If you are hesitant about drinking wine because you are a beginner, wine is not difficult or special.
Wine is fun to drink! This time, we will introduce how to enjoy wine for those who are new to wine.
By knowing a little bit about wine, you will be able to enjoy and enjoy drinking it.
Basic knowledge of wine
When drinking wine, whether you're choosing wine haphazardly or drinking without knowing it, you need a little basic knowledge about wine in order to have fun choosing and drinking wine.
What kind of alcoholic beverage is wine?
As you know, wine is an alcoholic beverage made from grapes. It is classified as a ``brewed sake'' in which the raw sugar content is fermented into alcohol by the action of yeast. Beer and sake are also brewed alcoholic beverages. Water is added to beer and sake, but no water is added to wine. That is a major characteristic of wine. In other words, the grape itself is very important, and the taste varies greatly depending on the type of grape and the region where it is grown.
Difference between white wine and red wine
The first basic step is to know the difference between white wine and red wine. White wine and red wine are made from different types of grapes and require different brewing methods.
What is white wine?
White wine is made from white grapes with yellow-green skins. White wine is fermented after removing the grape skins and seeds. White wine has a yellowish color because only the fruit parts of white grapes are used.
Usually when you eat grapes, the skin and seeds are bitter, right? White wine has no astringency because it does not contain skins or seeds. You can feel the sourness and sweetness of the fruit without any bitterness. A dry white wine will give you a sour taste, while a sweet white wine will give you a sweet taste. A sour taste gives a refreshing impression, while a sweet taste gives a mellow impression.
At Wine Nation, you can narrow down your search to "dry" or "sweet" to help you choose your favorite wine type.
Recommended dry white wine
Maison William Febvre/ Chablis [2018 Vintage] 750ml, White
Recommended sweet white wine
J & H Selbach/Peace Porter Michelsberg Spätlese (SC) [2020] 750ml White Wine
What is red wine?
Red wine is made from "black grapes." Although the fruit skin is reddish-purple, it is not called a "red grape." Red wine is made using grape skins and seeds without removing them. The color of red wine comes from the skin. The seeds also produce an astringent taste. Astringency is called tannin, and this is the most important characteristic of red wine.
Red wine can be divided into ``light body,'' ``medium body,'' and ``full body,'' depending on its color and astringency. Wines that are lighter in color and less astringent are "light-bodied" and have a light taste. On the other hand, ``full-bodied'' has a deep color, rich bitterness, and a profound taste. Medium-bodied red wines are between light-bodied and full-bodied.
Wine descriptions online often include the body type, such as ``full-bodied'', which is useful for choosing the wine of your choice. Once you know what you like, drinking wine will become more enjoyable.
Recommended medium-bodied red wine
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mouton Cadet Rouge Classic [2019] 750ml/Red
Recommended full-bodied red wine
Il Borro/ Polissena [2016 Vintage] 750ml/Red Il Borro/ Polissena
What is sparkling wine?
Sparkling wine is a general term for effervescent wine. When most people think of sparkling wine, they probably think of champagne. Champagne is a sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France.
Sparkling wine is often served at parties. What makes you feel gorgeous is the bubbles rising from the glass. Sparkling wine is also called "bubbles".
Recommended champagne
Laurent Perrier/ La Cuvee [NV] 375ml White Foam Sparkling Half Bottle Laurent Perrier/ La Cuvee
Recommended sparkling wine
Popular Wine Roederer Estate/Quartet Anderson Valley Brut [NV] 750ml White Wine Foam Sparkling
Grape varieties you should know first
First, let's learn about two grape varieties, one for white wine and the other for red wine. Wine is made only from grapes, so variety is a very important factor. Having a little knowledge of grape varieties can make wine more familiar and make choosing wine more fun.
white wine grape varieties
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a grape variety that originates from the Burgundy region of France. It is cultivated all over the world because it is highly adaptable to different locations and climates. The grapes themselves have no distinctive characteristics, so the flavors vary depending on the region of origin, climate, and production method.
Generally speaking, wine produced in cold regions such as France has a citrus fruit aroma and a strong sour taste. On the other hand, wine from warmer regions such as California has a mellower flavor with tropical fruit aromas and less acidity.
Recommended Chardonnay wines
Popular Wine Domaine Cordier Père et Fils Mâcon Clos de la Maison [2022] 750ml White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a grape variety that originates from the Bordeaux region of France. It is also widely cultivated around the world. This wine has aromas of citrus fruits and herbs, and is rich in acidity, making it a refreshing wine.
Recommended Sauvignon Blanc wines
Popular Wine Domaine Serge Larue/Sancerre [2020] 750ml White Wine
⇒ See list of Sauvignon Blanc wines
red wine grape varieties
cabernet sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is native to the Bordeaux region of France and is the most produced grape variety in the world. It has a black berry aroma similar to cassis, and a rich and rich taste with tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon recommended wines
Joseph Roche Vin de Pays Doc Cabernet Sauvignon [2022] 750ml/Red
⇒ View the list of Cabernet Sauvignon wines
pinot noir
Native to the Burgundy region of France, this is another grape variety grown around the world. It has a delicate and elegant taste with aromas of red berries such as strawberry and raspberry.
Recommended Pinot Noir wines
Popular Wine Robre Mono/Burgundy Pinot Noir [2020] 750ml Red Wine
⇒See the list of Pinot Noir wines
How to taste wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage that allows you to enjoy its aroma and taste. It may sound difficult, but if you focus a little on wine, you will be able to do it in no time.
feel the scent of wine
Don't drink the wine right away after pouring it into the glass! First, feel the scent. Gently swirling the wine glass allows the wine to be exposed to air, which releases more aromas. Swirling the glass is called swirling, and swirling changes the aroma of the wine. Even though it is a drink made from grapes, there are many aromas other than grapes. And don't you think it's a mysterious drink whose scent changes?
When the aroma of wine changes and becomes more aromatic, it is called "wine opening."
feel the taste of wine
Drink wine slowly, one sip at a time. If you drink it all at once, you won't be able to taste it and it's a waste! Feel the taste of wine when it enters your mouth, how it spreads in your mouth as you drink it, and how it lingers in your mouth after drinking. If it's a white wine, take a moment to think about what kind of impression it gives you, such as whether it has a clean mouthfeel or a mellow taste. If it's a red wine, consider the taste of the wine, whether it's low or rich in tannins, light-bodied or full-bodied. By doing so, you will naturally find out what kind of wine you like. Once you know what you like, you can say that you've already fallen in love with wine.
summary
By knowing a little bit of basic knowledge about wine, the world of wine will open up to you, and just by feeling the aroma and taste of wine, you will gradually start to enjoy wine. And choosing and drinking wine will be a blissful time.
