wine

intro

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1l_xjou-3E&t=38s
  • https://winefolly.com/wine-basics-beginners-guide/
• most wine is made from wine grapes (smaller, sweeter, thick skin, seeds)
• most planted grape is cabernet sauvignon
• wine production happens once a year - vintage year is the year the grapes were harvested
  • harvest season is aug-sept in northern hemisphere, and feb-apr other way
  • non-vintage wines have a blend of vintages
• single-varietal: made with one type of grape - grape variety will be on the label
• wine blend: made with many grape varieties
  • field blend - grapes blended and fermented together
    • e.g. port wine
• taste aspects
  • acidity
  • sweetness
    • dry = no sweetness
  • alcohol
    • abv ranges 10-15% usually
  • tannin
    • in red wines, contributes to astringency
    • comparison: putting wet black tea bag on tongue
  • aroma compounds
    • wines smell like berries, flowers, etc.
    • aging in oak incorporates oak barrel’s flavors (like vanilla)
    • oxidation and aging produce unique flavors

types of wine

Light-bodied white wine

• ex.
  • sauv. blanc
  • pinot gris
• good to drink w most foods
• recommendation: wine from cool climate region is best for light,zesty flavor

Full-bodied white wine

• rich smooth creamy
• uses oak-aging
• ex.
  • chardonnay (particularly from warmer climate like Cali, Spain, Italy)
  • viognier

Aromatic (sweet) white wine

• aromatic grapes - explosive, perfumed aromas
• ex.
  • moscato d’asti
  • torrontes
  • riesling

Rose

• made by dying a wine briefly with skins of red wine grapes
• can be made from many diff grapes

Light-bodied red wine

• pale in color, light tannin
• ex.
  • pinot noir
    • floral, cherry, cranberry, vegetal
  • gamay noir

Medium-bodied red wine

• “food wine” - flavorful, zesty, matches w many foods
• ex.
  • grenache
  • sangiovese
  • merlot
  • cabernet franc
  • barbera

Full-bodied red wine

• darkest, most tannic, palate-cleansing effect - pairs well with steak
• ex.
  • cabernet sauvignon
    • black cherry, currant, cedar oak
  • Syrah
    • blueberry, plum, tobacco, black pepper

Dessert wine

• bold, flavored
• ex.
  • port
  • sauternais-styled