some whites in the fridge for a summer preview.

There are also some wines that hit the spot between the two: rich, full-bodied whites that will warm you inside, even if the wines themselves are chilled, and reds that are light to medium-bodied, elegant and smooth. Interestingly, the two grapes best suited for this balance both originate in Burgundy, where a Californian would find the cooler climate itself almost permanently Spring-like.

The Best of Both Worlds

Chardonnay often seems like a white grape pretending to be red; in warmer climes like California and Australia it can make a rich wine with all the weight and substance you could ask for. That’s one of the reasons winemakers sometimes age or even ferment their Chardonnays in oak barrels; many white grapes would be overwhelmed, but a well-made Chardonnay.

Pinot Noir is the red grape of Burgundy and, while Chardonnay seems capable of growing just about anywhere, Pinot is a pickier grape. But when a grower plants it in the right place, a place cool enough for the grape to mature slowly and evenly, it can make a wine with a wide range of flavors from bright red fruits like cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, to earthy aromas such as mushroom. It also retains a higher level of acidity than many reds, which keeps it firm and fresh.

Spring offers the best of both worlds – hot and cold, sun and rain – and Chardonnay and Pinot Noir do the same. But if a big red wine or a crisp white still tickles your fancy, you can always tell people that you still feel that winter chill, or you’re taking an advance on your summer vacation.

标签：天气, 葡萄酒

Bordeaux Spreads Around the World

Even if you don’t know it, Bordeaux has probably had an influence on the wines you drink. Long the most famous single wine region in the world, Bordeaux has been the role model for winemakers in California, Australia, South Africa, and even other parts of Europe like Piedmont and Tuscany.

In the late 1800s, Bordeaux, like many wine regions, was attacked by a louse called phylloxera, which devastated the vineyards. As winegrowers replanted, they neglected a few grapes that they found difficult to grow – Malbec among them. Fortunately the grape had already emigrated elsewhere and has found a new home in Argentina. The Southern Hemisphere has been very hospitable for Malbec, and it’s become the Argentina’s signature grape. With its dark fruit flavors and a touch of spiciness, it’s easy to see how it might have once been part of a Bordeaux blend.

A lot of the influence is in the grapes.

As with most French wines, you won’t see their names on the labels, but the red wines of Bordeaux are all made with blends of some pretty popular grapes. Merlot is actually the most planted grape in the area, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The Left Bank – if you’re looking at a map of Bordeaux, it’s the area west of the river, often called the Medoc – is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which grows well in the gravelly soils. The Right Bank has a lot more clay, making the soil cooler and better for Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which ripen earlier even in the cooler environment. From the two halves of Bordeaux, Cabernet and Merlot have spread to California, Washington, Australia, and almost anywhere else interested in making full, rich wines..

Bordeaux dry white wines are made exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle grapes. As with the reds, each varietal adds something special. Sauvignon Blanc is the dominant grape for the best dry white wines and is also used to add acidity to some sweet blends. It produces crisp, clean, medium-bodied wines with full, fruity flavors and often grassy, herbaceous and citrus bouquet. Sauvignon Blanc crosses the New World and Old World frequently and is a popular grape in South Africa, New Zealand and California.

标签：梅多克, 波尔多, 白素维农, 白葡萄酒, 红葡萄酒

2009年11月16日星期一

酒道无极

千变万化——香槟酒杯
英国葡萄酒质量提升供不应求
意大利F1赛车与皮埃蒙特葡萄酒
所有的葡萄酒都是混合酒
奥巴马来中国喝什么葡萄酒？

千变万化——香槟酒杯

Posted: 15 Nov 2009 11:13 PM PST

香槟酒是婚礼上必不可少的葡萄酒。婚礼上的细节要处处凸显心思，选一款造型特别，装饰独特的香槟酒杯，一定会为整场婚礼增色不少。

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标签：婚礼, 香槟, 香槟酒杯

Blending Wine

所有的酒都是混合的吗？

不仅仅那些葡萄品种会混合在一起，甚至那些由单一葡萄酿造的葡萄酒，也是由该品种的不同分支混合酿造的。

Are all wines blended?

