The biggest influence on the taste of a wine is its grape variety. The following are the grape variety’s properties that we will be focusing on in the regions we select:
Grows best in
Soil with gravel
A warm climate
Ripens late (1 to 2 weeks after Merlot)
Normal harvest - depending on the year
2. Fruity (75%)
3. Tannin (75%)
4. Body (100%)
5. Acidity (50%)
6. Dryness (50%)
1. Grows best in
Clay soil
Cool climates
Needs to ripen early
Harvest depending on the season
2. Fruity (100%)
3. Body (50%)
4. Tannin (25%)
5. Acidity (75%)
6. Dryness (50%)
1. Grows best in
Chalky clay soil
Cool climates
Dispersed ripening (can vary 6 weeks depending on the region)
Normal harvest (August/September)
2. Fruity (100%)
3. Body (25%)
4. Tannin (25%)
5. Acidity (100%)
6. Dryness (100%)
1. Grows best in
On top of hills where there is less soil (more concentrated grapes) and more sun exposure.
Warm climates
Quick ripening
Early harvest
2. Fruity (50%)
3. Body (50%)
4. Tannin (75%)
5. Acidity (50%)
6. Dryness (25%)
1. Grows best in
On soils with clay, sand with pebbles (for heat reflection & retention).
Dry, Warm Windy climates - Mediterranean
Long growing season to fully ripen (allowing sugars to reach high levels)
Late harvest – often one of the last harvests of the year.
2. Fruity (100%)
3. Body (25%)
4. Tannin (25%)
5. Acidity (25%)
6. Dryness (5%)
1. Grows best in
Limestone giving high tannins.
Warm climates and high amounts of sun are important to bring the thick-skinned grape to maturity.
High day and night temperature contrasts, which is strong in terrain with elevation brings ripe juice and high acidity to the grape.
