And, of course, the wine, made from grapes growing just outside, is excellent.

Making white wine from red grapes is actually quite common.

But why turn to France for wines made from grapes picked just weeks ago?

I write this not from sour grapes but as someone who works at a, in your terms, 'top 5 university'.

Why do we generally make wine from grapes rather than any other fruit?

It is made from red grapes by letting the juice have only very short skin contact.

This use of yeast from grapes is common in Italy.

Nothing new about this: most Champagnes are made from red grapes.

It's certainly true that you can't make great wine from lousy grapes.

I fear that wine ought to be made from grapes!