For centuries, wines have long since captured people’s hearts, especially when there’s a call for celebration. These beverages can help to trigger the body into releasing “happy” hormones, naturally making them an integral part of events.
Unfortunately, the world of wine can be intimidating to people who have little knowledge about it. Being aware of the basics of wine can help you to enjoy a wine experience more.
Here we will learn about the basics of wine and what we need to understand to bring our drinking experience to the next level.
What Should We Know About Wine?
Wine is an alcoholic beverage derived from fermented grape juice. Wine grapes are used to make premium wine, though these are not the usual grapes you’d find in a grocery store. These wine grapes (latin name: vitis vinifera) are smaller, have thicker skins, and contain seeds.
The juice is released from the wine grapes through maceration, which exposes the sugars to yeast and triggers fermentation.
As of writing, Cabernet Sauvignon is still the most planted wine grape globally.
What Are the Five Types of Wine?
Wines are categorized into five basic types. Each type includes different varieties, and each has unique food pairings that can enhance the quality of its taste. Let’s take a quick look at each:
Red Wine
Red wines are made of black grapes. They have the boldest taste but are also available with lighter flavors. The important grape varieties in red wine are Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Grenache, Malbec, and Pinot Noir.
These black grape varieties taste best with the perfect pairings of Carne Asada, Smoked Gouda, or Steak Fajitas.
White Wine
White wines range from light-bodied to rich-bodied flavors. They are mostly fermented from white grapes (and occasionally black grapes). The more popular white grape varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling.
These white grape varieties taste best with Salmon, Avocado Salsa, and Gambas.
Rosé Wine
Rosé wines are produced from black grapes that have been removed from their skins before being pressed or macerated. This process results in a lighter color. Other winemakers will combine white and red wine to produce a blended Rosé.
Rich, cheesy dishes bring out the best in Rosé wines.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wines can be white, red, or rosé. What makes these wines unique is its signature bubbles, caused by trapped carbon dioxide during the second fermentation process.
They taste best when paired with light foods such as soft cheeses and salads.
Dessert Wine
Dessert wines aren’t limited to sweet tastes. These can also be fortified wines with the use of spirits. These wines taste best when paired with a 4-month Spanish Manchego.
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Empowering wine newbies can be challenging since wine culture is often seen as intimidating. However, when broken down into short, easily digestible bits of information, your wine experience can easily be enhanced. Finding the right food pairing is one of the first steps into the rich culture of wine.
With your newfound knowledge of wine, try your hand at a delicious wine tasting! Try some of the most luxurious premium wines from different wineries, and pair it with a fun tour from Temecula Cable Car Wine Tours. Hope to see you there!