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ALL ABOUT WINE, REDS AND WHITES Welcome to the Wine Guide, with information all about wine. Galileo said that wine is sunlight, held together by water. Wine is the alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes, enjoyed around the world. Sharing a glass of wine with friends is one of the most satisfying of all drinking rituals. The study of wine and the thoughtful enjoyment of wine is a rewarding hobby. Here is the Wine Guide all about wine, with answers to questions people ask about wine.
A Quick History of Wine
A Wine Expert Is Called an Oenologist
Wine is a historical beverage, well known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Greek god Dionysus and the Roman god Bacchus were the gods of wine. Wine is mentioned in the Bible and is used in religious services by Jewish and many Christian religions. Did you know that the use of wine is forbidden by Islam? Wine was probably discovered by accident when grapes fermented naturally on the vine or in storage.
Oenology is the science of wine making. An expert in the area of wine making and oenology is called an oenologist, someone who is passionate about wine as a hobby or a career. Their passion for wine goes beyond that of a typical wine enthusiast.
Wine Can Be Made From Many Crops The overwhelming preference throughout history and around the world is for grape wine. But wine can also be made from other vegetables and fruit, like Aunt Milly's elderberry wine, or Grandma's dandelion wine. Although other fruits such as apples and berries can also be fermented, their wine is known as fruit wine or country wine. Barley wine and rice wine, also called sake, are more like beer than wine because of the starches in barley and rice. In many countries and many languages, the word "wine" refers by law to the wine of the grape.
"During one of my treks through Afghanistan, we lost our corkscrew. We were compelled to live on food and water for several days." - Cuthbert J. Twillie (W.C. Fields) in My Little Chickadee, 1940
How Much Does Wine Cost? Like many things, the price of a wine is indicative of its quality and scarcity. Moderately priced wines are available that most people will enjoy. If you are a connoisseur of fine wines, you will appreciate the subtle flavor distinctions of highend wines. A good wine shop can recommend wines for your taste and budget.
How to Describe a Wine We use these five basic characteristics to describe a wine: Where were the grapes grown? What variety of grape was used? What is its vintage, that is, the year of the harvest? Is the wine a varietal or a blend? A varietal wine is made almost entirely from one variety of grape, rather than blended from several grapes. Next we ask: Is it a red wine or a white wine? The color of the wine does not come from the color of the grapes. Red wine gets its red color because red grape skins are mixed with the juice during fermentation. No grape skins are added to white wine. Now with these properties, you know how to describe a wine.
What Kinds of Grapes are Used for Wine You won't find wine grapes sold in the supermarket. The grapes that make the best wine taste tart and bitter on the vine. The most popular varieties of wine grapes give their name to the famous wines people enjoy. Famous red wine grapes are the varieties of grapes called Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah (also known as Shiraz), Zinfandel and Gamay.
