Auxerrois
Auxerrois is a white grape variety that primarily grows in Alsace, France, though you can also find it in Germany, Luxembourg, Canada, and other countries. It produces wines that are light-bodied and crisp, often with aromas and flavors of apple, peach, and apricot, sometimes with floral or mineral notes. The acidity levels can vary from medium to high. Auxerrois wines are typically dry but can also be used to make sweet dessert wines. This varietal is often blended with Pinot Blanc to create balanced wines.
<div class="wikipedia-data"><p><b>Auxerrois</b> is a historical province of France. Named after the city of Auxerre in Burgundy, it gives its name to several grape varieties:
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<ul><li>Auxerrois Blanc, a white wine grape that is widely grown in Alsace, and also in Lorraine, Germany and Luxembourg</li>
<li>Malbec (or Côt), a red wine grape grown in the Cahors region of France, where it is known as Auxerrois</li>
<li>Pinot gris, sometimes called Auxerrois Gris in France</li>
<li>Valdiguié, known as Gros Auxerrois in the South of France</li></ul><div class="wikipedia-link">Wikipedia: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auxerrois">Auxerrois</a></div></div>
Schonberger
The Schonberger varietal is a grape variety typically used in winemaking. Originally from Germany, it is a cross between the robust Müller-Thurgau and the aromatic Muscat Hamburg varieties. It was created to give the robustness of the Müller-Thurgau combined with the floral and exotic fruit flavors of the Muscat.
Schonberger wines exhibit floral, delicate aroma, often with notes of rose petals and tropical fruit. The wine made from these grapes is typically off-dry to sweet and is characterized by high acidity. It is often used in the production of dessert wines.
This grape variety is not very widespread but can be found in vineyards in England, Germany, and New Zealand. It is considered an early to mid-season ripener and prefers cooler climates. In terms of viticulture, Schonberger is noted for its susceptibility to many grape diseases including downy and powdery mildew.
Schonberger tends to produce wines with relatively low alcohol levels. Its high acidity and unique aromatic profile make it particularly suited to the production of sparkling wines as well.
<div class="wikipedia-data"><div class="wikipedia-link">Wikipedia: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schonberger">Schonberger</a></div></div>
Western Australia
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering nearly one third of the continent. Its capital city is Perth, which is home to approximately 75% of the state's population. The state is known for its vast and diverse landscapes, ranging from the lush forests in the south, the arid and rugged outback in the north, to the pristine coastline along the Indian Ocean.
Western Australia is immensely rich in natural resources such as iron ore, gold, oil and natural gas, making mining and petroleum industries major contributors to its economy. The state is also known for its agriculture, particularly wheat and sheep farming, and its burgeoning wine industry.
The southwest region of the state is a biodiversity hot spot with a range of plant and animal life. Western Australia is also home to several World Heritage sites, including Ningaloo Reef and Purnululu National Park.
The state boasts a laid-back lifestyle with an emphasis on outdoor living. Its unique flora and fauna, majestic landscapes, and year-round sunny weather make it a haven for nature lovers, adventurers, and those seeking a relaxed lifestyle. Western Australia also has a rich indigenous history, with many opportunities to learn about the Aboriginal culture and heritage.
In terms of education, Western Australia houses several top-ranked universities and institutions, which is a major pull for international students.
Despite being geographically isolated from the rest of the country, Western Australia has a vibrant arts scene with numerous festivals, galleries, and live music. The state successfully combines the perks of modern urban living with the charm and beauty of nature.
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic city located in the southeastern part of England in the county of Kent. It is most well-known for its iconic Canterbury Cathedral which is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city’s history goes back to Roman times when it was known as Durovernum Cantiacorum. Following the decline of the Roman Empire, the city was abandoned but experienced a resurgence in importance under the Anglo-Saxons and eventually solidified its place in history after St. Augustine made it the episcopal seat of the Catholic Church in England in the 6th century.
