Your First Bottle of Wine

Brought to you by Wine Folly

Madison Shimkus

Your First

Bottle of Wine A Guide to Discovering the World of Wine

Luna Osaki

“Wine is sunlight, held together by water.“ – Galileo Galilei

At the Shop Basics of Wine

My name is William.

Why, hello there!

Not to worry my friend, I’ll tell you everything you need to know! Shall we begin?

Welcome to my little wine shop! Its a pleasure to meet you. How may I help?

Oh, this is your first time buying wine?

How to Read a Wine Label Let’s start with this handy guide that familiarizes you with all the key aspects of purchasing wine.

PRODUC ER

No idea what tho se words mean? Don’t worry, we’ll get there!

-w

The wine has to have at least one name. It could be the name of the producer or a made-up brand name.

William’s Vineyard

A PPELLAT ION Where the wine was produced.

VOLU M E The amount of wine in the bottle.

V I NTAG E The year in which the grapes were picked. Its important because the climate of the year determines the general quality of wine.

Walla Walla, WA

Graphic, symbol or logo of the wine producer.

VA R I ETA L The type of grapes or blend used to make the wine.

This is where wine starts sounding fancy!

Chardonnay

COAT OF A R M S

A LCOHOL BY VOLU M E The alcoholic strength is compulsory on all labels, and the average alcohol content of a bottle is 11–13%.

Common Wine Types Knowing these types gives you a solid starting point for exploring the wide world of wine!

R ED

W H IT E

RO SÉ

SPA R K LI NG

DESS ERT

Think of red wine as the confident friend who can’t help but steal the spotlight. It’s made from dark grapes and gets its color from the grape skins. Its flavors range from jammy fruits to earthy spices.

Crisp and refreshing, White wine is made from green grapes or skinless red grapes. Its lighter

A red grape wine processed like a white wine. Its a wonderful combination of the richness of red wine with the crispness of white, perfect for summer.

Sparkling wine is like confetti in a glass, Although, careful not to just call everything champagne, though—it only applies to a kind grown exclusively in France!

These wines are rich, indulgent, satisfying and perfect for sipping slowly. They’re produced by concentrating grape sugars through late harvesting.

C H A R DONNAY

SAU V IG NON BLANC

and tropical fruits.

Common Grape Types Those fancy-sounding words you see on the label are mostly kinds of grapes that are used for wine.

Here’s some popular ones you should know.

M ER LOT

A red grape known for its soft tannins and rich plum and cherry flavors.

PINOT NOI R

A delicate red grape producing light-bodied wines with red fruit and earthy notes.

SYR A H

A hardy red grape delivering bold, dark fruit flavors with peppery and smoky characteristics.

2

A versatile white grape capable of producing crisp or rich, buttery wines.

A green-skinned grape known for its vibrant acidity and herbaceous citrus flavors.

“Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.”– Benjamin Franklin

The Top Wines, Ranked The top wines are the ones that just wow you with every sip.

They’re balanced, full of flavor, and have that perfect mix of complexity and smoothness. Whether it’s a rich red or a crisp white, the best wines leave you with a good feeling long after the glass is empty.

Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir

Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Cases Made 561

Cases Made 7,289

$95

100 pts

$170

97 pts

q Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir has earned its reputation as one of the best wines of the year, and it’s easy to see why. This isn’t just any Pinot—it’s a masterpiece that perfectly captures the rugged beauty of the Sonoma Coast. With layers of wild raspberries, black tea, and rose petals, all balanced by earthy undertones and a hint of ocean air, it’s the kind of wine that stays with you. Elegant, expressive, and impeccably crafted, it’s a must-try for anyone serious about great wine this year.

Coming up in second place, BV’s Cabernet Sauvignon is hands-down one of the standout wines of the year. It’s everything a great Cab should be: rich and unforgettable. With deep flavors of dark cherries, and a touch of vanilla, this wine is pure sophistication. It’s a testament to Napa Valley wine-making at its finest. This Cabernet definitely deserves a spot at the table (and in your glass).

SONOM A COUNTY USA

NA PA VA LL EY, USA

Antinori Toscana Tignanello 96 pts

t

q

Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Cases Made 50,000

$180

Cases Made 29,167 Tignanello stands out because it’s balanced and refined. It combines rich fruit flavors like cherries, blackberries, and plums with subtle earthy and mineral notes. It’s a perfect mix of tradition and modern wine-making—great for anyone ready to explore a classic red wine!

TUSCA N Y, I TA LY

t

Stags Leap District Chardonnay 94 pts

Faust Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold, Napa Valley classic with rich layers of blackberry, cassis, and dark chocolate, complemented by hints of vanilla and spice. Luxuriously smooth with a lingering, elegant finish.

