With the growing number of wine varietals available today in the wine store, I would like to share some Wine Knowledge Basics. Looking at all those bottles on the shelves and trying to decide without some basic knowledge might be foolish. Price alone isn’t the answer.
The next time you are in the liquor store eyeing the shelves of wine and trying to decide upon the “right” one for that gift for your husband’s boss or for your special dinner party, I hope this page will help you.
I will take them one at a time to try to help you.
Champagne – Basic Wine Knowledge
Let’s start with champagne. First of all, it isn’t real “champagne” unless it is from the Champagne region of France. In the EU it is illegal to label the wine as “champagne” unless it is truly “champagne”. However, sparkling white wine can be labeled as “champagne”, in the United States and other places.
Strict Rules
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes are the only grapes used to make Champagne. And only grapes grown in this region of France are true Champagne. Also, there are strict rules for specific grape-pressing methods and secondary fermentation of the wine in the bottle to cause carbonation.
Types of Champagne
Sweetness
A small amount of cane sugar may be added during fermentation. This is to adjust the levels of acidity in the Champagne when it is bottled for sale. Wines labeled Brut Zero, have no added sugar and will usually be very dry. The following terms are used to describe the sweetness of the bottled wine:
- Extra Brut (less than 6 grams of sugar per litre)
- Brut (less than 12 grams)
- Extra Dry (between 12 and 17 grams)
- Sec (between 17 and 32 grams)
- Demi-sec (between 32 and 50 grams)
- Doux (50 grams)
The most common style today is Brut.
Price
Prices of true Champagne will vary depending upon the year, the size of the harvest and quality of the grapes. If it from the French Champagne region, price shopping at this point is ok.
Flutes
Champagne is served in Champagne flutes. A Champagne flute has a long stem with a tall, narrow bowl. The intended purpose of the shape of the flute is to maximize the visible bubbles.
Pouring and Pairing
You should pour sparkling wine while tilting the glass at an angle and gently sliding in the liquid along the side. This will preserve the most bubbles. Always serve Champagne iced or chilled.
Chicken, seafood, especially oysters, and pasta pair well with Champagne. But it is also the perfect wine to be served with desserts. Hence the tradition of champagne at weddings along with wedding cake. There is also another subtle reason for serving champagne at weddings. The bubbles increase the intoxication of the wine. Hence, less is more.
Spraying Champagne
Champagne has become an integral part of sports celebrations. Why? Moët & Chandon started it by offering their Champagne to the winners of Formula 1 Grand Prix events. At the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans, the winner Dan Gurney started the tradition of drivers spraying the crowd and each other. And so the tradition follows with teams drenching the locker room with Champagne. What a waste of this delicious wine.
Back to the Basics of Wine Knowledge
Before I begin to list and analyze each of the varietals, here are some basics that I’ve learned since being in our Wine of the Month Club from DTC Ambassador. You may find many bottles at varying prices for the same variety, they are not all the same. Much of the wines on the shelves today are what is considered “commercial” wine. Almost to the level of that Boone’s Farm stuff, we drank as teenagers, but not quite. The “commercial” wine, is a wine that is mass-produced for quick sale. What we enjoy here at the Exclusive Wine Club is “the finest wines”. These are wines that have been tenderly produced and properly aged.
Many people do not like red wine because it gives them a headache. For me, it made me flush. Why? Because I was drinking “commercial” red wine that had sulfide added to augment the fermentation, and I’m allergic to the sulfur. I am able to drink the “fine red wines” because there is no sulfide added to it. Fine Wines offer these subtleties as well as a most pleasurable drinking experience. Oh and one other tidbit that I heard, but have not verified, but I heard that some of the “commercial” wines also had arsenic added for sweetness.
Bubbly Sparkling Wine vs Champagne
All sparkling wine is a carbonated wine — a wine that has bubbles. It usually takes on the name associated with the region or country where the wine originated. The other sparkling wines are made from the same basic method, but from grapes from the region, with only slight modifications and are labeled either Cava or Prosecco.
Sparkling wine has four levels of sweetness. The level of sweetness of the wine is printed directly on the bottle. These levels are:
- Extra-Brut
- Brut
- Extra Dry –Prosecco is most often Extra Dry. My most favorite Prosecco is Asti Spumante.
- Demi-sec a sweet sparkling wine.
While it’s the best-known method for making sparkling wine, the Champagne method takes time and can be very expensive, as you have to allow the wine time to ferment in the tank and then again in each individual bottle for a minimum of fifteen months.
