Niche wines

Wine is an ancient drink, with roots dating back to biblical times and perhaps even earlier. With such a long history, it’s no wonder that there are countless varieties of wine available today, each with its own unique flavor profile and backstory. While many wine lovers are familiar with well-known varieties like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and chardonnay, there are also numerous that are worth exploring.

What exactly are niche <a href="https://www.neuralword.com/en/article/naked-wines” title=”Naked Wines”>wines? The term refers to wines that are produced in small quantities, often from less common grape varieties or from limited geographic regions. These wines are often made by small, family-owned wineries that focus on quality over quantity. They may not be widely available in stores or restaurants, but if you have the opportunity to try one, it could be a real treat for your taste buds.

One example of a niche wine is orange wine, <a href="https://www.neuralword.com/en/article/do-trader-joes-sell-natural-wines” title=”Do Trader Joes sell natural wines”>which is made from white grapes that are fermented with their skins (similar to red wine) instead of being separated from the juice before fermentation (like most white wines). This gives the wine a distinctive orange color and a tannic, almost savory flavor. Orange wines are made all over the world, but they originated in the Eastern European country of Georgia and are still most closely associated with that region.

Another category of niche wines is wine, which is made with minimal intervention from the winemaker. This means that the grapes are grown without pesticides or herbicides, the fermentation process is allowed to occur naturally (without added yeast or other additives), and the wine is bottled without filtering or fining. Natural wines can be a bit unpredictable, and they tend to be more acidic and tannic than conventionally produced wines, but many wine lovers swear by them for their unique flavor and texture.

Niche wines can also come from unexpected places. For example, England is not typically known for its wine production, but in recent years, its wines have been winning international awards and gaining a dedicated following. This is due in part to the fact that the English climate is well-suited to growing the same grape varieties used in Champagne, France, and also to improvements in winemaking technology and techniques.

Of course, exploring niche wines can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re not sure where to start. One option is to seek out a knowledgeable wine merchant who can recommend niche wines based on your tastes and preferences. You can also attend wine tastings or join a wine club that specializes in unique and hard-to-find wines.

Another approach is to seek out lesser-known wine regions and try wines from those areas. For example, if you’re a fan of pinot noir, you may be familiar with the wines of Burgundy, France, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. However, you may not have tried pinot noir from Germany’s Ahr Valley or Chile’s Bio-Bio Valley. Buying a few bottles from these regions can be a fun way to expand your palate and learn more about the subtle differences in regional winemaking.

Ultimately, exploring niche wines can be a fun and rewarding experience for wine lovers. It allows you to discover new flavors, learn about different winemaking techniques, and support small, independent producers. So the next time you’re shopping for wine, consider stepping outside your comfort zone and trying something new and different. Who knows, you may just find a new favorite!