WineMasters Class

The Languedoc and Roussillon are two wine regions in the deep south of France, from Narbonne to the Spanish border, and create affordable easy-drinking wines. Both regions are known for their red wines made of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault in different percentages, according to the specific appellation rules. We'll also investigate some common wine faults in our experiment.

Sicilian wines were already praised in ancient times. In the 1980s a few producers began planting mostly French varieties. In the 1990s, many producers returned their focus to the island's native varieties like the white grapes Grillo & Catarrato, & the red grapes Frappato & Nerello Mascalese. In short, Sicilian wines are being awarded again for their quality wines as well as their uniqueness.

South Africa is the 8th among the largest wine producing country in the world. In recent years over 40% of the vineyards were replanted moving from volume production to more quality wines. Noble varieties which have been cultivated increasingly in the past few years include Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, which produce top-class white wines.

In this episode we'll be taking you from New York's Finger Lakes vineyards known for their Rieslings to Virginia, where the French Viognier is a speciality. We'll end our trip in the central and southern state of Texas, known for its spicy red wines from southern European varieties. Of course, we mentioning hybrid grapes as well that were created in several breeding programs.

Half of the vineyards in Burgundy are planted with Chardonnay and the grape produces some of the most sensational age-worthy white wines in the world. Burgundy is divided into 5 primary wine-growing areas of which Chablis, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais are important for white wine production. In our experiment we will explain the wine process of malolactic fermentation.

The two best-known wine regions of Catalunya are Penedès and Priorat. Penedes has been considered one of the country's best wine-producing regions after the Rioja, and it is also one of the most ancient viticultural areas in Europe. Priorat is a small mountainous wine region and is known for its full-bodied red wines from old vine Garnacha and Cariñena aka Carignan.