When looking for a faster and cheaper way to create quality sparkling wine, Frenchman Eugene Charmat and, separately in Italy, Federico Martinotti discovered what is now known as the Charmat-Martinotti method. In this method, the wine is transferred from its first fermentation vat to a large sealed pressurized tank where it undergoes secondary fermentation to create the carbonation. Then the carbonated wine is bottled and shipped to market. This is how all Italian Prosecco is made.
The real difference between the Charmat-Martinotti method and the Champagne method is the ultimate taste of the wine. Wines in the Charmat-Martinotti method tend to be younger and fruitier, while wines made using the Champagne method are often drier and less fruity.
Wine Knowledge Basics Continued – The Reds
Red wines come in a number of varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel. It can be really tough to talk about wine, because the language around the liquid is full of jargon. With varietals and vineyards and vintages, tannins and terroir, it takes a whole lot of knowledge to sound sophisticated.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The most planted grape in the world is cabernet sauvignon. It is safe to order cabernet sauvignon at just about any meal to please the whole group. While California Cabs can be a bit fruitier, and French Cabs a bit more herbal, a glass is always interesting to drink as you look for notes of cherries and currants, as well as spices.
My favorite “Cab” is The Gloaming. It is bottled exclusively for Morton’s Steak House and tops their wine list. I’m told it is $400/bottle. No, I did not have it at Morton’s. What a surprise!! A bottle of this wonderful fine wine was in our Wine of the Month shipment that we pay only $98/month. And not just one bottle for one month but another bottle the next month. These are the wonderful bonuses of our Wine of the Month Club.
Drink with: just about any meat, especially if it’s fatty. A Cabernet Sauvignon would be delicious with a burger, short rib, or lamb.
Merlot
The second-most planted grape is the Merlot grape. And it is a great entry point for someone trying to get into red wine. The wine is really “easy” to drink, meaning it’s fruity and yummy and won’t make your mouth pucker up with tannins.
Drink with: poultry, like duck or chicken.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is an interesting wine because the taste can really vary based on where it’s grown, though it’s usually nice and juicy and high in alcohol content. Imagine juicy, spicy strawberries that get you smashed.
Drink with: meats like pork ribs, or pizza and pasta dishes.
Syrah/Shiraz
Called Syrah in France and other European countries, and Shiraz in Australia, South America, and elsewhere, this wine is just plain fun to sip on. It can be peppery, spicy, and bold, with the flavor of rich fruits like a blackberry. Break this one out after a long day when you want to sit with a book and a glass of wine and really taste something.
Drink with: a charcuterie plate, because it’ll play off all the salt and spice and subtle flavors in the cheese and meats.
Malbec
Malbec is French in origin, but most of the world’s Malbec is now produced in Argentina. So you may often see that country on its label. It’s another easy-drinking wine, with a deep purple color and plum or cherry flavors, ending in a hint of smoke. It’s another crowd-pleaser.
Drink with: leaner meats like flank steak, or spicier food like Mexican or Indian.
Pinot Noir
Among the lightest and most delicate wines, Pinot Noir won’t punch you in the face as some reds can. It has a “light body” and feels silky to the tongue. You might taste bright berries like raspberry or cranberry.
Drink with: sushi or salmon. Yes, you can drink red wine with fish!
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the biggest red grape in Italy. And it is associated with Tuscany—specifically, Chianti. Here is a wine that will do weird things to your mouth. The acids will make it water and the tannins will stick to the sides. You might also taste tobacco, soil, and pepper. There’s a whole lot going on with this one!
Drink with: pizza and pasta.
Nebbiolo
Another Italian favorite! Nebbiolo has strong tannins and lots of acidity. It’s a tricky wine. The light color belies the insane flavor. It is grown in northern Italy. The flavors of this wine get more interesting and complex as it ages, which is why it’s a great one to splurge on… and then save for a special occasion.
Drink with: game, fatty meats like wild boar, goose, duck, pork shank.
Wine Knowledge Basics Continued – The Whites
Alright now, let’s look at the White Wine varietals.
Every white wine grape variety can have myriad expressions, depending on where it is grown and how the winemaker chooses to style the wine. The same grape can produce both a dry white wine and a sweet white wine, one that is crisp and refreshing or one that is honeyed and mellow.
Most wine drinkers know the popular international varieties, like Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. But there is more to discover. Think of the popularity of white wines like Pinot Grigio or Moscato, which only a few years ago were largely unknown to U.S. consumers. Your knowledge of where they come from and how they are made will only enhance the experience.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the world’s most popular white. It comes in so many awesome flavors. Both climate and winemaking shape the flavors that end up in your glass.