$120

Cases Made 13,363 This chardonnay is a radiant showcase of richness and finesse. On the nose, it opens with golden orchard fruits—think crisp apples and ripe pears—accented by hints of honeysuckle, toasted almond, and a whisper of lemon zest.

97 pts

NA PA VA LLEY , USA

3

$80

NA PA VA LLEY , USA

"In victory, you deserve Champagne. In defeat, you need it." – Napoleon Bonaparte

Tasting Bar Food Pairing Guide Please take a seat! Wine makes food so much better if you know the right pairing. Here, I will uncork a couple bottles for you to try.

The best pairing

X Not recommended

A fine choice

W HIT E

ROS É

S PA R K L ING

DE S S E RT

Wines

RED

Food

F UL L B OD IE D

M ED IU M B OD IE D

L IG HT B OD IE D

R IC H

S WE E T

D RY

X

C HE ES E

V EGE TA BLES

X

PASTA

X

X

W H ITE ME AT

R E D ME AT

SE A FO OD

X

X

X

X

FRU IT

SW EE TS

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Want to learn more about the reasons behind these choices? Check our our website at www.winefolly.com!

4

“Every glass of wine is a symphony, its notes waiting to be discovered.“ – Hugh Johnson

William’s Tasting Notes In the world of wine, there are over 100 distinct aromas. These aromas can be broadly categorized into groups such as fruits, plants like flowers and trees, herbs, spices, sweets, animal notes, minerals, and others. Let's explore some examples of how these aromas are described.

Fresh Flowers

Rose, violet, jasmine, acacia, hawthorn, chamomile, & lilac.

Spices and Herbs Rose, violet, jasmine, acacia, hawthorn, chamomile, & lilac.

Fruit

Lemon, orange, grapefruit, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, cassis, dark cherry, fig, mulberry, blueberry, passion fruit, pomegranate, mango, peach, pear, apple, apricot, nectarine, plum

Minerals

Chalk, warm stones, iodine, gunpowder, flint.

Plants

Lemongrass, elderflower, tobacco leaf, fern, mint,

Roasted Aroma caramel, chocolate, smoke, tar, toasted bread, praline, mocha.

Nuts, Candied Fruit caramel, chocolate, smoke, tar, toasted bread, praline, mocha.

Animal

Beeswax, tanned leather, fur, game meat.

5

“Wine is the only artwork you can drink.” – Luis Fernando Olaverri

William's Secret Wine Charts

Here's how you might determine the value of your wine!

ity, Great qual

Exceptional value Finding an exceptional value wine feels like uncovering a hidden treasure. It’s proof that great taste doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. These bottles remind us that wine is about joy and discovery, no matter the cost.

R E D W I NE WH IT E W I NE

Well, experience can be priceless you know...

SCOR E

e! great pric

PR IC E VS . SCOR E

100

2

98

1 1.

96

Exquisite or Excessive?

A fine wine can justify its price with craftsmanship and character, but sometimes the cost feels more about prestige than taste. Is the experience worth it, or are we simply paying for a name?

94 92

90

88

PR IC E (USD)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

260+

The Cost of Disappointment

86

You get what you pay for 84

The quality of wine often reflects the

It’s always disheartening when an expensive bottle doesn’t live up to its promise. You hope for something extraordinary, but sometimes the taste just doesn’t match the price. It’s a gentle reminder that wine, like life, is full of surprises—and sometimes the best moments come from the bottles you least expect.

82

detail and craftsmanship that define higher-end wines. It tends to be a simpler

80 78

that comes from a more careful approach.

3

76

3

........Sucke rs.

74

The Extremes 1

2

3

The best value wine

The most expensive wine

The worst value wine

Vigneto Saetti 2021 Rosso Viola Lambrusco Salamino

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2016

Château Léoville Las Cases 2014

$20

$350

96 pts

This wine proves that delivering exceptional quality at an accessible price is more than possible.

Undoubtedly a luxury bottle, and its price tag reflects its prestige. With its rich history and exceptional craftsmanship, it’s a wine that commands an investment.

CONSUM ER R ATI NG

79 pts

Despite being a Grand Cru from Bordeaux, this vintage received mixed reviews due to its high tannin levels, which some found too harsh and lacking the refinement expected from such a prestigious label.

CONSUM ER R ATI NG

CONSUM ER R ATI NG 5

4

4

4

3

3

3

2

2

2

3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 70 80 90+

88

10 + 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 70 80 90+

88

1 10 + 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 70 80 90+

88

90

90

92

92

90 92

94

94

94

96

96

96

98

98

98

100

100

100

SCOR E

SCOR E

SCOR E

6

PR IC E

10 + 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1

PR IC E

1

V I NTAG E

5

V I NTAG E

5

PR IC E

V I NTAG E

$225

100 pts

"Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used.”– William Shakespeare (Othello)

Believe in what you see, what you smell, and what you taste... There is no wrong answer!