Canterbury has a population of around 55,000 and covers an area of 40.20 square kilometers. It is home to several museums like the Canterbury Roman Museum and the Canterbury Heritage Museum. It also boasts multiple parks, theatres, and a bustling city center teeming with shops, restaurants, and pubs. Its economy is fueled primarily by tourism, retail, and education—with several schools, colleges, and universities like the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University located there.
Canterbury is not just rich in history—it's also famous for being the setting of Geoffrey Chaucer's 14th-century collection of stories, "The Canterbury Tales", which tells the story of a group of pilgrims traveling from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket.
Zigzag streets and pretty flint cottages give this cathedral city a historic feel, while its cultural festivals, bustling shops, galleries, and lively arts scene ensure there is always something exciting happening. Overall, Canterbury is a city that blends the old and the new to create a place with a unique character and charm.
Tarrango
Tarrango is a red wine grape varietal, created by the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) in Australia during the 1960s. It is a cross between the Portuguese grape variety, Sultana and the versatile Touriga Nacional.
The wine produced from Tarrango grapes is often used to make light, fruity red wines with a unique aroma reminiscent of strawberries. It is typically served chilled, making it perfect for warmer weather. The flavour does not have the depth of some heavier reds, but it is known for its fresh, bright character.
Tarrango does not possess the tannic structure for ageing and is often consumed young. Due to its lighter style, Tarrango wines are sometimes compared to White Zinfandel or other blush wines, despite being produced from a red grape.
While it is a relatively lesser-known varietal and not widely grown globally, Tarango has been successful in Australia, primarily cultivated in the regions of Murray Darling, Riverland, and Riverina.
<div class="wikipedia-data"><p>
<b>Tarrango</b> is a red grape variety used in Australian wine production. This slow-ripening grape was created in 1965 by the CSIRO Horticultural Research Station at Merbein in Victoria, Australia, as a hybrid of Touriga Nacional and Sultana in order to create wines of good acidity, but low in tannin. Its wines are often similar to Beaujolais in style. Requiring an unusually warm climate, it is principally grown in the wine-producing areas of northern Victoria.
</p><div class="wikipedia-link">Wikipedia: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarrango">Tarrango</a></div></div>
Taminga
Taminga is a white wine grape variety that originated in Australia. It was developed by CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) in 1970 through a crossing of Traminer and Gewürztraminer.
Taminga is known for its high acidity, strong pineapple and tropical fruit flavors, and resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew. It tends to produce bright, fruity wines suitable for both dry and sweet styles, including botrytized and fortified wines.
The grape has been praised for its ability to maintain natural acidity in the hot Australian climate, even when left on the vine to produce a late harvest style. This makes it a potentially valuable grape for regions challenged by global warming.
Having said that, it's a fairly rare varietal and is typically grown in only a few regions in Australia such as Riverland and Murray Darling.
<div class="wikipedia-data"><p><b>Taminga</b> is white Australian wine grape variety that was developed in the late 20th century by viticulturalist and grape breeder A.J. Antcliff. It is a cross of a previously created crossing Merbein 29-56 and the <i>Vitis vinifera</i> variety Traminer Rot (Gewürztraminer) Like Tarrango, a 1960s crossing between Touriga Nacional and Sultana, Taminga was bred to maintain high acidity levels while growing in hot Australian vinyards. Early results from Taminga show that it can ripen consistently in different vineyard location and produce wines that wine expert Jancis Robinson describes as "commercially acceptable.</p><div class="wikipedia-link">Wikipedia: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taminga">Taminga</a></div></div>
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng is a white wine grape variety that is grown primarily in South West France. The grape is most well-known for its sweet wines in Jurançon and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh but it can also produce dry wines with high acidity. The grapes are small with thick skins which contribute to the concentration and complexity of flavors in the wine.
Wines made from Petit Manseng can be medium to full-bodied with flavors of tropical fruit, honey, spice and often a distinct minerality or zesty citrus note. They also can develop rich, creamy notes when aged in oak. Due to its high acidity and potential for high sugar levels, Petit Manseng wines are known to age well. The varietal is also resistant to rot, making it a hardy choice for wine growers in wetter climates.
