Wine Information

For the under-informed consumer, the world of wine can be overwhelming.  Here is some knowledge just to get you started.

Wines can be listed in two main categories: reds and whites.  They get their names from the grapes that they come from.  Some familiar red wines are merlot, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and shiraz.  Some whites you may have heard of include chardonnay, riesling, pinot grigio and moscato.  This is just the tip of the iceberg.  There are hundreds of varieties of wines from all over the world.

Champagne is infused with a gas during fermentation which produces bubbles.  Although most people refer to all bubbly wine as champagne, real champagne only comes from France.  It is named after the region the grapes grow in.  All other “champagnes” not from France are referred to as “sparkling white wines.”

The description “dry” has to do with the taste of the wine.  A dry wine is the opposite of a sweet wine.  To make a wine dry, the grapes are picked early on, preventing a lot of sugar from developing within the fruit.

Sweet wines are generally dessert wines.  However, because of their popularity in America, many people serve them with dinner.   The most popular, White Zinfandel, actually comes from the Zinfandel grape (first used to create a dark rose colored wine).  It is ripened on the vine longer to create a sweeter taste and infused with sugars and dyes to create its signature pink rose color.

Most red wines should be served at room temperature.  A good bottle should be opened and allowed to breathe for around 15 minutes.  You can also pour a glass and let a deep red wine breathe longer to get the full effect.  Swirling the wine around the glass also helps the wine breathe by exposing a larger surface area to air.  There are some reds that can be chilled like a lambrusco.  Some are just called chillable red wine.

White wines are generally served chilled.  A bottle should be served between 37 and 42 degrees.  If you’ve just purchased your bottle and want it for dinner, throw it in the freezer for 35-45 minutes.  But, don’t forget about it!  Wine, unlike alcohol, will freeze and possibly blow up if left too long.

When pairing wine with food, start by asking someone who knows.  If you’re cooking seafood, pasta with light sauce or chicken, choose a light white wine or something pink.   If you’re cooking Italian dishes or grilling, red wine is a perfect pairing.  Looking on the internet can also be a good resource for food/wine pairing questions.  The California wine guide gives great information on food pairings and other tidbits about wine:  http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/beginners-wine-guide.html

The staff at Central Spirits is knowledgeable and can help you decide on a bottle you’ll like.  However, the best way to find out what you like is to sample.  Go to a wine tasting where plenty of different kinds of wine are laid out to find your favorite.  Sip and smell to get the full effect of the wine.

Print a copy or our Wine Tasting Scorecard courtesy of Microsoft Templates:

http://www.yourareacode.com/widgets/34271/website_files/files/wine tasting scorecard.pdf