Indian Food Wine Pairing

A woman’s hand holds a wine glass full of red hot pepper om a

Wine and Indian food tandem isn’t as common as combining the grape drink with Italian, French, or Spanish cuisines. It’s no wonder. Due to the complex flavors and mind-blowing amount of various spices, pairing wine with Indian food can be extremely challenging.

Cumin, cayenne, coriander, clove, cinnamon, turmeric, tamarind, fenugreek, cardamom, and other Indian spices are real game-changers when it comes to creating taste combinations that are unlike anything found elsewhere on Earth.

To make a win-win choice, you should follow several rules for pairing wine with Indian dishes. So what should you consider, and what are the best wines to pair with your favorite Indian meals?

How Spicy Is the Dish?

Spice is really the icing on the cake when it comes to Indian cuisine. To counterbalance spice, you should pay attention to the three key points:

  • choose wines with a lower content of alcohol
  • wines must be served cool
  • wines must have a bit of sweetness

If you are a fan, for instance, of the spiciest curry in the world, Phaal Curry, to prepare which chefs need to wear gas masks, then go for off-dry or sweet white wines. Due to their refreshing characteristics, Riesling or Gewürztraminer will be ideal for cutting intense spices before they make you sweat!

The above-mentioned wines also work perfectly well with other spicy Indian dishes like Andhra Chilli Chicken, Rista, Laal Maas, or Kohzi Curry.

Although it’s a common misconception to believe that all Indian food is tongue-scorching, that’s not entirely true.

Indian cuisine features a huge variety of flavors and spices, and you might be surprised to learn that not every dish contains a ton of red chili peppers. Garam masala, cumin, and coriander are some of the essential spices in Indian cooking, yet they don’t always pack a lot of heat.

Those Indian dishes that are on the milder side, such as Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, or Korma, work best with dry wine options like a Chardonnay or a rich Bordeaux Blanc.

What is the Sauce?

Indian food and indian cuisine dishes, copy space

The sauce is one more important element to consider when pairing Indian food and wines.

Sauces used in the main dishes are typically tomato-based, creamy-based, or green sauces.

Tomato-Based Sauces

Tomato-based Indian dishes are always at the top of the menu. These include well-liked Tomato Curry, Tomato Dal, Vindaloo Lamb, Dal Makhani or Paneer Makhni, Baingan Bharta, and many others.

For tomato-based dishes, pick high-acidity white wines or fruity rosé wines to complement the acidity of tomatoes. Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel, and Shiraz are the best options.

Cream-Based Sauces

Chicken Tikka Masala, Korma, Butter Chicken, Mango Lassi, Pasanda, and other Indian dishes use heavy cream, butter, half-and-half, greek yogurt, and soy or coconut milk to form a thick sauce and soften the burning spices.

An Indian dish made with a cream-based sauce is considered a perfect partner for deeper red wine with medium tannins such as Carignan, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, and Barbera.

Green Sauces

To get a mouth-watering herbaceous sauce, chefs slow-cook leafy greens with creams, onions, and various spices. Cilantro Chutney or Green Chutney is the most popular Indian green sauce, usually served with savory dishes.

Green sauces match wines pretty well, especially white and sparkling ones with a slight green profile. Muscadet, Vinho Verde, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling will highlight the herbal element in the dishes making your feasting experience unforgettable.

What is the Protein?

Just like with any other cuisine, depending on the protein in your dish, your wine choice will differ.

For example, full-bodied reds with a rich mouthfeel will perfectly match meat curries and emphasize the generosity of meat. Shiraz blends and Cabernet blends will hit the mark.

Seafood and vegetable curries, by contrast, pair quite well with the mouth-watering acidity and fruitiness of a Pinot Grigio or Gewürztraminer.

Still, don’t forget to consider the sauce and spice level when making your choice.

The Most Popular Indian Food and Wine Pairings to Try

Even though a grape drink typically isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Indian food, wine lovers are everywhere! So check out the most well-liked Indian food and wine pairings.

Chicken Tikka Masala and Pinot Grigio

A creamy tomato sauce-based dish, Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes. Apart from tomato puree, coconut cream, and butter, the sauce includes a bunch of spices like cardamom, cumin, garam masala, ground coriander, and turmeric.