<div class="wikipedia-data"><p><b>Petit Manseng</b> (sometimes translated: <b>Small Manseng</b>, rarely "Little Manseng") is a white wine grape variety that is grown primarily in South West France. It produces the highest quality wine of any grape in the Manseng family. The name is derived from its small, thick skin berries. Coupled with the small yields of the grapevine, most Petit Manseng farmers produce around 15 hl of wine per hectare. The grape is often left on the vine till December to produce a late harvest dessert wine. The grape is grown primarily in Gascony, Jurançon and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh but has recently drawn interest in New World wine regions like California, North Georgia, Virginia, and Ohio. In May 2020, CSIRO scientists discovered through DNA analysis that Australia's plantings of Petit Manseng, first imported in 1979, are in fact Gros Manseng. The reason is that it is expected to follow Viognier's path to popularity among white wine drinkers. It was already present in Uruguay, when Basque settlers brought "Manseng" and Tannat vines with them to their new home. Despite being easily recognizable as a white grape while true Manseng is a black grape, wine that is Petit Manseng is still normally labeled as just "Manseng". The grape is often left on the vine to produce a late harvest wine made from its nearly raisin like grapes.</p><div class="wikipedia-link">Wikipedia: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petit Manseng">Petit Manseng</a></div></div>
Gisborne
Gisborne is a city located on the eastern coast of North Island, in New Zealand. It's also known as the first city in the world to greet the sun each day, due to its easternmost position. Brandishing a population of around 34,400 (as per stats in June 2021), Gisborne is the largest settlement in the area known as the Gisborne Region.
The city is highly noted for its sunny and warm climate, with an array of beautiful beaches and scenic attractions nearby, including the Rere Falls and the Eastwoodhill Arboretum.
Gisborne is at the heart of the country's wine industry, particularly renowned for its chardonnay. The region also delivers a wide range of produce, dairy and meat.
Rich in Maori culture, Gisborne was the first landing spot of the canoes that carried Maori ancestors from Polynesia. It was named for an early Colonial Secretary William Gisborne.
In terms of education, Gisborne has a number of high schools, primary schools and early childhood centres.
The city is serviced by a regional airport (Gisborne Airport) the eastern terminus of the Palmerston North–Gisborne railway line. It provides residents and visitors with a range of services and amenities while keeping that unique small-town feel.
Vermont
Vermont, though not traditionally known as a major wine-producing state, has developed a burgeoning wine industry characterized by its unique climate and innovative winemaking techniques. The state's wine regions are primarily concentrated in areas that benefit from the microclimates created by the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain.
The Champlain Valley is one of the most prominent wine regions in Vermont. This area benefits from the moderating effects of Lake Champlain, which helps extend the growing season and protect vines from harsh winter temperatures. The valley's fertile soils and relatively mild climate make it suitable for growing cold-hardy grape varieties such as Marquette, La Crescent, and Frontenac. These grapes are well-suited to Vermont's climate and are used to produce a range of wines, from dry reds and whites to sweet dessert wines.
In addition to the Champlain Valley, other areas in Vermont are also contributing to the state's wine production. The southern regions, including the areas around Brattleboro and Bennington, are home to several vineyards and wineries. These regions often focus on producing wines from hybrid grape varieties that can withstand Vermont's colder temperatures.
Vermont's wine industry is marked by a spirit of experimentation and sustainability. Many winemakers in the state are committed to organic and biodynamic farming practices, reflecting a broader trend towards environmentally conscious viticulture. The use of hybrid grape varieties, which are more resistant to cold and disease, is a testament to the innovative approaches being employed to overcome the challenges posed by Vermont's climate.
Overall, Vermont's wine regions offer a unique and diverse range of wines that reflect the state's distinctive terroir and the creativity of its winemakers. The growing reputation of Vermont wines is attracting attention from wine enthusiasts and contributing to the state's emerging status as a noteworthy wine destination in the northeastern United States.