The spirit of knowing

An expert gives us the ABCs of organic, biodynamic and natural wines. What exactly do these terms mean?

Rare is a grape variety as multifaceted as this magnificent white originating from the Loire Valley, that can produce dry, lively wines, rich and floral vintages, and even the entire range of sweet wines, including dessert wines and even botyrized wines (those affected by what we call “noble rot”)—not to mention sparkling wines of great quality. Its aromas of pear and sometimes peach, white flowers, and even honey or wet wool, are endowed with remarkable complexity.

An underestimated Mediterranean grape variety! For quite some time, very little merit has been accorded to Cinsault, a grape variety originating from the Rhône and Languedoc regions. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say it has been granted only a single virtue: its ability to produce a high volume of fruit—perfect for creating inexpensive cuvées or easy-to-drink rosés for guzzling.

When it comes to those lesser-known grape varieties that turn out to be veritable treasures, Mencia is definitely hard to beat. A grape variety primarily found in the Bierzo and Ribera Sacra districts in the northern Spain, Mencia is also known as Jaen in Portugal, where it is used in the production of Dão wines. Some 30 years ago, it had a pretty modest reputation.

Identifying grape varieties: a real challenge!

The story of absinthe is one filled with legends, fantastic tales, contradictions and mysteries. More than any other alcoholic drink, absinthe has been at the heart of controversy and has been the subject of quite a lot of speculation—for good reasons, and for some not so very good reasons.

Le vin grec gagne en popularité au Québec. Pour l’amateur curieux, le pays est un coffre aux trésors riche en découvertes. Il recèle des centaines de cépages indigènes, dont plusieurs sont cultivés depuis des milliers d’années.

Many trade magazines and online news sites provide ratings for products. Since it is sometimes difficult to find your way through these different sources, here are some explanations about the different rating systems.

Rosés produced right here in Quebec are becoming even more numerous and even more popular. Have you tried them yet?

Italy produces several excellent types of wine, but only one spirit: the legendary grappa. Transparent or lightly golden when refined, this elixir, the pride of Italians, comes to the table at the end of the meal to be enjoyed by those who love finesse and elegance.

Several lesser-known grape varieties do not qualify as “international”. Such is the case of Verdejo, an indigenous white variety originating from Rueda in the northwest of Spain.

Veneto stands out for three reasons in the world of Italian wine. The most important region in terms of its volume of production, notably because of the remarkable success of Prosecco, it has also brought about unique techniques of production for red wine.