Some Wine Basics that Everyone Should Know
If you are one of those people who feel socially inadequate because you know nothing about wines, then this article is for you. Read on and learn about the basics of wine knowledge.
What is wine anyway?
It is an alcoholic beverage made of fermented grape juice. Its alcoholic content is usually 14 percent or less. There are two basic types red wine and white wine and under each are several kinds.
The four basic types of red wines:
Cabernet Sauvignon (cah-ber-nay so-ven-yon). The grape that is made to produce this wine comes from the Bordeaux Region of France. This fragrant wine contains different flavours such as raspberry, black cherry, tobacco, cedar, and dried herbs. It is a strong wine that is recommended for beginners and the faint of heart. Cabernets can be both drunk immediately or stored to mature.
Pinot Noir (pee-noh nwahr). This is a delicate and light-bodied wine that is recommended for beginners. The flavour tastes of plum and strawberry.
Zinfandel (zin-fun-dell). This wine is squeezed from a big grape in California. It has a rich purple-red color with strong spicy berry flavours. There is also a white version which is quite popular. It is made by winecrafters who take out the grape skins after the fruits are smashed.
Merlot (mer-loh). This is a fruity wine that is well-known in the U.S. It is made from red grape which is known for its use in the Bordeaux area just like the Cab. However, they have less tannin and are thus a bit sweeter and smoother. Dark red in color, Merlots has the predominant flavours of cherry and black currant.
“Red wine headache” is believed to be due to tannins which contain sulfites. However, there are many sweet white wines and foods such as deli meat that contain higher amounts of sulfites than red wine.
Many have heard about how good wine is for the heart. According to studies, wines which have a high tannin content such as the Cabernet and Zinfadel have a beneficial effect on vascular health.
Basic types of white wines:
Chardonnay (shar-duh-nay). This wine is made from the Chardonnay grape which grows almost anywhere. One great thing about this grape is that it takes well to experimentation. There are many different flavours that winemakers have come up with using this grape.
Riesling (rees-ling). This wine is made from a German grape which is popular for its fruity flavour and balance of acids. Affordably priced, many of this wine is produced in California.
Sauvignon Blanc (so-ven-yon blahnk). Dry, light and with a tartness to its taste, this wine tastes of figs and herbs. It is not to be aged but consumed after purchase, just like most wines.
Pairing wine and food
Reds go well with red meat dishes while white wine matches fish, chicken and vegetable entrees. Be careful when selecting reds because if they have not been aged properly, they may be too dry. Merlots are a good choice if you’re a wine beginner as they’re ready for drinking.
If you are serving a white dish but prefer reds to whites, you can serve your food with a lighter red like Pinot Noir. Light reds go well with tuna or salmon which are the meatier fish. In the same way, pork loin would go well with stronger white such as Chardonnay. As for dessert, go for one of the sweet whites like Reisling.
When it comes to wines, the bottom line is knowing what you like and discovering your personal taste comes with experience. If you are trying to lose weight but you love wine, there’s a popular diet called The Mediterranean Diet which incorporates weight loss and wine drinking.
Charles Alonso Volcolatte is a health and weight loss researcher for www.readysetweightloss.com. He writes and researches actively on How To Lose Weight Fast and shares his knowledge at www.skinnyasap.com where he works as a staff writer.
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