The most well-liked wine with Chicken Tikka Masala is Pinot Grigio. The wine has high acidity, so it will cope with the acidity of tomatoes. Also, due to its strong flavors, Pinot Grigio won’t get overpowered by the sauce.

Alternatively, you can pick Riesling and Gewürztraminer, which also perfectly fit the bill.

Saag Paneer and Sauvignon Blanc

Saag Paneer is the best-known vegetarian Indian dish made of paneer ( Indian cheese,) mature fresh or frozen spinach, gravy, onions, and a mixture of various spices such as cumin, black pepper, garam masala, coriander, ginger, garlic, and ground turmeric.

The “green” herbal flavors and racy acidity of Sauvignon Blanc will cut through the richness of the Indian cheese providing you with a real taste pleasure. If you are a red wine lover, then Cabernet Sauvignon is another good option.

Chicken Vindaloo and Grüner Veltliner

If you are among those daredevils who prefer dishes with an extra spicy level, like Chicken Vindaloo, then you’ll need to pick a sweet wine with a lower alcohol content.

The spice level that forms mainly from the chili and vinegar base of the dish will pair well with Grüner Veltliner. This combination will allow you to enjoy all the ingredients in the spicy curry and help avoid (or at least lessen) the mouth-burning sensation.

Dal-Chawal and Chenin Blanc

Rice dishes are a separate gastronomy galaxy in Indian cuisine. Dal-Chawal, which translates to “lentil rice,” is one of the brightest representatives.

A creamy lentil and rice meal is extremely rich and delicious. It’s made with cooked lentils in a curry or soup-like consistency, with various spices like turmeric, cumin, ghee, mustard seeds, etc.

The best pair for the comforting Dal-Chawal is the white wine Chenin Blanc, which has a higher acidity and a light flavor. Besides adding a burst of flavor to the dish, it will cut through the buttery texture and help bring out the savory side of your meal.

What About Desserts?

Gulab Gajak Mithai, Pista Gazak, Til Patti Or Papdi, Til Laddu O

By no means could we skip a sweet part. What brings Gulab Jamun, Kulfi, Modak, Khaja, Rasgulla, and other Indian desserts together? They are very, extremely sweet.

Avoid wines with too oaky or smoky flavors. On the contrary, choose fruity ones that are subtly sweet.

One of the great options to pair with the rich and fairly complex Indian desserts is Chenin Blanc.

Depending on your dessert’s sweetness level, combining it with many- times-mentioned Gewürztraminer is also a no-lose choice. Just keep it sweet!

The Bottom Line

Due to the significant number of various spices and sauces, Indian cuisine is highly versatile. Though it may seem a bit challenging, pairing wine with Indian food is more than possible.

To hit the target, you need to keep several things in mind. First, the level of spiciness. If you are a fan of tongue-scorching food, then off-dry or sweet white wines like Riesling or Gewürztraminer will be an ideal choice.

If you prefer less spicy dishes, then go for dry options like a Chardonnay or a rich Bordeaux Blanc.

Also, don’t forget to consider sauces and proteins when making a choice. As for the extra-sweet Indian desserts, Chenin Blanc should hit the spot.

Best Wine Pairing With Sushi

Japanese tasty sushi set with a glas of a wine

Are you preparing for sushi night and don’t know what wines will perfectly match your favorite sushi sets? Luckily, you’ve come to the right place!

Picking an ideal wine is essential for enhancing your dining experience and making it more memorable. While sake is known for tasting like heaven with basically every kind of sushi and sashimi pairing, many wines also highlight those pure fish flavors.

As you know, each roll is topped with different seafood and fish. Therefore, pairing it with the right-tasting wine is vital for reaching the perfect balance and getting maximum pleasure.

Read on and find that ideal bottle for your sushi night!

Pinot Noir

Try it with Nigiri

You’ve probably heard of the ‘rule’ that fish pairs well only with whites. The good news for red wine lovers: there are a few delicate reds that match perfectly with your favorite sushi sets.

A well-liked Pinot Noir is among them. Moreover, it’s considered one of the most food-friendly red wines. What’s the reason for such an honor?

First and foremost, Pinot Noir has an exceptionally delicate flavor that won’t overpower the fish and instead will complement your dish.

A light wine with fruity notes pairs particularly well with yellowtail, fatty tuna, or sea urchin.

Consider a bottle of pinot from the Willamette Valley. The wines from this region have a well-earned reputation for being elegant, light, fruity, and easy to drink.

