What Popular Wine Grapes Do We Use At Our Salmon Arm Winery?
There’s no denying how diverse wine grapes really are. Even the subtle differences can change a wine completely , creating an entirely new experience.
As the #1 amongst North Okanagan wineries, we often get asked about the different types of wine grapes we use in our wines. And with so many options available, it can be difficult to narrow down the most popular wine grapes.
So, we’ve made it a little easier for you. We’ve compiled a list of the most popular wine grapes—and we’re happy to announce that a couple of grapes grown at Larch Hills made the cut.
Chardonnay
Originated in Burgundy, France, this is a green-skinned grape variety used to produce the world’s favourite white wine. When run through the process of oak-aging (aged in oak barrels), the high grade of the Chardonnay grape makes this wine one of the boldest styles of white wine in the world.
Chardonnay now grows anywhere wine is produced, from England to New Zealand. Chardonnay properties feature in many sparkling wines around the world, including Champagne and Franciacorta. Wine made from Chardonnay can be paired with a variety of foods, including white and heavy meats, and spicy Asian-inspired meals.
Merlot
The Merlot grape is grown in Bordeaux, Australia, Italy, Romania, United States, and Chile, to name a few. It is dark blue in colour, but most acknowledged for its grape skin’s black resemblance. This is how the name Merlot came to be.
Merlot is said to have emerged from the root word merle, which is a French name for blackbird. The Merlot wine grade ranks among the top red wine grapes in the world. Its softness makes it an easy-to-enjoy introductory wine for those new to red wine.
Merlot features the scents of dark berries and goes well with most foods.
Cabernet Sauvignon
This grape variety is known as one of the most popular among red wine grape varieties and can be found in almost any wine producing country, from Australia to Lebanon. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have thick skins and hardy vines. They bud late to avoid frost and are resistant to rot and insects. This causes them to ripen late.
Cabernet Sauvignon’s properties in Bordeaux wines (blended in with Merlot and Cabernet Franc) made it one of the most recognizable wines internationally. It was known as the world’s most widely planted red wine grape until Merlot crept up and surpassed it in the 1990s and soon regained its prominence in the early 2000s. This high grade grape variety carries herb, cassis, black cherry, and green olive flavours and is best paired with grilled or smoked foods with mild spice, as well as sweet and nutty flavours.
Siegerrebe
Siegerrebe is a white wine grape variety known to grow in Germany. It’s pink and red-skinned grape variety (used in the production of white wines) makes for a sensational must weight. The German translation of Siegerrebe is “victory wine.” Siegerrebe is often planted in colder climates like Vancouver Island, England, Northern Okanagan, and the Fraser Valley.
Siegerrebe gives off a “honeysuckle muscat'' aroma with notes of lychee, rose petals and various spices with hints of tangerine and pink grapefruit. It is best paired with light, curry, and creamy Asian foods.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is known to be a very noble grape variety. Best grown in Burgundy, France (and also New Zealand, Oregon, California, and Austria), this grape thrives in closer climates, later producing a high grade red wine with a delicate structure, soft tannins, and berry flavour.
The name Pinot Noir derives from the French words for pine and black. Apart from red wines, it is used to make champagne and sparkling white wines. This grape’s thin skins and low levels of phenolic compounds allow it to produce light and fair wines that tend to age unpredictably. Wines containing Pinot Noir grapes pair well with fatty fishes, roasted white meats, and pasta dishes.
Interested in Trying Siegerrebe Wine? Order From Larch Hills Wine Store
Get your taste buds excited with our vintage 2018 varietal Siegerrebe. This must-try vintage features a moderate 11.4% alcohol level. Take a look at our most popular Siegerrebe Wine here.
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