Wine Basics

The most important thing to remember about wine is that rather you are a beginner or an expert, everyone’s palate is different. Sure, as time goes on and you begin to try different varietals you may begin to realize more complex and/or subtle flavors, but it all comes down to drinking what you enjoy. Personally, I believe that the best way to learn more on the subject is to indulge in different types of wine.

Wine is made from a multitude of different grape varietals that grow in many areas throughout the globe. There are different factors which affect the characteristics of each of these grapes including the soil in which it grows, as well as, the weather in a particular region. Red, white, or even blush wines receive their color during the fermentation process from the skins remaining in contact with the grape’s juice. This contact allows for not only dispersion of color, but also of tannins which basically refer to the dryness or bitterness of a wine.

Chardonnay is the most common white wine varietal, but others include Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, etc. White wines range from sweet to dry and can be anywhere from light-bodied to full-bodied. A good analogy for the “body” of a wine refers to that of milk, light would be similar to skim, medium to 2%, and full-bodied to whole milk. Knowing the differences and flavors in a given varietal can really help to pair wine with food.

Cabernet Sauvignon is arguably the most common red wine varietal, other key grapes include Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec, and Sangiovese. These types of wine range from light to dry and also are typically classified on their body. I have found that through my journey I enjoy reds much more often than whites because I feel as though their ability to be paired well with food is greater. With that being said, I don’t discriminate against a good white on a nice warm day.

This post only scratches the surface on the basics, but hopefully it can help educate and make people excited about exploring the endless world of wine.

Where It All Began

“Overwhelming” seems to be the best word to describe the way that most people feel when they are introduced to wine for the first time. This was exactly how I felt when I worked at my first job, an Italian restaurant, and was told that I needed to learn the subject.

To make things harder, I was only 18 when I began what seemed like a treacherous journey to understanding how wine worked. Not being able to taste the wine since I was underage felt like I was fighting an uphill battle. It seemed difficult enough to learn about the different aspects such as regions, varieties, and flavor profiles, but it also forced me to study harder to ensure I would be able to perform my job.

As time went on and knowledge was gained, the day finally arrived that I turned 21 and was able to taste the fantastic concoction made from a vast array of different grapes. All of a sudden it became easier to understand the different terminology and characteristics, such as tobacco or cigar box, that I had always thought wouldn’t exist.

The point that I am getting at with this initial post is that anyone can begin to learn about wine and the more knowledge you gain, the broader the horizons become. Cheers to the beginning of a great journey!

Courtesy of caliterraliving.com