Pocket Vintages - wine guide, wine recommendations, wine reviews

USA Wine Volumes

Did you know....

That the USA produces the largest amount of wine out of all 'New World' wine countries.  In fact, the USA is the world's 4th largest wine producer.

South African Pinotage

Did you know....

That if you see Pinotage on a bottle of wine from South Africa, then the wine is made from a grape variety created by crossing Pinot Noir with Cinsault.

White Grape Varieties of Germany

Did you know....

There are three main white grapes used in the production of German wines:
Riesling
Muller-Thurgau
Silvaner

Rioja regions

Did you know....

That there are three sub-regions of Rioja in Spain:
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Alta
Rioja Baja

Vin Santo

Did you know....

Vin Santo is a sweet dessert wine from Italy.

Loupiac and Cadillac French Wines

Did you know....

If you come across a Loupiac or Cadillac French wine then it will be a sweet white wine, similar to the famous Sauternes but likely to be lighter in style and probably better value for money!

French Wine Categories

Did you know....

There are four main French wine categories:

Vin de Table - this is the most basic and likely to be the cheapest.
Vin de Pays - wine from a specific region
Vin Delimite de Qualite Superieur (VDQS)
Appellation Controlle (AOC) - what are you are most likely to find in restaurants - an indication (but not always!) of quality.  There are six governing regulations for all AOC wines - the wine must come from a specific area; it must be made only with permitted grape varieties; it must adhere to specific viticultural and vinification methods (how the grapes are grown and processed) and it is subject to maximum yield controls as well as minimum alcohol levels.

Some growers choose not to follow AOC rules so that they can experiment with their wines.  The results are sometimes amazing, but they will not be given AOC classification.

Chianti Italian Wines

Did you know....

Colli Senesi, Rufina and Colli Fiorentini are all sub regions of Chianti.

Chianti wines are from the Tuscany region of Italy.

According to Pocket Vintages, look out for Chianti wines from 1997 and 1999 which were both excellent vintages.

Soave Italian Wine

Did you know....

Soave Italian wine is from the Veneto region.  According to Pocket Vintages, there were no excellent years for the Veneto region between 96 and 05, although 2003 and 2004 were very good vintages.

Oak Aged Spanish Wines

Did you know....

Spanish red wines spend varying amounts of time ageing in oak.  If you see 'Crianza' on the label of a Spanish wine from Rioja then you know that it has spent at least 12 months ageing in oak.  Other Spanish reds only need to spend 6 months ageing in oak to be classified as Crianza.  However, all Crianza reds must spend a minimum of 24 months maturing in total.

Confused yet?  Want something even smoother?  Then look for a Reserva, which must mature for at least 36 months or a Gran Reserva, which must spend 60 months ageing.