User-friendly wine brands, including a couple of these, represented nine of the ten top-selling new table wines introduced last year, says Information Resources Inc.

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While the port wine industry remains strong, local grapes are now also being used to make fine red and white table wines that are attracting much foreign interest.

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Because of strict rules winemakers in the AOC system don't have the option of making vin de pays or vin de table wines, which are of a simpler style often favored by Americans.

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Although the winery produces fine white Chardonnay table wines, sparkling wine is the specialty here, and during vintage time (February-March) visitors can watch 12 tons of grapes pressed each day in a traditional champagne press.

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To further mix things up, each grouping includes a wide number of wine options, and it is not unusual for the sommelier to offer two different people at the same table having the same dish two different wines.

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Although table grapes are by far the main fruit export, Chile began exporting wines in a significant way in the 1980s and achieving important world market shares in the 1990s.

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But you're now in the mood to hang out and taste wines with your friends, and that's the catalyst to sit at the table and order a bottle from Willamette or Burgundy and have some food that complements the wine.

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