Wine Regions
UNITED STATES
The west coast of the US is home to most of the wine
producers in the country.
United States wine regions:
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Napa Valley, California
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Red
White
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Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Zinfandel
Syrah
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Sonoma, California
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White
Red
Sparkling wines
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Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
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Washington
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White
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Chardonnay
Riesling
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Oregon
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Red
White
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Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Pinot Gris
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FRANCE
Despite the strength of wines from California and
other “New World” regions, France is still considered the best region in the world
for excellent wines.
French wine producing areas are divided in to regions:
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Alsace
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Riesling
Rose
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Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
Pino Gris
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Beaujolais
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Red
White
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Chardonnay
Gamay
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Bordeaux
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Red
White
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
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Burgundy
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Red
White
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Pinot Noir
Gamay
Chardonnay
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Champagne
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White
Red
Champagne
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Pinot Noir
Pinot Meunier
Chardonnay
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Loire Valley
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Rose
Red
White
Sparkling
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Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
Pinot Gris
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Rhone Valley
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Red
White
Sparkling
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Syrah
Cabernet Sauvignon
Muscat
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Look for these terms on the label of French wines. It will give you a clue
to the sweetness of the wine.
Sec =
Dry
Brut =Dry (Champagne)
Demi-sec = Off-dry (in Champagne, fairly
sweet)
Doux = Sweet
Liquoreau = Very Sweet
GERMANY
Germany is best known for white wines, especially
Rieslings.
The labels on German wines provide some clues to the
consumer:
Trocken dry
Halbtroken half-dry
In addition, the German government has created a regulated system for ranking German
wines:
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Qualitatswein mit Pradikat (QmP)
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Highest quality table wine
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Qualitatswein bestimmte Anbaugebiete (QbA)
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Middle quality table wine
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Tafelwein
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Lowest quality table wine
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SPAIN
The wine industry in Spain has a history as long as
France’s. Spain is best known for red wines, sparkling wines and Sherry.
Spanish wine regions:
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Rioja
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Red
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Tempranillo
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Catalonia
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Red
Sparkling wines
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Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
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Jerez
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Sherry
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Label terms for Spanish wines:
Seco = dry
Semi-seco = medium dry
Dulce = sweet
PORTUGAL
Portuguese wines have achieved popularity around the
world, but have not really caught on in the United States.
The wines are strong and not typically as fruity as American wines.
Portuguese wine regions:
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Vinhos Verde
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Red
White
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Douro
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Port
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Dao
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Red
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Bairrada
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Red
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ITALY
Italian wines are divided into 20 regions
Abruzzo
Aosta Valley
Apulia
Basilicata
Calabria
Campania
Emilia-Romagna
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Latium
Liquria
Lombardy
Marches
Molise
Piedmont
Sardinia
Siciliy
Trentino-Alto Adiqe
Tuscany
Umbria
Veneto
Italian wine labels may be marked with these:
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Secco
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dry
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Semisecco
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medium dry
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Abboccatoor Amabile
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medium sweet
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Dolce
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sweet
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CHILE
Chilean wine is gaining popularity in the US, so it
is becoming easier to find.
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Maipo Valley
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Red
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Carmenere
Syrah
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AUSTRALIA
Australian winemakers often employ unconventional
methods when producing wines, creating some unique and flavorful wines.
Australian wine regions:
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Barossa Valley
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Red
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Shiraz/Syrah
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South Australia
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White
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Riesling
Semillion
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Clare Valley, South Australia
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White
Red
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Riesling
Cabernet Sauvignon
Shiraz
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Coonawarra, South Australia
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Red
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Cabernet Sauvignon
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Heathcote, Victoria
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Red
White
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Shiraz
Viognier
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Hunter Valley, New South Wales
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Red
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Shiraz
Semillion
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McLaren Vale, South Australia
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Red
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Shiraz
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Margaret River, Western Australia
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White
Red
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Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon
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Mudgee, New South Wales
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Red
White
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
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Tasmania
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Red
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Pinot Noir
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Yarra Valley, Victoria
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White
Red
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Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
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NEW ZEALAND
The wide contrast in climates and soil types in New
Zealand have created 11 wine regions in the country.
New Zealand wine regions:
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Auckland
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White
Red
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Chardonnay
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
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Canterbury
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White
Red
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Chardonnay
Riesling
Pinot Noir
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Gisborne
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White
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Chardonnay
Riesling
Chenin Blanc Gewurztraminers
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Hawke’s Bay
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White
Red
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Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
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Marlborough
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White
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Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
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Nelson
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White
Red
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Chardonnay
Riesling
Pinot Noir
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Northland
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Red
White
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Chardonnay
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Otago
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Red
White
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Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
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Waikato
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White
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Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Blanc
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Waipara
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White
Red
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Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
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Wairarapa
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Red
White
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Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Riesling
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