Saturday 21 August 2010

Crouchen does not adapt successfully to as wide a range of climates as Rhine Riesling does. It does not ripen in very cool areas and loses its character in a hot climate. In areas to which it is adapted, it produces pleasant dry white wines with a delicate varietal character that can improve with ageing.

Tuesday 10 August 2010

Wine-making with Clairette

Oxidation occurs very readily during wine-making with Clairette, and ‘rancio’ wines made with overripe grapes are still covered by the French-controlled appellation regulations. Clairette also imparts a distinctive varietal character in the absence of oxidation and is used in many appellation wines, both still and sparkling. It is sometimes used alone but more often in combination with other varieties: some red wines contain up to 20% Clairette.