2008 - Wine Stores
Secrets to Becoming a Wine Connoisseur
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.
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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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Thoughts about Wine Stores
Selecting the Right Ingredients for Home-Made Wine
Tips for choosing the best home-made wine ingredients:
Fruits must be ripe, but not over-ripe. A few shriveled grapes or black currants are unlikely ...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Recommended Wine Stores Items
The FTD Love's Abundance Bouquet - Deluxe
The more you love, the more you grow. Reap affection, with a bounty of gloriously pink, yellow, and purple blooms with greenery in a basket. B23-3269D
Price: 69.99 USD
Wine Stores in the news
Grocers begin push for wine sales in TN
Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:38:27 PST
After mostly watching the issue from the sidelines over the years, the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association today launched its own statewide push for legislation allowing wine sales in food stores in the state.
Wine Racks - How best to store your wine
Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:09:43 PDT
Great Squidoo lens with lots of useful wine rack related tips, ideas and products. A great resource for anyone who loves wine!
Grocers might give free beer, wine
Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:43:24 PDT
A handful of grocery stores in Washington state could be allowed to offer customers free samples of beer and wine under a proposed pilot program.
Sample the beer before you buy it
Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:09:25 PDT
Washington state lawmakers have approved a pilot program that will allow beer and wine tasting in 30 grocery stores statewide in an effort to market local products. The measure now heads to the governor, after passing the Senate 29-17 on Monday. It earlier passed the House.
Wine Cellar Storage Tips
Wed, 12 Mar 2008 07:34:51 PDT
Tips for wine storage from The Shelving Store.
Wine tasting in Grocery Stores get the “okay”
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:51:07 PDT
Some Washington grocery stores get the "green light" to sample customers on wine.
The Lil Jon Wine Collection? Stick to the Crunk Juice!
Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:00:25 PDT
Time to put down that Crunk Juice and pick up a bottle of Lil Jon's new wine straight from The Little Jonathan Winery. Lil Jon officially launches his new wine collection with a merlot, chardonnay and cabernet that is already out in select California stores.
Rose Wine
Wine Class | Wine Club
Labels: Wine Importers
