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The Wine Basics for New Wine Drinkers

May 23, 2014momstownReal LifeNo comments
Have you ever been to a restaurant and looked at the wine list for the prices, while the rest looks like another language? Do you know all about beers around the world, but you can’t tell your pinot noirs from your pinot grigio? Here are the wine basics that everyone should know before they head to a restaurant, host a dinner party or hit the liquor store.

If you know nothing about wine, here's some wiki facts for you about how wine is made. 

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, water, or other nutrients. Yeast consumes the sugars in the grapes and converts them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Different varieties of grapes and strains of yeasts produce different styles of wine. The well-known variations result from the very complex interactions between the biochemical development of the fruit, reactions involved in fermentation, terroir and subsequent appellation, along with human intervention in the overall process.

WINE BASICS

All About Red Wine

Light-bodied Red Wines

Often fruity, these wines are a great choice for wine newbies.  Pairs well with appetizers and finger foods.

Gamay Noir

Beaujolais

Pinot Noir 

 

Medium-bodied Red Wines

Also often fruity, a great choice for a general crowd when you're hosting a party or taking a wine as a hostess gift.  Pairs well with pizza or pasta.

Malbec

Valpolicella

Cabernet Franc

 

Full-bodied Red Wines

These wines can be smooth or firm, spicy or even with a bit of fruit flavours.  Pairs well with steak, red meat, and bbq meals.

Shiraz

Cabernet Sauvignon

Bordeaux

Cabernet-Merlot, Shiraz-Cabernet, and most other blends.

All About White Wine

Light White Wines

Refreshingly light and crisp, sometimes a hint of citrus, these wines pair best with appetizers, finger foods, poultry, fish and light pasta dishes.

Unoaked Chardonnay

Riesling

Pinot Grigio

 

Fruit and Sweet White Wines (off dry)

Lots of fruity flavours to pair with spicy dishes.

Riesling

Gewurtztraminer

Moscato

 

Full Bodied and Flavourful White Wines

A little less fruity and more hints of nuts, spice and even vanilla.  These wines pair best with fish, seafood, and cream sauces.

Oaked Chardonnay

Pinot Gris

Sauvignon Blanc

Remember that wines from different countries will taste slightly different, even if they are the same variety of grapes.  Try a few different ones and attend some tastings to really find your preferences.

Wine Tasting:

Wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. The sweetness of wine is determined by the amount of residual sugar in the wine after fermentation, relative to the acidity present in the wine. Some wine labels suggest opening the bottle and letting the wine "breathe" for a couple of hours before serving, while others recommend drinking it immediately.  Remember that there are specific glasses meant for red and white wine. Your local store will have them clearly labeled!

Tip:  Host a fun wine tasting event of your own by inviting guests to bring their favourite wine from around the world.  Buy tasting glasses and let all the guests rate how they like each one.  Serve with light appetizers and cheese for the best pairing! 

 

Source: LCBO and Wikipedia

Tags: advice, entertaining, hostess gifts, party ideas, tips

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