Latest news with #grapeharvest
Forbes
a day ago
- General
- Forbes
What's The Difference Between Pinot Noir And Cabernet Sauvignon?
Bunches of various grapes ready to be harvested If you've ever stared blankly at a wine list, wondering whether you're more in a Pinot Noir mood or a Cabernet Sauvignon mood, you're not alone. They're two of the most famous red wines on the planet—but they couldn't be more different once you get to know them. Think of Pinot and Cab like siblings at opposite ends of the family reunion: one's charming and a little high-maintenance, the other's bold and probably playing backyard football. Here's your friendly guide to what really separates these two classic reds—and how to choose the right one for your glass. Someone's hand pouring red wine into a wine glass in a home environment. Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned grape that's famously delicate, which means it needs cooler climates and a lot of love (and luck) to thrive. It's light-bodied, often pale in color, and it tends to highlight fresh, pretty fruit flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, on the other hand, is basically the golden retriever of grapes: strong, adaptable, and happy almost anywhere, especially in warm climates. It's full-bodied, darker in color, and typically comes with a bigger flavor punch. If Pinot Noir is ballet, Cabernet Sauvignon is a heavyweight boxing match—graceful versus powerful, but both seriously impressive. mostly empty wine glass on top of freshly harvested pinot noir grapes in a bin Pinot Noir tends to be lighter and brighter. Expect flavors like: Good Pinot is all about elegance, balance, and subtlety. It's like a conversation at a fancy dinner party—you listen carefully and appreciate the nuance. Cabernet Sauvignon goes bigger. It brings flavors like: Good Cab is bold, structured, and often feels like it's laying out its argument in a booming voice. (And spoiler: it usually wins.) Photo of red wine poured into glasses from bottle on blurred background of a vineyard right before ... More harvest, with hanging branches of grapes. With cork and vintage corkscrew If you want something smooth and easygoing, Pinot's your pal. If you want something with serious structure that you can practically chew on (in a good way), go for Cab. wine pour. Cheese and grapes in the background Pinot Noir shines with lighter foods: roasted chicken, salmon, mushroom risotto, even a good old mushroom pizza. It's incredibly food-friendly because it's not trying to muscle over the meal. Cabernet Sauvignon is built for big flavors: think grilled steak, braised short ribs, rich cheeses, and anything else that could use a strong, tannic hug. One quick test: if the dish is delicate, reach for Pinot. If it's hearty enough to survive a medieval banquet, grab the Cab. Shelves with a variety of quality wines in a store, restaurant or wine shop Pinot Noir can be pricey because it's hard to grow and even harder to get just right. (Thanks, heartbreak grape.) Cabernet Sauvignon tends to offer more reliable options at a range of prices, especially from places like California, Chile, and Australia. That said, there's plenty of affordable Pinot out there—you just might have to hunt a little harder. (And maybe make friends with your local wine shop staff.) Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon may both be red, but they're really two very different drinking experiences. Go for Pinot when you're feeling elegant, a little contemplative, or when dinner is more about subtlety and finesse. Reach for Cab when you want something bold, hearty, and unapologetically full of flavor. Either way, you're winning—because the only real mistake is not having a second glass ready.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Look: First grapes harvested 'above the clouds' in Sharjah under new project
The first grape harvest has been successful at Sharjah's Ghamam project, marking a significant agricultural milestone 850 metres above sea level on Jebel Deem. This represents the fruition of an ambitious mountain agriculture initiative that has transformed rocky terrain into productive farmland while creating one of the UAE's most unique tourism destinations. The harvest, captured by Sharjah News and shared on social media, showcases the success of the agricultural component that forms an integral part of the crescent-shaped 'Above the Clouds' retreat. More than 4,500 trees, including grape vines, olive, apple, and pomegranate trees, were planted to green the rocky mountain as part of the comprehensive development personally overseen by Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. The Ghamam project, whose name translates to 'above the clouds,' has achieved what many considered impossible in the UAE's challenging mountain environment. The successful grape cultivation demonstrates the viability of high-altitude agriculture in the region while creating a unique agri-tourism experience that combines farming with spectacular panoramic views of Kalba's coastline and surrounding mountain valleys. 'Panoramic view' Sheikh Dr Sultan visited the under-construction project on last June, where he observed the comprehensive development that integrates agricultural operations with tourism infrastructure. The crescent-shaped retreat, covering 4,700 square metres, features two floors designed to showcase the agricultural achievements while providing world-class visitor facilities. The first floor houses a restaurant, open café, and reading area where visitors can enjoy fresh produce from the mountain farm, while the ground floor accommodates viewing platforms, a multipurpose hall, prayer room, and children's playgrounds. The design allows guests to experience the agricultural operations firsthand while enjoying the retreat's cultural and recreational offerings. 'Its unique location provides visitors with a panoramic view of the city's coastline and surrounding mountain valleys, offering a captivating experience and holding significant cultural and social importance,' according to official documentation from the Sharjah Ruler's office. Kalba's transformation The agricultural milestone at Ghamam is part of Kalba's broader transformation into a major tourism and development destination. The city has recently witnessed the opening of multiple mega projects, including Hanging Gardens, Al Hefaiyah Lake, and a distinctive clock tower, establishing it as a must-visit location in Sharjah. The success of mountain agriculture at Jebel Deem complements these developments by adding a unique agri-tourism dimension that differentiates Kalba from other destinations. Visitors can now experience the complete journey from mountain farming to table while enjoying some of the region's most spectacular views. The project's integration of agriculture with tourism creates multiple revenue streams that enhance economic viability while providing educational opportunities for visitors to learn about innovative farming techniques and sustainable development practices. Supporting agricultural success The agricultural operations at Jebel Deem are supported by comprehensive infrastructure development that ensures reliable access and operational efficiency. The project includes extensive road networks totalling 10 kilometres and two bridges designed to handle both tourist traffic and agricultural operations. One road connects Wadi Al Helo Tunnel to the new Sharjah-Kalba Road, while another leads directly to the mountain peak and development projects. The roads feature three lanes with high safety standards specifically designed to facilitate bus and heavy vehicle access essential for agricultural operations. This infrastructure investment demonstrates the long-term commitment to the project's success and ensures that agricultural operations can be conducted efficiently while maintaining the high standards expected for a major tourism destination. Expanding vision The success of the Ghamam project's agricultural component is part of a larger vision for mountain development in the region. Plans include an international Fifa-standard stadium on Mount Daym at 650 metres above sea level, which will be 10°C cooler than the city and provide humidity-free conditions for sporting events. A 100-room tourist sports hotel adjacent to the 'Above the Clouds' retreat will provide accommodation for visitors wanting to experience the mountain agriculture operations over extended periods. The hotel will overlook Kalba's coastline and connect to the retreat via a dedicated pedestrian path. These complementary developments create a comprehensive mountain destination that combines agriculture, tourism, sports, and hospitality in an integrated approach to sustainable development. Second in Sharjah The Ghamam project represents the second mountain retreat development in Sharjah, following the successful Al Suhub Rest Area that towers 600 metres over Khor Fakkan, inaugurated by the Sharjah Ruler in 2021. The success of both projects demonstrates Sharjah's leadership in innovative mountain development that combines environmental stewardship with economic opportunity. The project's success also validates the potential for mountain agriculture to contribute to the UAE's food security objectives while creating unique tourism experiences. As the country continues to pursue its National Food Security Strategy 2051, innovative projects like Ghamam provide valuable models for expanding agricultural production into previously unutilised terrain.