Not only those that are a mixture of different grape varieties, but even wines made solely from a single grape variety will actually be a blend of different lots of that variety.

Blending Wine

为什么要混合呢？

混合酒的理由有很多，但是最基本的目的，是为了提升最终的葡萄酒，一瓶混合葡萄酒应该超过它各部分的综合。

Why blend?

There are just about as many reasons to blend wines as there are wines but the basic goal in blending is to improve the final wine, since a blended wine should be greater than the sum of its parts.

难道单一品种的葡萄酒不比混合的好？

恰恰相反。世界上最棒最昂贵的葡萄酒都是混合的。波尔多地区的拉图酒就是混合的。香槟酒也是混合的，纳帕的Opus One 也是混合酒。

Aren’t single varietals better than blends?

On the contrary! The greatest, most expensive wines in the world are blends. Chateau Latour (Bordeaux) is a blend. Dom Perignon (Champagne) is a blend. Opus One (Napa) is a blend…Get the idea?

不过，在瓶身上写着"加本利苏伟翁"的葡萄酒，也是混合的么？

是的，在美国，葡萄酒只要含有75%这种葡萄，可以标注"加本利苏伟翁"。即使葡萄酒是用100%的加本利苏伟翁酿造的，还是会和其他品种的加本利混合。

But if it says "Cabernet Sauvignon" on the label, that’s a blend too?

Yes. In the US, you only need to have 75% of Cabernet Sauvignon (or any other grape variety) in a wine to be able to label the wine as Cabernet Sauvignon. Even wines made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon will be a blend of different lots of Cabernet.

为什么混合不同的葡萄酒会更好？

不同的葡萄品种可以在混合的时候带来不同的效果。比如，加本利苏伟翁带来单宁和骨架。美乐带来果肉。品丽珠带来芳香。在这种情况下，更像是音乐。小提琴独奏是非常动人的，当它成为四重奏或者管弦乐队的一部分的时候，会使整体的声音获得更加丰富，更加复杂的可能。

Why is it better to blend different grape varieties?

Well, each grape variety brings something different to the blend. For example: Cabernet Sauvignon lends tannin and structure; Merlot brings flesh; Cabernet Franc, aroma and so on. In a way it’s a little like music. A violin sounds good on its own, but even better as part of a quartet or orchestra where a much richer, more complex sound is possible.

Blending Wine

所以混合酒就像是烹饪？

的确，味道鲜美的菜肴都是和草药、香料有关的。

So blending is like cooking?

Exactly! The tastiest dishes often involve many herbs, spices and layers of flavor.

是不是大部分的人更喜欢混合酒？

很多人做了大量研究证明了这点。而且的确合理，你可以在一瓶酒里尝到很多滋味。

Do most people like blends better?

Yes they do and all the studies confirm this. And it makes sense, when you think about it, as in a way it’s like having something for everyone all in one bottle.

到底是为了什么原因，要混合葡萄酒呢？

不同的葡萄有不同的滋味和香气，混合使用，会比单一品种效果更好。

并不是每个葡萄品种拥有全部的制造佳酿的品质。加本利苏伟翁可以制造酒体大的，富含单宁的葡萄酒，如果加入美乐，会变得柔和并有肉质感。品丽珠会增加芳香，娇小的西拉子可以增加色彩。

由不同批次压榨出的葡萄汁，相互混合。后压榨的葡萄汁可以增加单宁和骨架。

葡萄酒在新旧木桶中发酵，会有不同的风味和结构层次。所以经常被混合起来，为达到想要的结果。

混合酒通常被用来年复一年维持特定的酒的风格，避免葡萄酒品种变异带来的影响。在香槟区，葡萄酒会由三种不同的葡萄品种，不同的葡萄葡萄园出产，不同的葡萄售货机混合。为了实现稳定的风味，至少需要四十种葡萄酒混合。

单一品种的混合酒是由在不同的葡萄园和不同的单体的同一品种制造的。

What are some other reasons to blend wine?

