Wine is a broad term that refers to the fermentation of
plant matter for the purpose of producing an alcoholic beverage.
Of
course, most people think of grapes as the basis for wine,
but other sources include rice (sake), various fruits (elderberry,
grapefruit, cherry, etc.), barley, and even honey (mead).
For the purposes of this short explanation, we ll stick with
wines made from grapes.These are categorized several ways,
including by vinification methods, taste, and vintage. Many
casual drinkers pay little attention to the differences in
these categories. After all, for most folks the sole consideration
is good taste. However, for many aficionados wine is serious
business.
The variety, taste, and vintage must all meet high
expectations before serious collectors will consider owning
a bottle. Vinification Vinification simply means the method
by which grape juice is fermented into wine. The practices
followed during fermentation are what determine the type
of wine you end up being able to purchase.
A common misunderstanding
by the average drinker is that grape juice colors vary, which
is what produces red, white, or rose wines. Actually, all
grapes produce clear (or very close to clear) juices. What
creates the color of the wine you buy is whether the grape
skins have been left in contact with the juice during the fermentation
process.
Red wines have been fermented thusly; whites have
not fermented in contact with grape skins; rose is a combination
of the two. Sparkling wines, such as champagne, have bubbly
characteristics that are caused by the addition of carbon
dioxide. This effect is achieved by fermenting the grape juice
two times.
The first time, the juice is fermented in open containers,
which allow the carbon dioxide to escape. During the second
fermentation, the juice is kept in closed containers, trapping
and infusing the gases. Taste Most wines are described as
dry, off-dry, fruity, or sweet. Technically, this refers to
the amount of sugars left over after fermentation is completed.
Dry has a tiny amount of residual sugar content, while sweet
has high sugar content.
Beyond this basic taste classification,
wine-tasting experts have developed a system of classifying
wines by the more in-depth tastes and aromas they exude.
Many outsiders find this a somewhat bewildering system, but
tasting pros consider the ability to discern subtle elements
of a wines taste to be a badge of honor. As one example, Cabernet
Sauvignon is a popular variety that wine tasters claim contains
a combination of black currants, chocolate, mint, and tobacco
flavors.
Vintage Vintage is a straightforward classification.
It refers to the year of the grapes harvest from which a bottle
of wine was made. This is important because many grape growers
have exceptionally good harvests only during certain years.
Also, the best grapes are usually singled out for use in a
producers vintage bottles. You get the highest quality wine
from that year’s
harvest.
About The Author Fred London - Fred, who has an
acute wine palate show you how to keep wine at its best. Learn
more Tips for Wine Storage at: http://www.AboutWineRefrigerators.com.
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