Kabinett Riesling

Rainbow sushi roll with salmon

Try it with Spicy Tuna Roll

For all spicy sushi lovers who want to reach a real “foodgasm,” Kabinett Riesling is a must-try.

Kabinett Riesling is at the top of the pairing list for a couple of reasons. First, it fits most budgets and tastes.

Also, this versatile white wine is well-known for its acidity, intense flavors, and ability to complement a great variety of foods.

An off-dry Riesling goes particularly well with rolls made with spicy mayo or chili oil. Its aroma, sweetness, and high acidity will certainly turn the dial down on chili heat, making sushi night a real adventure!

Sauvignon Blanc

Try it with Avocado Nigiri and Philadelphia Roll

A popular and unmistakable Sauvignon Blanc is a much-loved white wine known for its “green” herbal flavors and racy acidity.

Sauvignon Blanc and sushi pairing are considered a real classic. A semi-aromatic wine with fruity-floral notes and vegetable nuances pairs especially well with vegetable-based and cheesy sushi such as Avocado Nigiri and Philadelphia Roll.

If you are a vegetarian, do not doubt that Sauvignon Blanc is the best wine for you. Its brightness and high acidity will create unforgettable taste sensations when combining the wine with your favorite veggie and cheesy sushi rolls.

Pinot Grigio

Try it with Boston Roll and Hamachi Sashimi

Pinot Grigio, which showcases its lemon, pineapple, and grapefruit flavors, goes perfectly with light fish flavors.

So if you enjoy sushi dishes with light, lean cuts of fish, such as Hamachi Sashimi, go for a light-bodied white wine Pinot Grigio!

Also, it makes a perfect match with Boston Roll. The fruity and citrus flavors of the white balance the shrimp and avocado in the roll.

Prosecco

Try it with Shrimp Tempura Roll and Fried California Roll

What about pairing your favorite sushi with a bottle of sparkling wine? This match is undoubtedly hard to beat.

Prosecco is especially delicious with sushi dishes, particularly those with a fried component. The effervescence of the sparkling wine helps to balance out the greasiness of the fried food and harmonize the spice of sauces. Therefore Shrimp Tempura Rolls, Fried California Rolls, and sushi with fried mushrooms or fried tofu are particularly suitable.

After each bite of your beloved rolls, Prosecco’s remarkable acidity and relative simplicity will help to cleanse the palate. Sushi tastes best with an extra-dry Prosecco that also has a hint of sweetness.

So if you want to bring a feeling of fancy to a casual sushi night, find a bottle of affordable Prosecco and enjoy!

Provençal Rosé

Try it with Salmon Avocado Roll and California Roll

Now it’s the turn for rosé wine lovers. Pairing rosé wine with sushi is always a no-lose choice. If we are talking about Provençal Rosé, its dryness, bright acidity, slate minerality, and strawberry notes make it an awesome pairing for sushi containing salmon, tuna, or crab.

Who could resist a mouth-watering California Roll whose ingredients like crab and creamy avocado are just begging for a light, mineral-driven rosé?

If you are not a big fan of raw fish, try pairing wine with veggie maki. Avocado rolls or crunchy rolls with cucumber and rosé wines make a perfect match.

Gewürztraminer

Try it with Sweet Potato Roll and Unagi Roll

An impeccable white wine boasts plenty of complex aromas, including ginger, lychee aroma, rose petals, smoky aroma, and Ruby Red grapefruit. Due to its good freshness and moderate structure, the wine is an infallible classic when paired with sushi.

Gewürztraminer is highly versatile. Its sweetly spiced nature makes a perfect match for Sweet Potato Rolls. Also, the strong taste of Unagi Rolls begs for a wine with comparable strength. So this sushi wine pairing is definitely a must-try.

Mind avoiding high-acid soy sauce when it comes to lower-acid grapes like those in Gewürztraminer. Your taste buds will not pardon such a combination.

Grüner Veltliner

Try it with Dragon Roll

A dry white wine Grüner Veltliner is characterized by hallmark high acidity and a great range of flavors like white pepper, green peas, grapefruit, lime, and lemon.

A Dragon Roll goes especially well with Grüner Veltliner. Just imagine the flavor: the razor-sharp bright acidity cutting through the richness of the eel sauce and the sticky rice, and the green flavors match perfectly with the avocado and cucumber.