Different grapes have different tastes and aromas and a combination is usually better than a single variety.
Not every grape variety has everything it needs to make a great wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, makes a big, tannic wine that can often benefit from the addition of merlot for softness and flesh in the mid palate, cabernet franc for aroma, petite syrah for color, etc…
Juice from different pressings (free run juice from initial grape crushing) is blended with juice from later pressings to add tannin and structure.
Wines fermented in new/old/no oak have very different flavor and structural properties, so are often blended together to achieve desired result.
Blends are often made to achieve a consistent house style year after year, avoiding vintage variation. In champagne, for example, the wines will be made from 3 different grape varieties, many different vineyards and often several different vintages. Up to 40 wines can go to make up the final style of the house of krug.
Single varietal blends are made from grapes grown in different vineyards, from different clones, etc…

标签：混合酒, 葡萄酒

Obama: Wine We Can Believe In（奥巴马：我们信赖的酒）

这瓶可以让人相信的葡萄酒，现在来到了中国。

很有意思的是，作为走在时尚前沿的上海，会用什么样的酒来招待奥巴马呢？

是上海石库门黄酒？还是绍兴加饭酒？

也许奥巴马的随行人员，会为总统带上他最喜欢的肯德杰克逊酒庄（Kendall-Jackson）出产的霞多丽酒。肯德杰克逊是位于加州索诺玛谷的一家酒庄，他们的霞多丽（Chardonnay）是美国最畅销的白葡萄酒之一。

肯德杰克逊精选系列霞多丽酒充满了柠檬、酸橙和柚子的香气。迷人奶油质感的酒体，除成熟凤梨香味外，还有青草的芳香。

据说奥巴马当选总统的时候，这家酒庄邮寄了两厢霞多丽酒送给白宫的新主人当贺礼。

或许奥巴马总统会邀请主人一同饮用霞多丽酒，在中国搞一次美国葡萄酒的推广会也说不定。

标签：上海, 奥巴马, 葡萄酒, 访华

2009年11月13日星期五

酒道无极

干冰鼓风技术清洁酒桶延长使用寿命节约成本
多国葡萄酒亮相食博会
公牛开瓶器——牛气哄哄
聚焦门多萨——阿根廷产区
味尔多——仅为波尔多酒混合

干冰鼓风技术清洁酒桶延长使用寿命节约成本

Posted: 12 Nov 2009 11:30 PM PST

日期：2009-11-13 10:06:42 来源：中国葡萄酒信息网作者：麦子编译

过去五年，维克·瓦兹奎兹和鲍勃•福卢克一直采用干冰（固体二氧化碳）鼓风技术来清洁葡萄酒桶和其它酿酒设备,延长了橡木桶的使用寿命，大大节约了生产成本。

Barrels of wine in a cellar, Castello Della Sala, Ficulle, Umbria, Italy

干冰在零下109摄氏度能够去除模具中的孢子、细菌和真菌。这种自动化高压"Rajeunir"机器能够在不损害橡木桶"烘烤"度、不影响酿酒口味的前提下，去除木头内残留的细菌，让旧木桶得以再利用。酒桶被"吹"干净后，就能继续陈放葡萄酒。

瓦兹奎兹表示，干冰鼓风过程的重要步骤是先去掉桶的顶部，用肉眼检查橡木桶的污染、损坏之处，待桶清洁完毕，再装上桶顶，检查压力，添加二氧化硫。干冰清洁后不会留下任何水渍或化学残余物，因此既环保又安全。在上周四纳帕谷葡萄酒与酿酒葡萄展会上，瓦兹奎兹说："干冰鼓风清洁是最节约成本的技术，它还可以清洁使用过四年、五年甚至六年的旧桶。"

加州著名的Sebastiani酒园每隔一年都会请瓦兹奎兹和福卢克帮助他们清洗旧橡木桶，这些旧桶最少使用过三年。上一次，瓦兹奎兹清洗了一只用过七年的旧桶，桶内采用干冰鼓风技术自动清理，但桶顶与底部须用一只高马力旋转棒进行手工清洁。

事实上干冰技术处理旧桶费用低廉，每只只需50美元，但购买一只新桶至少要300美元，可以为公司节省250美元。www.barrelblasting.com网站刊登了一则实例，一家使用5000只橡木桶的酒厂，每年需要更换25％（一只800美元）的旧桶，如果采用干冰技术延长旧桶一年的使用寿命，就能为酒厂省下150,000美元。

