6 minute read
Getting Comfortable with the Basics
By Kimberly Williams
Who wants to learn more about wine? If you’ve been following Triangle Around Town’s digital media, then you probably already have some basic wine knowledge.
My goal is to provide some additional information you may not have thought much about in the past. We will begin with a brief description of a vineyard cycle and go over basic winemaking before we dive deeper into tasting.
We’ll also cover a typical wine journey, a few shopping tips, go-to wine accessories and finish with some fun resources.
The vineyard cycle lasts 140-160 days and begins after winter dormancy. When temperatures reach 50+ degrees, weeping (the flow of sap) is the first event in the vineyard.
This is followed by bud break (tiny buds begin to appear on the branches), flowering (flowers appear along the shoots), fruit set (transition from flower to grape berry), veraison (the process of maturity for the grape berries), and then harvest.
What I find interesting about the cycle, besides the fact that winemakers can literally work two harvests in different hemispheres each year, is bud break and veraison. These two parts of the cycle are the most expressive.
With bud break comes excitement about the next vintage, and during veraison, you can see the ripening process—the color of the grape coming to life—and grape development finishing up—sugar levels, acidity levels and seeds.
This occurs until winemakers make one of the most difficult decisions - when to harvest. Basic winemaking is easier said than done, as my husband can attest to after years of trying to make decent wine at home.
It begins with picking and sorting the grapes, then crushing and pressing (or purchasing grape juice for at home), fermentation, clarification, aging and bottling. The main difference between the process for red and white wines is keeping the skins on until fermentation is complete, as it captures additional flavors and color.
Winemakers will determine how long to age their wines and whether they will use stainless steel tanks or oak barrels. When I was studying for my CSW, I was a little shocked to learn that the main component of wine is (80 percent to 90 percent) water, followed by alcohol, acid, sugar and phenolic compounds. I found it fascinating, so why can’t it count towards our daily water intake?
There are many ways to learn more about wine, including tasting as many wines as possible and taking many notes. With practice, you should have a good idea of your style and preferred tastes. You can then explore other wines and wine regions using that information.
So, on to tasting: you think it would be easy, and it is, but if you’re going to learn, you’ll need to focus on your senses and take some notes. Of course, there are days I don’t take notes, but I wish I did later, especially if I enjoyed the wine.
Here are a few basic notes that are helpful when trying a new wine:
•Write down what you see – color, depth, and legs/tears streaming down the glass;
• Of course, smell – list everything you can smell before you swirl and then swirl and jot down additional aromas –I love smelling wine and swear I could do it all day;
• Now, the fun of tasting. Be sure to write down anything you taste that comes to mind – think of all the fruits, veggies, herbs, spices, flowers, etc. you taste;
• After tasting, think about the sensation – your thoughts on the body/weight of the wine – is it light, smooth, heavy or bitter; and
• Lastly, jot down your overall impression – did you like it; do you think it’s balanced, and would you buy it again?
Most people I talk to tell me they started with sweeter wines—mine was White Zinfandel in the 80s. I know this is aging me, but it’s okay to drink sweeter wines if that’s what you like. Most people who continue with their wine curiosity will develop a love of dry whites, rosé or red wines at some point in their wine journey.
I always like to add a few shopping tips. I love the wine app Vivino, which lets you get quick tasting notes and ratings when buying something new. You can see what others think about the wine, and if you like what they say, it may be worth a try. That’s the key to figuring out your style/preference.
I hope you don’t buy the same wine week after week. We all do this sometimes, but think about going on an adventure – there are plenty of wine regions to check out. Look beyond the pretty labels and visit wine shops where you can talk to someone who knows the wines and can guide you to taste something within your current comfort zone while your wine circle keeps expanding.
There are so many wine accessories on the market today, but my must-haves are a decanter, a personal aerator (both enhance the flavor with air exposure), and a vacuum sealer if/when you need to save some. A wine frig is not a necessity but nice to have. An electric wine opener is also nice and easier to have, but it somehow takes away some of the beauty of opening a bottle. I would suggest some nice glasses, too (even if it’s only two), especially for those special occasions at home: birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, Friday afternoons, holidays, etc.
Last, below are a couple of fun resources:
• Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil (the answers to all your questions).
The joy of wine is tasting all the different characteristics, from lush rosé wines and acidic Chenin Blancs to rich and robust red wines such as a Zinfandel to the mouth-watering bubbles of sparkling wines and French Champagnes—wine is fun to explore.
• Vivino app (helps with research and buying new wines) – sign up at www.vivino.com/app.
• Wine Folly aroma wheel and tasting journal (for easier note-taking) – www.winefolly.com.
• Podcasts: Wine for Normal People (Elizabeth Schneider) and Wine Enthusiast (great anytime you’re craving some interesting wine information).
• Wine education – (recommend) Society of Wine Educators – SWE - (www.societyofwineeducators.org) and Wine and Spirit Education Trust – WSET – (www. wsetglobal.com).
Kimberly Williams, owner of Vintage Hill Wine Events, is a Certified Specialist in Wine and WSET Level 2 Wine Certification. If you are interested in hosting a wine-tasting experience, learning more about North Carolina wine, or visiting North Carolina or Virginia vineyards, Kimberly can personalize an event at your home or create a wine experience weekend.
kimberly@vintagehillwine.com | vintagehillwine.com @vintagehillwine | 919.415.1331
