Highbrow Magazine - vineyeards https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/vineyeards en The Tradition of Natural Winegrowing in Bordeaux https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10256-tradition-natural-winegrowing-bordeaux <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/food" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Food</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Wed, 11/13/2019 - 04:30</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1redwine.jpg?itok=zO5phITd"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1redwine.jpg?itok=zO5phITd" width="480" height="320" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>(NewsUSA) - The holiday season is fast approaching. In anticipation of entertaining and gift-giving, now is the time of year we really start to think about wine. Sure, there will be tons of flashy packaging and labels to help find "the best," but have you ever stopped to think about what's actually in your wine?</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The Modern Wine "Factory" </strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Even under FDA regulations, U.S. mass wine producers like many in California can include up to 70 additives in their wines. Colorings like "mega purple" or "ultra-red," synthetic fertilizers, tartaric acid, powdered tannins, and gum Arabic don't even have to be disclosed on the label. Once again, consider California wines: Overall, many aim for consistency year after year. Mass-producing wine in some parts of the world is more like a factory than a vineyard. Although there is something to be said for uniformity, a lot of the magic of winemaking is lost. It's no surprise that all-natural and organic wines are gaining popularity year after year.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>What's Old Is New Again </strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Not all wine regions use these artificial tactics. Natural winegrowing and winemaking are not new to Bordeaux. Not only has this region been making wine naturally for centuries, they are literally required to do so. They believe in the art and science of maintaining the holistic health of the region as well as each individual estate's ecosystem. Only nature determines the wine. Artificial enhancement or even irrigation is forbidden.</p> <p> </p> <p>In Bordeaux, it's more than just the law. It's a passion for winemaking methods passed down for hundreds of years. It all starts with the "terroir"- the soil and unique climate conditions where the grapes are grown. Vineyards on two sides of the same hill can produce vastly different characteristics.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/4redwine.jpg" style="height:400px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>"Every year nature provides wine makers in Bordeaux a fresh canvas," says sommelier and wine expert Joel Prato. "This relationship with nature is evident in the unique taste of each Bordeaux vintage." In a place like Bordeaux, the seasons also have a huge influence on the character of a vintage. Weather can make or break a year. For example, a 2013 Bordeaux is a rare sight as fluctuating weather conditions meant many vineyards didn't have a crop to bottle. Nature determines production, not factory settings.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music and Wine</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Making natural wine is not always easy. To combat the elements, innovative winemakers like Damien Landouar of Château Gaby are turning heads by introducing techniques like Genodics - playing music to the vineyards to boost their natural immunity. When you can't count on additives and chemicals, you have to be creative. His vines most likely have better taste in music than most people.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Highly Rated, Naturally </strong></p> <p> </p> <p>If you're new to natural wines from places like Bordeaux or want to try a highly rated vintage from the region, here are some recommendations:</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Château Gaby (Canon Fronsac)</strong> - Grown on a 350-year-old vineyard, Château Gaby is Bordeaux's best-kept secret. This complex and well-structured merlot blend is ranked in the top 1 percent of all wines in the region by Vivino and given 92 points by <em>Decanter Magazine</em>.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Château Auguste Rosé (Entre-deux-Mers)</strong> - Step aside, Provence. Bordeaux is making a statement with this organic rosé. Racy, precise, and light on its feet, Château Auguste celebrates strawberries and tangerines with bright minerality.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/5redwines.jpg" style="height:421px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Château Moya (Côtes de Castillon)</strong> - A picture of elegance, smooth and balanced. Taste how good organic can be with Château Moya. Awarded 96 points by Jancis Robinson, this wine is a heavenly pairing for delicate cheeses and fresh, seasonal dishes.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Château Du Parc (Saint Émilion Grand Cru)</strong> - Château Du Parc is grown on older vines in an appellation known for its wine since the days of Ancient Rome. This broad-shouldered and spicy blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc was given 94 points by James Suckling. Learn more at chateau-duparc.com.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>©2019 </strong><a href="https://www.newsusa.com/articles/article/whats-in-your-wine-may-surprise-you.aspx"><strong>NewsUSA</strong></a><strong> -- Copyright-Free Syndication.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Image Sources:</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://www.piqsels.com/en/public-domain-photo-ssbeq"><em>Piqsels</em></a><em> (Creative Commons)</em></p> <p><a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/grapes-wine-grapes-purple-grapes-1952073/"><em>Jill Wellington</em></a><em> (Pixabay – Creative Commons)</em></p> <p><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Several_Bordeaux_wines.jpg"><em>Colin</em></a><em> (Wikimedia.org – Creative Commons)</em></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/bordeaux" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">bordeaux</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/bordeaux-wines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">bordeaux wines</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/natural-winemaking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">natural winemaking</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/vineyeards" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">vineyeards</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/french-wines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">french wines</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/organic-wines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">organic wines</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The Editors</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:30:51 +0000 tara 9162 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10256-tradition-natural-winegrowing-bordeaux#comments