目前，瓦兹奎兹在纳帕谷与索诺玛地区已经拥有100位客户，帕索罗布、华盛顿和俄勒冈地区酒厂也开始尝试使用干冰清洁技术。

（文章来源：St.Helena Star）

标签：美国, 葡萄酒, 酒桶

Spotlight on the Mendoza

Wine Region of Argentina

Spotlight on the Mendoza

虽然是世界上海拔最高的葡萄园之一，门多萨省是阿根廷最重要的葡萄酒产区。高耸入天的安第斯山在西部保护着这片土地，富含矿物质的泥土，和超过三百天的日照，使得这一地区拥有了培育高品质葡萄酒的理想条件。

门多萨葡萄酒产区分为四个区域：门多萨城外12英里，环绕门多萨河的中心产区，中心谷地，生产最多的葡萄酒，离门多萨城160英里的南部产区，Uca谷是一个正在成形并且以生产一流品质葡萄酒而著名的产区。

Uca谷葡萄园，是很多美味的阿根廷葡萄酒的产地，葡萄种植都在平均海拔4000米以上的高原。高海拔就意味着葡萄的根部必需努力向下生长，并且长出厚皮，和粗大的梗茎，这样增加了葡萄汁的丰富度。阿根廷一直以马尔贝克葡萄酒出名，而Uca谷生产是最好的之一。

With vineyards planted at some of the highest altitudes in the world, The Mendoza Province is one of Argentina's most important wine regions. Protected by the towering Andes Mountains to the west, with mineral rich soil and over 300 days of sunshine every year, this area offers ideal conditions for cultivating high quality wines.

The Mendoza wine region is divided up into 4 areas: The Central Region which surrounds the Mendoza river and is located 12 miles outside of the city, the Central Valley which produces the most wine in the area, the Southern Region which is located 160 miles outside of the city and the Uca Valley, an emerging area that is becoming known for its premium quality wines.

The Uca Valley vineyards, home to some of our delicious Argentinean wines, are planted nearly 4,000 feet above sea level. The higher elevation means the skins and roots of the grape plants have to struggle more and develop thick skins and stalks that add to the complexity of the grape juice. Argentina is known for its delicious Malbecs and the Uca Valley produces some of the best.

标签：uca, 葡萄酒, 门多萨, 阿根廷

Petit Verdot – Not Just for Bordeaux Blends

About Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot Grape

味尔多是一种源自波尔多古老的葡萄品种，甚至比它出名的邻居加本利·苏伟翁（赤霞珠）还要古老。这是一种拥有古老历史，取得巨大成功的葡萄品种。

在法国的天气下，味尔多的成熟季比较晚，这种葡萄一般是少量地用来并且只是和波尔多酒混合，增加这种酒的骨架。尽管如此，这种葡萄被移植到北加州或者是澳大利亚，并且在温和的天气的下生长，逐渐变得旺盛起来。离开了法国天气的沉重压迫，味尔多现在成为了一种独立的品种。

今天，味尔多在新世界产区生长兴盛，这种葡萄酒带有香辛料味道，色彩浓艳，丹宁含量高，酒精含量高。香气类似香蕉，滋味好似雪茄盒的味道。因为味尔多味道的浓重和高酒精度，所以适合与味道强烈的肉和陈年干酪搭配。

Originating in Bordeaux, Petit Verdot is an old grape, dating back before even its more famous neighbor, Cabernet Sauvignon. It is an interesting red wine grape with a long history that's marked with triumph.

Because of its late ripening season in the French climate, the grape was traditionally used sparingly and often only to add structure to Bordeaux blends. However, when the vines were transplanted and grown in more temperate regions like Northern California and Australia, the grape began to flourish. No longer burdened with the pressures of the French climate, Petit Verdot is now gaining popularity as a varietal that can stand on its own.

Today, the grape is growing in abundance in New World wine regions. The wine produced is spicy, rich in color and high in tannins and alcohol. Its aromas have been compared to a banana and its taste to the essence of a cigar box. Due to its depth of flavor and high alcohol, the Petit Verdot pairs best with robust meats and rich, aged cheeses.

标签：味尔多, 法国, 波尔多, 温和, 美国

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