WineMasters Class

Beaujolais is synonymous with red wine and it's one of the few regions in the world focused on a single grape variety, Gamay. To this day the whole region is still burdened by the widespread belief that Beaujolais only produces cheap and cheerful red wines. But the best wines from the 10 Crus prove Gamay's potential and some wine experts say these wines can rival the Pinot Noir of Burgundy.

The Jura and Savoie are wine regions that are located in the east of France towards the Alps. Both are known for their indigenous grape varieties, like Savagnin, Poulsard and Trousseau in the Jura, and Jacquère, Altesse and Mondeuse in Savoie. Although these wines sometimes difficult to find outside France, a new generation is taking things a bit more globally.

Rueda specializes in white wines made mainly from the Verdejo grape. The advantage of the region's high altitude, its extreme climate and well-drained soils, Rueda is an ideal place to grow Verdejo. Traditionally Verdejo was used to making sherry-like fortified wines, now fresh, lively white wines are mostly made here, and different aging methods result in wines that can be laid down for years.

Did you know that Australia is home to some of the oldest vines in the world? The Barossa Valley is a quite isolated place and phylloxera hasn't yet infected vineyard soils here. It's here where you can find the country's signature grape Shiraz, Australia's word for Syrah. Wine is produced in every state, with more than 60 designated wine regions.

In this episode we'll visit Japan, which was the first Asian country to develop a grape wine culture, and of course China, which has become a major producer and will become a bigger player in future. We'll also visit regions further north like England, where climates that were previously too cold to grow wine grapes are becoming better suited for viticulture.

Piemonte is nestled in the Alpine foothills and produces some of the highest ranked wines in the world. In this hilly region, vineyards are planted on the many slopes that can vary in altitude from 150 up to 700 meters. The range of elevations and exposures creates a range of sites that can suit different indigenous grape varieties, like Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto.