DRINK AT YOUR RISK!
FUNDEMENTALS
What is Wine?
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes. In fact, wine can be made from any fruits, but everyone uses grapes.
Wine grapes are not the ones that you can find in the supermarket. They are way smaller and contain seeds and are also much sweeter.
The harvest period in the northern hemisphere is August to October, southern hemisphere is February to April.
How Wine is Label?
Name
More often than not, the name is made-up. It is usually found on single varietal wines to differentiate between the wines.
Region
Very common in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal wines. Example of region labelling, France wine will be labeled as “Bordeaux”
Variety
Following the type of grapes. Each country will have a minimum percentage of the variety before it is allowed to be on the label.
75% - USA , Chile , Australia…..
85% - Italy , France…
Wine Character
There are 5 character that determine the profile of the wine:
Sweetness
Sweetness in wine is derived from residual sugar. It is the leftover sweetness when the grape must is not fermented into alcohol. To describe sweetness, you can start from “Bone Dry , Dry , Off Dry , Sweet , Very Sweet”
Acidity
Acid are the primary attribute that contribute to wine’s tart and sour flavour. Most acid in wine come from the grapes. Its pH ranges from 2.5 - 4.5, 7 being neutral. So you can see that it is pretty acidic. To find a bottle of wine that is less acidic you will have to get one that is from a warm climate. As grape ripens, it become less acidic.
Tannin
Tannin is unique to red wine, as white wine is fermented without skins. Tannin comes from grape skins and seeds and wood barrels. To taste tannin in wine, focus on your tongue, it will give you a dry and puckering sensation.
Bottle Size
Usual 750ml bottle can be poured into 5 wine glasses
One Glass
Standard pour in a wine glass is 150ml which contain 150 calories and 0 -2 grams of carbs
Healthy Drinking
Women no more than 1 glass per day. Men no more than 2 glass per day
Alcohol
Alcohol comes from yeast converting grape must into ethanol. Sometimes alcohol may also be added to wine, this process is called fortifying. Alcohol plays an important role in wine aroma giving it body. Sometimes you can sense alcohol at the back of your throat, burning sensation.
Body
Body is not a term, but a categorization of style from lightest to boldest. Lighter wines: More acidic, Lower alcohol, Less Tannin, Less Sweet. And vice versa for Bolder wines. You can use terms like “Light-Bodied” or “Full-Bodied” to describe the style of wine.
