International variety

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Moldova

An international variety is a

Italian varietals (like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo) has seen an increase in worldwide plantings and these may also be considered "international varieties".[1]

Classic varieties

Merlot grapes growing in the La Mancha region of Spain

Wine expert

Semillon and Syrah.[2]

Other varieties

As the wine industry expands across the globe, particularly in the

Mourvedre, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Gewürztraminer, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinotage (South-Africa) and Viognier.[1]

Noble grapes

A Californian Cabernet Sauvignon.

Noble grapes are any grapes traditionally associated with the highest quality wines. Noble grapes are said to retain their character no matter where they are planted. This concept is not as common today, partly because of the proliferation of hybrid grape varieties, and partly because some critics feel that it unfairly prioritizes varieties grown within France. Historically speaking, the noble grapes comprised only six varieties. The white noble grapes were Sauvignon blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay. The red noble grapes were Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.[3]

Consumer recognition

The popularity and presence of international varieties in winemaking regions throughout the world have contributed to high levels of consumer recognition for some of these varieties that often appear on wine labels as varietal wines. The recognition is so great for varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay that many consumers believe these names are either wine regions or

Frank Prial of The New York Times notes that the name recognition of a grape like Chardonnay is so powerful that it "transcends the product or its producers".[4]

Criticism

The familiar flavors and name recognition of Chardonnay have seen the variety pop up in regions throughout the world.

International varieties have been criticized as both a symbol and instigator of the globalization of wine, in which local indigenous grape varieties are grubbed up in favor of the big names demanded by international markets. In the late 20th century, during the "Chardonnay-boom", vineyards throughout the world and particularly in emerging wine industries rushed to plant acres of Chardonnay in order to capture some of the market. Examples of this occurred in south Italy and Spain where ancient

Mataro vineyards were ripped up in favor of new Chardonnay plantings.[5] This created a backlash of sorts against not only Chardonnay, but also other international varieties. Wine expert Oz Clarke
described a view of Chardonnay in this light as "...the ruthless coloniser and destroyer of the world's vineyards and the world's palates."

Even within the industry, there are protests against the trend of planting international varieties at the expense of local varieties with winemakers such as the

cathedrals".[6]

See also

  • Mondovino – a film about the globalization of wine that deals with the topic of international varieties

External links

The Original Red Noble Grapes - infographic on DryRedWines.com

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 0-19-860990-6
  2. ISBN 1-56305-434-5
  3. Home & Garden Television
    . Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  4. ^ F. Prial "Wine Talk: Looking Beyond Cabs and Pinots", New York Times, September 19, 2001
  5. ISBN 0-15-100714-4
  6. ^ J. Lichfield, "The film-maker who took on the wine world", The Independent, November 6, 2004
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