Latin passion

MOST people would agree that the most important factor in quality wine production is the choice of grape variety. Clearly, where that variety is planted, how it is grown and by whom, along with winemaking practices used will all impact on the final quality. Nonetheless, selection of one variety over another, or more precisely one clone over another, is one of the most important decisions a producer can make. In

the fourth article featuring wines that have been shortlisted in The Business Times Wine Challenge 2014, just two grape varieties (Spain's Tempranillo and Italy's Sangiovese) dominate four of the wines while the fifth wine is a classic French Bordeaux blend that ignited passion and controversy when it was first produced in Italy.

Spain and Italy provide interesting comparisons as far as grape varieties are concerned. Italy has a proliferation of red grapes while Spain has largely relied on three main varieties - Garnacha (Grenache), Tempranillo and Monastrell (Mourvedre). Both countries have used the mainstream international varieties with varying success while Spain, in particular, has renewed its focus on the revival of ancient local varieties, such as Mencia, in previously neglected regions.