Introduction to Wine

RED WHITE & PINK

There are two basic types of wine- red and white.

White wines are made from green grapes, red wine from purple grapes. Red wines get their color from the grape skin. The longer the skins are in contact with the wine, the deeper the color of the wine.

Rose wines, sometimes referred to as a Blush, are made from purple grapes. The skins are removed much earlier in the winemaking process resulting in a "blush" of pink color.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

What's a varietal?

A varietal is the word used to describe different types of grapes used to make wine.

Common Red Varietals:
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Pinot Noir
Common White Varietals:
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Sauvignon Blanc

So all wines are named after the variety of grape used to make them? Not exactly. This is customary in the Americas and Australia. In Europe it's all about location.

European wines are named after the region the wine is produced. For example, wines produced in the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions of France are named appropriately after that region- regardless of the varietal.

This is why sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France has the title of Champagne. Any sparkling wine made outside of the region, no matter what the quality, is just referred to as a sparkling wine.

ALL WINES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!

Not all varietals are going to taste the same. There are many elements that affect what the finished wine in the glass will taste like. The geography, climate, when the grapes are picked (depending on the sugar levels which will affect the alcohol level) and the winemaker's personal style of wine making will all dictate the final results of the wine.

For example: Chardonnay grapes grown in cooler climates can taste more of citrus and fruity flavors versus more tropical fruit flavors in warmer regions. If the winemaker decides to age the wine in oak barrels the wine will pick up flavor hints of the wood whereas wine aged in steel barrels will not pick up these subtle flavors of the oak.

Even the region of the oak used in the barrels can affect how the taste. Talk about a balancing act!

NICE BODY!

Body is a term used to describe the weight of the wine in your mouth. Wines range from light-bodied to full- bodied. A good analogy for this is milk. For example skim milk would be light-bodied. As the fat content increases the body increases as well. Whole milk would be full-bodied. (Didn't think you'd be comparing wine to milk, did ya?)

Some red wines ranging from light to full-bodied include:
  • Pinot Noir
  • Grenache
  • Merlot
  • Zinfandel
  • Syrah
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
And some white wines:
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Riesling
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Semillon
  • Gewurtztraminer
  • Chardonnay

LESS TALKIN' MORE TASTING!

Tasting wine is more than just taking a sip and giving a thumbs up or a thumbs down. There is a method to the madness. Here's a crash course on how to taste wine for the next time you're at an important dinner with your boss, trying to impress a date in a restaurant or just showing off your new-found wine knowledge in front of friends.

  1. Make sure the glass is filled a little less than half full. Remember- it's a "taste" of wine- you can always pour more if you like it!
  2. Inspect the color of the wine. Wines should be clear and bright with no cloudiness or debris floating about. A lot can be said about the color of the wine. As wines age the color will change as well. Young red wines can be dark and inky whereas an aged red wine will have faded to a paler brick red color. Some wines like Pinot Noir are going to be paler than darker reds like a Cabernet Sauvignon. You'll have plenty of time to compare colors and age as you taste more wines- let's stick to the basics.
  3. Swirl the wine in the glass. The idea is to increase the wine's surface contact with the air. This releases the aroma of the wine. By releasing the aromas you're going to get a better idea of what the wine will taste like.
  4. Sniff the wine. What are your initial impressions? Is it fruity? Maybe herbal aromas? Could even be a combination. Wine should smell fresh and pleasant- not musty or gag-inducing. As wines get older they actually develop more aromas, appropriately referred to as a wine's bouquet.
  5. Sip! Give it a swish in your mouth. You might be asking yourself, "Ok, now what?" Here's what you're looking for as your swishing wine around in your mouth with a captive audience ready to hang on your every word:

    TEXTURE: What does the wine feel like in your mouth? Is it smooth, rough, velvety? Think in terms of "touch."

    BODY: Is it light or full-bodied? Wines with a lower alcohol content will feel lighter than wines with a higher percentage of alcohol.

    FINISH: What's the aftertaste? Is it pleasant and consistent with the initial impression of the first sip or does it deliver a kick?

    LENGTH: How long does the flavor linger in your mouth? The longer the flavor lingers, the more time you have to enjoy it.

    BALANCE: If all of these elements are equal, without one overpowering the other ring the cattle bell- you've got a winner! A well-balanced wine is a sign of a winemaker that knows his craft!

The toughest decision you have to make next is whether to spit or swallow. If you're going to taste multiple wines, you may consider spitting the wine out or nibbling on a plain cracker or mild cheese to cleanse your palate.

THEY'RE ALL GOING TO LAUGH AT ME!

Remember, everyone's tastes are different. You might smell coffee or earthy smells in your glass of wine whereas the person next to you could pick up something completely different. The same goes for taste. Don't be embarrassed or worried if what you smell or taste is different than the rest of the crowd. This provides a great opportunity for you to try more wines and compare.

You might consider jotting down notes on the wines you like, what you like about them or don't like about them. You can use this as a reference for tasting new wines later on.