Create Your Own Wine Review

You have come so far in your wine journey, and its almost time for us to part ways. Let’s really let your new knowledge shine and become a wine critic yourself! Wine isn’t about getting everything perfect.

It’s about enjoying the experience and being curious.

You don’t need to know all the terms or have the “right” words to appreciate what’s in your glass.

How to Review Wine A little more knowledge before you go!

Wine tasting involves observing the color, aroma, and flavor of wine to evaluate its characteristics and quality.

1. Appearance

2. Aroma

4. Finish

3. Taste

What Are Wine Legs?

Wine legs, the trails that form and slowly glide down the inside of your glass, often capture attention and curiosity. While they’re sometimes thought to indicate quality, these legs are simply a result of the wine’s alcohol and sugar content. It’s a subtle, graceful moment that invites you to appreciate the wine’s unique composition.

SE E

Wine Review Cheat Sheet 1

Appearance

COLOR

C LAR I TY

V I SCO SI TY

2

SW IR L

Appearance

1

SE E W INE L EGS

SM E LL

TAST E

FE EL

HOW TH E W I NE LO OKS

Indicates the wine's age, grape variety, and potential flavor profile (e.g., fruitiness or earthiness).

“This wine presents a ______ shade with ______ clarity. Its legs are ______

Reflects the wine's filtration level, quality, and potential faults like haze from improper storage.

and ___________, indicating a ___________viscosity. ___________.”

Suggests alcohol content and sweetness; thicker legs often mean higher alcohol or residual sugar.

“This wine presents a brilliant ruby-red color with crystal-clear clarity. Its legs are slow and defined, indicating a medium-to-high viscosity. This must be a young wine.”

Aroma

(COLOR)

(C LAR I TY)

(DEF IN ED /U NDE F IN ED)

2

Aroma

(LOW/ME DIUM /H IGH)

(S LOW/FAST)

(YOUR I NSIG HT)

HOW TH E W I NE SM ELS

PR I M A RY A ROM AS

These aromas come from the grape variety and its characteristics. Other factors that can

“On the nose, vibrant _________, and a hint of __________, complemented

SECONDARY A ROM AS

These aromas develop as wine ages in vats or oak barrels, or in bottles. Examples include

by a subtle layer of _________.”

T E RTI ARY A ROM AS

These aromas come from the winemaking process. Examples include vanilla spice, toasty notes from oak, and bread.

“On the nose, vibrant notes of ripe cherries, blackberries, and a hint of vanilla emerge, complemented by a subtle layer of earthy undertones and a whisper of baking spices.”

3

Taste

TANN I N

BODY

AC I DIT Y

4

(S ECON DARY A ROM A)

(T ERTI ARY AROM A)

3

Taste

HOW TH E W I NE HOLD S F L AVOR S

“The palate opens with __________, followed by _____________. The wine

Provides structure and texture, often described as drying or astringent; influences wine's aging potential.

(ANOT HER F LAVOR)

(F LAVOR)

Wine body is defined by the weight, texture, and richness. A light-bodied wine will have a smooth, feather-light mouth feel, while a full-bodied wine will have a viscous, tenacious mouth feel.

is ___________ bodied with a _____ and _____, ________ mouth-feel.”

Contributes to freshness and balance; higher acidity makes the wine crisp and mouthwatering.

“The palate opens with juicy red fruits, predominantly raspberry and plum, followed by hints of dark chocolate and a touch of oak. The wine is medium-bodied with a balanced acidity and silky tannins.”

Finish

(LIG HT/ME DIU M/F U LL)

4

LONG

A finish that persists on the palate, indicating a complex, high-quality wine.

SHORT

A finish that fades quickly, often suggesting a simpler or less concentrated wine.

L INGE R I NG

Flavors remain subtly present, evolving over time for a more memorable tasting experience.

C LE A N

(PR IM ARY AROM A)

Leaves the palate refreshed, with no heavy or lingering aftertastes.

Finish

(AC IDI TY)

(TAN NI N)

(YOUR I NSIG HT)

IM PR E SS IONS AF TER YOUR SI P

“The finish is _______, leaving _________ impressions of _________, (S HORT/LONG)

(CR IS P/ LING E R ING)

(F LAVOR /AROM A)

with a _______, that ________.”

(AF TERTASTE)

(YOUR I NSIG HT)

“The finish is long and smooth, leaving a lingering impression of dried cranberries and a touch of cinnamon, with a pleasant, slightly tart aftertaste that invites another sip."

7

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