Albariño

Try it with Shrimp Tempura Roll

One more great white wine on the list, Albariño, offers a mouth-watering blend of minerality and tropicality that matches flawlessly with seafood and spicy dishes.

A phenomenal combination of Shrimp Tempura Roll and Albariño will surely blow up your taste buds. The shrimp’s sweetness and the sauce’s acidity will weave in the dance with a refreshing citrus flavor, subtle saltiness, dry taste, and high acidity of the white wine.

If you are a fan of Western-style sushi rolls, Albariño will perfectly accompany them too.

Sushi and Wine Pairing: General Rules

Remember that it’s all about simplicity and delicate flavors when pairing sushi with wines. To reach a perfect flavor balance, stick to the following rules:

  • Avoid wines that are excessively showy or full. On the contrary, choose the ones with balance and subtlety.
  • Don’t pick too alcoholic wines as they could clash, especially with Wasabi. Try low-alcohol ones with citrus acidity. Such a choice is always a win-win option.
  • Exclude high-tannin wines such as Chateau Montelena, Nebbiolo, or Syrah. Strong tannins can impart an unpleasant metallic flavor to the fish and also may be excessively tart for the delicate flesh of the fish.

The Bottom Line

sushi and wine

When choosing a wine to accompany your favorite sushi rolls, it’s important to consider your preference first. Fortunately, the choice is vast whether you are a rosé, white, or red wine lover.

If you fancy hand-making or ordering spicy sushi, go for a bottle of off-dry Riesling or Prosecco to harmonize the spiciness. Light, mineral-driven rosé wines best match with cheesy sushi containing salmon, tuna, or crab.

A wine and sushi combo is a great idea for any occasion, whether it’s your cousin’s birthday or a casual summer outing. Just strike the harmony between the two, and enjoy delightful sushi wine pairings! Have you already picked your favorites?

Wine Pairing with Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala in a black ceramic dish

Food and wine pairings are a wonderful way to enhance the enjoyment of your favorite dishes. Wine has many components that can complement different foods and even alter their flavor, making it possible for you to enjoy a whole new experience with each bite.

Chicken Marsala is a dish that pairs wonderfully with wine. The sweet and savory marsala sauce is a great match with the complex notes of red wines, while the chicken itself pairs well with white wines.

The key to pairing wine with chicken marsala is to find one that complements the marsala sauce. The sweet and savory marsala sauce has complex notes of mushrooms, butter, and marsala wine. That means the wine should be able to stand up to the sauce so that neither overpowers the other.

With that in mind, let us look at the flavor profile of chicken marsala and the wine pairings that would best complement it.

Chicken Marsala Flavor Profile

Chicken Marsala is an Italian dish that typically features chicken cutlets that are sautéed and served in a Marsala wine sauce. The chicken dish contains other ingredients, including flour, butter or oil, shallots, mushrooms, and seasonings, such as salt and pepper. Some recipes may also include garlic, parsley, chicken broth, or cream.

The preparation process involves dredging chicken cutlets in flour, then browning them in a pan with butter or oil. After the chicken is cooked through, it is removed from the pan, and a mixture of shallots, mushrooms, and Marsala wine (a key ingredient) is added to the pan to create the sauce. The chicken is then returned to the pan to finish cooking.

What is marsala wine?

Marsala wine is a fortified wine that originates from the Sicilian port town of Marsala in Italy. It can be made from a variety of grape varieties, but the most common are Grillo, Catarratto, and Inzolia.

The flavor profile of Marsala wine can vary depending on the type and aging process, but generally, it is characterized by a rich, amber color and a complex, nuanced taste. It can have notes of dried fruits, nuts, caramel, vanilla, and spices.

Generally, there are two types: Dry marsala wine and sweet marsala wine. Dry Marsala wine has a nutty, savory flavor, while sweet Marsala wine has a more pronounced sweetness, with notes of caramel and dried fruit.

So when we get down to it, the flavor profile of your chicken marsala dish will depend on the ingredients and type of marsala wine you’ll use in the dish. If you use dry Marsala wine, your dish will be less sweet and will have a more nutty flavor. If you use sweet Marsala wine, your dish will have a more pronounced sweetness.

