Native Grape Odyssey_CA

Europe. Quality. Wine.
One project, three countries, and limitless wine knowledge.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Named after an ancient city & province of its origin, pane di Matera is a country-style sourdough bread made with semolina, natural yeast, salt, and water. We think it goes best with a regional red, try a piece of this bread with some cold cuts and a nice glass of Matera Rosso

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Rueda takes shape in 1980, being the first Designation of Origin of Castile and Leon to receive this recognition. Since then, white wines of Rueda have obtained a significant and unique international fame.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Matera DOC covers a tiny zone in Basilicata in southern Italy. It was awarded its DOC classification in 2005, Matera is allowed to produce six wines. But can you tell us which is Matera DOC’s most common white?
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Greco Bianco.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Basilicata is in the south of Italy - here, Matera is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was nominated as 2019’s European Capital of Culture. Since 1993 the “Sassi” and the Park of the Rock Churches are World Heritage Sites. We think it has pretty great wine too

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

These principles associated with the “sweetness” of wine is determined by the interaction of several factors such as the amount of sugar in the wine, but also the relative levels of alcohol, acids, and tannins.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

We love poetry and wine poetry even more  “A great wine requires a madman to make the vine grow, a wise man to watch over it, a lucid poet to make it, and a lover to drink it.” – Salvador Dalí.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is intense ruby red, with characteristic fruity and black cherry, floral (like violet) and spicy notes. On the palate it is very structured, balanced with good tannins that make this wine suitable for ageing.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

In the 13th c., King Alfonso X told all #Spanish inns to serve food each time there was wine on a table, this became known as a “#Tapa”, and its purpose was to reduce and cap the effects of alcohol. Maybe that’s why this word can be literally translated as “cover”.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

The Tuscan Montepulciano region makes some crazy good wine but not from Montepulciano! The wines here are actually a blend of Sangiovese and other local grape varieties, a cause for great confusion but also great wines!

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Did you know that the word Terroir comes from the French word “Terre” meaning “soil”? In the wine world it means how a particular region’s climate, soils and aspect (terrain) affect the taste of wine.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

What kind of meal would go perfectly with a glass of Greco di Tufo DOCG? Baccalà alla pertecaregna, a dish originally prepared for the men ploughing the fields – typically from Irpinia, it is made of cod fish, cruschi peppers, garlic, olive oil and a pinch of parsley!

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Although Tempranillo is the most widely grown grape in Spain, other varieties are gaining ground. Mencia in Bierzo (León), Albariño in Rías Baixas (Galicia) & then there is also a variety from the Mediterranean that stands out for its large size - Bobal!

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Campania’s Greco di Tufo DOCG wine is produced in the province of Avellino; it has a mineral aroma with good body; straw yellow in color, & has a fresh flavor. As a dry white wine, it brings hints of citrus and apple, but also of broom flowers.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Campania is located on the south-western portion of Italy. With 55 UNESCO world heritage sites; It is also home to one of the most famous Italian wines! the Greco di Tufo-an emblem of the great contribution that the Irpinia territory has given to the Italian wine heritage.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Does your wine taste like rocks? Most would say it is “mineral” Most scientists agree that minerality occurs in tandem with sulfur dioxide, a compound characteristic of reductive-style wines, & some other sulfur compounds contributing to the qualities of dimensionality & length.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Teroldego Rotaliano DOC is a wine from the colder northern Italian area of Trentino-Alto Adige, it goes very well with porcini soup; porcini (fresh & dried), garlic, stale bread bits, vegetable broth and some parsley - A heart (and soul) healthy combination!

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Cava is a famous Spanish sparkling wine; made using the Champenoise or traditional method. A high-quality label; "paraje Calificado" it’s produced with grapes from a single parcel & has specific edaphic & microclimatic conditions, & production & ageing methods ensuring quality.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

Teroldego Rotaliano DOC wines from Trentino Alto-Adige. Dark in color, bright fruit notes of cranberry & pomegranate, blackberry & raspberry. Expect spicy pepper, a hint of cinnamon or anise, & black earthiness. Acidity is also good but tannins aren’t overly astringent.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

The Italian Trentino-Alto Adige regions’ wineries are commonly called “Schloss” - the German word for castle. With 9 DOCs & 4 IGPs. In 2017, it produced just over a million hectoliters of wine, more than 2/3 of it white & 91% at the DOP level, the highest % of any region.

[Native Grape Odyssey_CA @NGOWineCourseCA]

When wine nerds say “Bouquet” we are not referring to a bunch of flowers… it refers to the complex scents and smells developed during wine ageing - commonly used to refer to the smells of wines that have aged and matured significantly.