
The course will include the following subjects:
Chardonnay
This grape variety produces wines with a myriad of styles, from steely Chablis to super ripe and oaked Australian. Although the trend lately has been away from Chardonnay wines they still can be stunners, especially from the best wineries in Burgundy, where all tastes are catered for.
Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc
The Semillon grape can produce some of the world's finest white wines as from Bordeaux and the Hunter Valley but more often than not it is combined with Sauvignon Blanc to bring out the best of both grape flavours. Sauvignon Blanc alone produces wines with gooseberry fruit flavours most notably from New Zealand.
Chenin Blanc
The home of this grape lies in the Loire Valley in France and particularly in the Anjou-Touraine area where it has been grown for centuries. Basic Anjou Blanc or inexpensive Saumur and Vouvray are made from Chenin Blanc and when drunk young are sweetish with plenty of acidity. The South African version of wine produced from this grape, can sometimes be sweeter than its French counterparts, perhaps because of the warmer climate and use of a cold fermentation process.
Pinot Grigio/Gris, Pinot Blanc
The best examples of wines produced from Pinot Grigio come from Fruili in North Eastern Italy where they can be full-bodied compared with the lighter styles from other regions such as Lombardy. Picked later in Alsace, France, the wine from this grape variety takes on different characteristics, low acidity and an aroma of spice.
Viognier, Muscat, Trebbiano, Riesling, Gruener Veltliner, Chasselas
This assortment of grape varieties produces some intriguing wines from a number of different countries. Some you are familiar with, others are more rare. The flavours are outstanding when chosen carefully.
Rosé
It was reported earlier this year that supermarkets could not keep up with the demand for Rose wines. Coming from nowhere there is a Rose wine boom. Although one of the biggest brands, Mateus Rose is vying for top position with Gallo's Blossom Hill Rose. Rose d'Anjou has also been well known for many years. Besides these a number of other produces from Chile, New Zealand and South Africa are trying to sell their Roses in the UK. Taste a whole host of Rose wines and see which you prefer.
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