In addition, the type of mushrooms you use in your chicken marsala dish can also change the overall taste of the dish. For instance, if you use cremini mushrooms, your dish will have a slightly earthy flavor. If you use button mushrooms, on the other hand, your dish will be sweeter and have a nutty flavor.

Wine Pairing Chicken Marsala Options

Wine tasting

Dry White Wines

One popular wine pairing for Chicken Marsala is Pinot Grigio. This dry white wine from Northern Italy has a light body and bright acidity that helps to cut through the rich sauce of the dish. The fruity flavors of Pinot Grigio also complement the earthy flavors of the mushrooms in the sauce.

Another great option for pairing with Chicken Marsala is Sauvignon Blanc. This dry medium bodied white wine from France has a crisp acidity and bright citrus flavors that balance the rich flavors of the dish. Sauvignon Blanc also has a high acidity, which can help to cleanse the palate after each bite of the rich sauce.

Other dry white wine options that can complement Chicken Marsala include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Riesling.

Light-Bodied Red Wines

One great option is Pinot Noir. This light-bodied red wine has a delicate flavor profile with notes of cherry and raspberry. Its light and elegant nature makes it a perfect match for the rich and savory flavors of the Chicken Marsala. The acidity of the Pinot Noir also helps to cut through the richness of the dish, making it a well-balanced pairing.

Another great option is Valpolicella. This red wine is made from a blend of grape varieties in the Veneto region of Italy. It has a fruity and floral aroma with notes of cherries, spices, and chocolate. Its bright acidity and light tannins make it a great match for the savory and slightly sweet flavors of the Chicken Marsala.

A light-bodied red wine from the Beaujolais region of France, such as a Gamay, is also a great option. Gamay grapes are known for their bright berry and cherry flavors, which complement the mushroom and Marsala wine flavors in the dish. The wine’s light body and fresh acidity help to balance the richness of the dish.

Medium-Bodied Red Wines

One great choice is Chianti. This is amake of red wine that is produced in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy. It is a dry and medium-bodied wine that is often paired with Italian cuisine, including dishes like Chicken Marsala.

It has bold and robust flavors of black cherry, dried herbs, and tobacco. The wine itself is not overly sweet and has a dry finish that helps to balance the sweetness of the Marsala wine.

Another great choice is Barbera. This red wine has a fruity and earthy taste and a bit of spicy flavor that matches well with the spices in the dish.

Merlot is also a good choice. This medium-bodied wine is known for its soft, smooth tannins and medium body. Merlot grapes are widely grown, and the wine is produced in many different regions around the world, including France, Italy, the United States, and Chile.

The Merlot’s fruit-forward and soft tannins characteristic make it a versatile wine that can pair well with a variety of dishes, including Chicken Marsala. Its fruitiness complements the flavors of the mushrooms and Marsala wine used in the dish, creating a well-balanced meal.

Considerations for Pairing

Chicken Marsala features a rich, savory sauce made with mushrooms and Marsala wine. While you can pair any wine with your chicken marsala meal, some pairings work better than others.

That said, here are some considerations you should make when pairing wine with chicken marsala.

Matching Intensity of Flavors

In order to match the intensity of flavors, you’ll need to choose a wine that has similar taste and characteristics. A lighter-bodied red wine such as a Valpolicella or Pinot Noir is ideal for this dish because it will allow the chicken and mushrooms to shine through without competing with them too much.

If you’re looking for something more robust in its flavor profile, try a Chianti or Rose. These wines are typically made from Sangiovese grapes and have heavier bodies that will stand up to the meaty chicken and earthy mushrooms.

Balancing Acidity and Sweetness

Balancing acid and sweetness is one of the most important things to consider when pairing wine with food. In this example, you’ll want to pay close attention to how sweet or dry your Chicken Marsala tastes in order to select a wine that will complement it best.

If your dish is very sweet, you may want to choose a sweeter white wine. Conversely, if your dish has a little-to-no sweetness at all (it’s savory), then you could pick an off-dry or even semi-dry white wine instead.

If we’re talking about red wines here, though, it’s completely different: dryer dishes can be paired with drier reds, while sweeter dishes can be paired with sweeter reds too.

Enhancing or Contrasting Flavors

When you’re deciding what wine to pair with chicken marsala, it’s important to consider how the flavors will either enhance or contrast each other.

