The Vignoles
Grape
A versatile white hybrid grape variety used in the United States, particularly in New York and Missouri, capable of producing wines ranging from dry to very sweet, including ice wines. Vignoles wines are noted for their floral aromas and flavors of pineapple, apricot, and citrus.
Vignoles
Grape History
Vignoles, also known as Ravat 51, is a white wine grape variety that is believed to have originated in France. The grape is a cross between Pinot Noir and Seibel, and it was developed by French grape breeder Jean Louis Vidal in the mid-20th century. Vignoles is known for its versatile nature, producing wines that range from dry to sweet, with flavors of tropical fruits, citrus, and honey.
Vignoles is primarily grown in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and East Coast regions. Some of the top states for Vignoles production include Missouri, New York, and Illinois. The grape's ability to thrive in cooler climates makes it an ideal choice for these regions.
Vignoles is used in both varietal and blended wines. It is commonly used to produce late-harvest and dessert wines due to its high sugar content and excellent acidity. The grape's naturally thick skin also makes it well-suited for producing botrytized wines, where the grapes are infected with noble rot, resulting in complex, honeyed flavors.
In terms of future projections, Vignoles is gaining popularity among winemakers and wine enthusiasts alike. Its adaptability to different winemaking styles and flavor profiles make it a valuable grape variety for producing high-quality wines. As the demand for unique and expressive wines continues to grow, Vignoles is expected to become more widely recognized and sought after in the wine market. Additionally, the grape's resilience to cold weather and disease makes it a sustainable option for winemakers looking to diversify their vineyards.
Overall, Vignoles is a grape variety with a rich history, interesting characteristics, and promising future in the world of winemaking. Its ability to produce a wide range of wines makes it a versatile and valuable asset to the wine industry.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel