Elizabeth Gabay - All Comments

RE: The Role of White Grapes in Rosé

Thomas Ilkjaer — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 10:16:57 GMT

Thank you for an interesting article on a subject I agree is often somewhat misunderstood. But I think a general EU-ban on blending white and red wine for still rosé wines is part of that misunderstanding.

EU regulation 934/2019 (supplementing regulation 1308/2013) coverning the authorised oenological practices clearly states that blending of a white wine and a red wine to make a rosé wine is only prohibited for wines without PDO/PGI. And that rule does not apply if the intention of the blending is to make a cuvée for a sparkling wine.

So, for still wines as far as the general EU-rules go blending is okay for PDO/PGI wines and for sparkling wines even for wines without PDO/PGI. This understanding was confirmed to me directly in an e-mail from the EU-office in Bruxelles.

I believe the proposal you refer to, was the proposal to lift the ban for the still wines without PDO/PGI which would leave a whole new opportunity for blending really cheap white and red wines which a lot of European wine bodies saw as a threat to their businesses.

The single EU member states and of course the specific production rules for PDO/PGI wines can then have rules that forbid the blending in question. But I believe that if a member states general wine laws or the specific regulations for a PDO/PGI does not explicitly either forbid the blending of a white wine and a red wine or have specific regulations for allowed methods then it is legal.

RE: Great Whites of Southern France

Chris Sciacca — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 11:58:40 GMT

Thanks for highlighting one of the varietals, which needs to be known more -- Roussanne. In fact, I just planted a few rows in Austria, which I believe are the first. Let's see if the varietal is as magical here as it is in the Rhone. You can read more about my vineyard at www.kapitelzwei.wine

RE: Great Whites of Southern France

Bob Lipinski — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 20:47:38 GMT

Elizabeth... very good article. Thank you!

RE: Great Whites of Southern France

Alex Bardsley — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 05:42:44 GMT

Fascinating and useful, both from the historical perspective and what it reveals about the potential of different varieties in the face of climate change. But a couple things about Clairette aren't quite clear:

Does Clairette really produce high sugar levels yet low alcohol?

"Traditionally, [Clairette] was favored because it is late ripening and for its high sugar levels and acidity"

"Growers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where 7% of wine production is white, are beginning to plant more Clairette in part because of the acidity it can provide to a blend. Producers are also drawn to its naturally low alcohol levels"

And is Clairette the same as Picardin or not?

"During the Middle Ages, Clairette was known as Picardan."

"a minimum of 55% Clairette, Clairette Rosé, Bourboulenc, and Picardin."