If you’re looking for a wine that will enhance the flavors of your dish, consider something like an earthy pinot noir or a crisp white wine. These types of wines will enhance the delicate flavors of your chicken without overpowering them.

If you’d prefer a more contrasting pairing, try serving something bolder with your meal, such as an oaky chardonnay or a spicy red blend. This will help balance out any sweetness in your dish and add some excitement to your meal.

Factors To Consider When Pairing Wine With Chicken Dishes

  • The type of chicken dish (grilled, fried, roasted, etc.)
  • The flavors and spices used in the dish
  • The sauce or gravy accompanying the dish
  • The type of preparation (light or rich)

Wine Pairing Suggestions for Different Types of Chicken Dishes

  • Grilled chicken: Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir
  • Fried chicken: Chardonnay, Riesling, or a Sparkling wine
  • Roasted chicken: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Rose
  • Chicken with creamy sauces: Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Gris/Grigio
  • Chicken with tomato-based sauces: Chianti, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir
  • Chicken with spicy flavors: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Rosé

EndNote

When pairing wine with Chicken Marsala, it’s important to consider the flavors of the dish, as well as the body, tannins, acidity, and alcohol content of the wine. A traditional Chicken Marsala dish features a rich, savory sauce made with mushrooms and Marsala wine, so a wine with similar flavors, such as nutty, earthy, and sweet notes, is a good choice.

A medium-bodied wine with low tannins, moderate acidity, and alcohol content (around 13-14%) is also a good choice. This will help balance the flavors of the dish and not overpower the delicate flavors of the chicken and mushrooms.

How Climate Change is Impacting the Wine You Love

dry vineyard

We hear a lot about climate change and climate impact, but how will it impact the wine you love?

In the short term, we’re seeing severe weather events and catastrophic disasters like wildfires in wine country, all of which have short-term implications on supply and quality. But many experts predict that we’re in for more of the same—and worse.

Hotter summers, warmer winters, droughts, freak storms, hail, flooding, fire, and invasive insects are keeping farmers on edge, but not all is lost just yet.

As with any crop, conditions need to be just right to ensure optimum ripeness and fruit maturity. This requires constant attention throughout the season, with vineyard workers dropping fruit so the vine can focus its energy on ripening the right number of bunches, stripping leaves to ensure good airflow and sunlight through the canopy, and testing fruit regularly until it’s time to pick.

Here’s how climate change is impacting the wines you love.

 

Wildfires

While wildfires can’t always be attributed to climate change, it certainly doesn’t help when the ambient temperature is over 100˚ F and the winds are whipping it about. And while grapevines don’t burn as easily as other fuel, they are not impervious. Even if the vineyards escape the fire, smoke taint can ruin the vintage. More than just “smoky notes,” think about what it would taste like to drink from an ashtray. Fortunately, the taint only lasts for the vintage. Most vines will recover and return to normal production levels; however, you might find that there is less wine to be had in wildfire years. If this trend continues, we will see prices rise for sure.

 

Drought

Grapevines like to be stressed; that’s common knowledge. But they do require some water and nutrients to survive and will produce less fruit in their absence. Early drought prohibits shoot growth, bud development, and vine capacity. Without enough nutrients to feed the roots, vine size will also be impacted, resulting in less wine.

 

Hotter Summers

Heat drives sugars higher and reduces acids in the fruit, resulting in higher alcohol, less structure, and greater potential for volatility. Higher sugars don’t necessarily mean more flavorful fruit, either. When sugars develop faster than the fruit matures, the berries lack flavor, and the resulting wine is flabby, boozy, and loses varietal character.

To combat the heat, growers are picking earlier, planting at higher altitudes, choosing shadier slopes, and even looking at alternative varieties, like hybrids. For now, we’ll see riper vintages coming out of cooler regions and surprising regions, like Great Britain, stepping onto the world stage as their climate becomes more amenable to quality grape production.

 

Extreme Weather

Massive hail, flooding, and storms in winegrowing regions are forcing growers to take action. For example, in Burgundy and Bordeaux (France), the recent phenomenon of unusually large hailstones prompted a technique of firing silver oxide particles into hail clouds at high velocity to prevent hailstone formation. Without these hail shields, growers stand to lose 90% of their crop if such a storm should hit the vineyard. This is just one example, of course, but it’s innovations like these that will keep the wines we love on our tables for many years to come.

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