Everything You Need to Know About ‘’WINE’’

Wine types, glasses, and food pairings…

Wine is just one of those drinks that’s always there when you need it. It’s comforting after a long day working, let’s face it. Also, it lasts for a while, it’s not bad to have some bottles on hand when you’re staying inside. So what do you really know about wines? Let’s take a look together. Get ready to be a little wine-gourmet.

Red Wine

The first characteristic of red wine is the colour. Red wines are made from black-skinned grapes that have colorless juice. When the grapes are pressed at the winery the grape skins mix with the juice (called must) to create a reddish-purple beverage. As red wine ages, its bright, youthful colors turn garnet and even brown.

The second point is that tannin. Tannins are polyphenols that lend texture, structure and ageability to a wine. Tannins give a wine structure or framework like a skeleton.

The third point is that its flavors. Different grape varieties produce aromas of fruits, flowers, herbs, and spices. These flavors and aromas are not added to the wine. They comprise wine’s properties derived from organic compounds found in acids and grape skins.

The fourth characteristic is acid. Acid is an essential component of wine; it serves as a preservative as well as provides freshness and structure. The acidity is perceived as the tart and sour attributes which balance against sweet and bitter or tannins components.

Types of Red Wine Grapes

Cabarnet Franc

Flavors: Violets, blueberry, earth, black olive, coffee

Cabarnet Sauvignon

Flavors: Bell pepper, green olive, herb, cassis, black cherry

Merlot

Flavors: Watermelon, strawberry, cherry, plum

Pinot Noir

Flavors: Tomato leaf, beet root, pale cherry, blackberry, cola, plum

Shiraz

Flavors: Blackberry, boysenberry, plum, pepper, clove

White Wine

White wines tend to be more tart and refreshing than reds, with aromatic notes like flowers, citrus, and orchard fruits. White wines are usually lighter in body and in alcohol. With hundreds of varieties of wine white grapes, there’s as much white wine information to learn about as there are white wine grapes planted in all corners of the globe.

Types of White Wine Grapes

Chardonnay

Flavors: Green apple, citrus, pineapple, papaya

Chenin Blanc

Flavors: Ripe apple, lemon drop, pear, honeydew

Pinot Blanc

Flavors: Green apple, citrus

Sauvignon / Fume Blanc

Flavors: Grass, herb, citrus, pineapple, peach

Semillon

Flavors: Fig, melon, light herb

Riesling

Flavors: Green apple, citrus, apricot, peach, honeysuckle

Rose Wine

Roses are certainly the most neglected wines. The perfect element which connects the two most common style of wines; when a white wine is “not enough” and a red wine is just “too much”, rose wine represents the ideal solution. Many believe that all rose is a blend of white and red wine, but most bottles are the result of skin contact, or as a “saignee.” Blending red wine into white is only common in rose Champagne. Another misconception left over from America’s white Zinfandel days is that rose is off-dry or even sweet. Most quality-driven European roses are dry, as are offerings from an increasing number of New World producers.

Types of Rose Wine Grapes

Grenache/ Garnacha

Flavors: strawberry, spice; powerful, rich and fruity

Pinot noir

Flavors: cherry, strawberry, citrus zest; delicate, elegant, refined

Sangiovese

Flavors: red berry, citrus, spice; pale and interesting

Anatomy of a Wine Glass

A wine glass is composed of four parts: the base, the stem, the bowl, and the rim. The base is what gives the glass its stability. From there, the stem elongates the glass while giving the customer something to hold on to without raising the temperature of the wine within. It also prevents fingerprints from getting on the bowl of the glass.

The bowl sits atop the stem. The bowl is arguably the most important feature of the glass. It should be large enough to comfortably swirl the wine without spilling or splashing it, and it should be tapered to retain and concentrate the aroma of the wine. Full-bodied red wines need room to breathe and to release their aroma. Therefore, a larger bowl is needed when serving these wines. Conversely, white wines are typically served in smaller glasses, ones that are shaped like a “U” and narrower than a red wine glass. This gives the wine enough room for the aromas to be released but also helps in maintaining the cooler temperature of the white wines. Finally, flutes are often used to serve sparkling wines, as they help the bubbles last longer.

The uppermost part of the bowl is where the rim lies. A thinner rim is less distracting to drinkers as they sip their wine, and a smooth rim will not impede the wine as it flows from glass to mouth. Thicker, rounder rims are the sign of a cheaply made glass, and while the glasses serve their purpose, they may be more distracting to the drinker.

Red Wine Glasses

· Large glass with a full, round bowl and large opening

· Opening enables you to dip your nose inside to detect the aroma

· Full bowl provides air contact for the complex aromas and flavors

· Increases the oxidation rate, which smooths out the complex flavors

White Wine Glasses

· Bowl is more u-shaped and upright than a red wine glass

· Slightly smaller bowl than red wine glass

· The shape enhances and preserves aromas while also maintaining the wine’s cool temperature

Sparkling Wine and Champagne Glasses

· Upright, narrow bowl to preserve carbonation and flavor

Rose Wine Glasses

The best rose wine glass depends on whether you are drinking a young or mature rose. Below we go through the characteristics of a flared lip glass or a glass with a slight taper.

Tips for Pairing Wine & Food

1. The wine should be more acidic than the food.
2. The wine should be sweeter than the food.
3. The wine should have the same flavor intensity as the food.
4. Red wines pair best with bold flavored meats (red meat).
5. White wines pair best with light-intensity meats (fish or chicken).
6. Bitter wines (red wines) are best balanced with fat.
7. It is better to match the wine with the sauce than with the meat.
8. More often than not, white, sparkling and rose wines create contrasting pairings.
9. More often than not, red wines will create congruent pairings.

Now you know the basics about wines, as I promised. It’s time to tell everyone what you’ve learned. I have to say my favourite is definitely white ones. Go for a glass of wine or invite your friends for a dinner immediatelllyyy. Let the show begin my Foodies!!!