"Leo Bueno" > wrote in message
...
>
> http://www.fosters.com.au/wine/histo...ry_of_wine.asp
> Since these early times the humble vine can be found growing in most
> countries in a wide variety of climates. The primary species is Vitis
> vinifera and of the thousands of cultivars only around 30 are
> regularly cultivated and of these only a dozen or so are considered to
> be premium.
>
> Which are the 12 "premium" varieties?
>
> I suspect the list includes:
> 1. Chardonnay
> 2. Riesling
> 3. Sauvignon Blanc
> 4. Pinot Gris/Grigio
> 5. Cabernet Sauvignon
> 6. Merlot
> 7. Syrah/Shiraz
> 8. Sangiovese
>
>
Hi Leo and all,

the word 'premium' presents something of a problem for me because it's hard
for me to decide whether a grape is good enough for that title. For example,
I'm pretty certain that Grenache claims the biggest part of the globe under
it (for black grape) but whether or not it's a 'premium' variety is another
question. In my opinion it is: some of my very favourite wines are Grenache
based but I think that the bulk of those vines are destined to produce thin,
uninteresting wines in, for example, La Mancha.
Airen, which can claim the most land under vine for white grape and all
Vitis Vinifera, on the other hand never produces anything but dull wine.
Well, I've never had one or even heard of one. And as such won't go on my
list.

Here's mine, based on land under vine and being good grapes :-).

1. Grenache
2. Carignan
3. Merlot
4. Cabernet Sauvignon
5. Mourvedre
6. Tempranillo
7. Chardonnay
8. Sangiovese
9. Cinsault
10. Muscat
11. Pinot Noir
12. Sauvignon Blanc

Airen, Ugni Blanc, Rkatsitli, Bobal, Laski Rizling, Catarratto, Aligote and
Chenin could fit here if I liked them.
Riesling, Carmenere and Semillon can't, despite extra love from me.

I hope this helps ;-)
Sammy