Unoaked Chardonnay
Unoaked tends to be lighter than oaked Chardonnay with a little less alcohol. It is crisp, acidic, and refreshing. If you love a light white wine with floral notes and fruits, then unoaked Chardonnay is perfect for you. This style of wine is fermented in stainless steel instead of oak barrels, and since it doesn’t rely on the oak for taste it has more fresh fruit flavors and less of a toasty vanilla flavor.
Oaked Chardonnay
The Oaked Chardonnay is aged in oak barrels. This kind of Chardonnay is bold and buttery. It is also smoother, softer, and less acidic than an unoaked Chardonnay. The rich flavors of vanilla, cedar, spice, and smoky notes are most commonly found in an oaked Chardonnay.
Cool vs warm climates
When Chardonnay grapes grow in cool climates, the grapes are harvested earlier because of the weather. This brings out the citrusy flavors in the wine. When the Chardonnay grapes grow in a warmer climate, the grape stays on the vine longer allowing the grapes to ripen and produce more sugar. What you get is a mellow, rich, fruit-forward Chardonnay with notes of tropical fruit.
Sauvignon Blanc
This is a crisp, dry white with flavors of peach, guava, and spice that will impress even the most discriminating of Sauvignon Blanc fans. Serve this wine lightly chilled, paired with virtually any food – you will not be disappointed.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a zesty white wine that is as refreshing as a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day. The second most popular white wine in America, Pinot Grigio (aka Pinot Gris) is a dry white wine that has a punchy acidity with flavors of lemons, limes, green apples, and honeysuckle.
At its most basic, Pinot Gris/Grigio is a refreshing white wine that, when served cold, is the perfect respite from a hot summer’s day. So drink up and pay no mind to the haters.
Riesling
High-quality German Riesling, Alsace Riesling, and Riesling wines from select U.S. regions are some of the world’s great wines. Because Riesling is rarely made with oak or blended with other grapes, it showcases the varietal’s pure green apple, citrus and peach flavors with bright and refreshing acidity, And sweeter versions offer unique flavors of tropical fruit, honey, spice, smoke and sometimes even a hint of petrol.
In Germany, where the variety originates, Riesling wine labels indicate five different sweetness categories: Kabinett (dry to off-dry), Spätlese (sweet), Auslese (sweeter), Beerenauslese (very sweet) and Trockenbeerenauslese (super sweet). Winemakers in nearby Alsace, France, are known more for their dry Riesling wines.
Soave
The 2018 Corte Sant’Alda Soave Veneto delivers big time on those two promises. It’s a perfect example of a terroir-driven wine, showing a deep golden core with hints of copper on the rim, with aromas of fresh-cut summer peach, Meyer lemon peel, and chamomile that burst from the glass, accented by an array of yellow and white flowers. It’s rich, crisp, and seductive with an uplifting mineral tone driven by crushed rocks and a mouthwatering citrus layer.
Corte Sant-Alda is located in the heart of the Soave zone, with the jagged Alps in the backdrop. This is where Garganega grapes thrive in the volcanic soils that mark the Soave zone. In the mid-1980’s, Corte Sant-Alda converted to the biodynamic method of farming after a tough harvest. The estate thought that converting would inspire ripe and healthy grapes. And it did. Since then, Corte has become to be one of the most recognized biodynamic producers in Italy.
Sancerre
Pale straw in color. Fresh lemon, lemongrass, hyssop, white flowers, lime, and rocky minerality on the nose. Focused and cut, with a firm spine of acidity, ripe citrus mid-palate, and lingering acidity.
bright citrus flavors, incredibly refreshing minerality, and a verve and freshness that’s impossible to replicate. A crisp, delicious white, this Sancerre can find a place at the table beyond the classic local goat cheese; it will stand up to mussels in white wine, roasted corn, or seared langoustines with fresh herbs and olive oil.
Pouilly-Fuissé
Pouilly-Fuissé (French pronunciation: [pu.ji fɥi.se]) is a name for a white wine from the Mâconnais subregion Burgundy in central France. It is located in the communes of Fuissé, Solutré-Pouilly, Vergisson and Chaintré.France. The wine has delicate floral aromas with hints of hazelnut.
Moscato
Moscato is a white wine that has recently exploded onto the scene. Historically known as a dessert wine, Moscato has a slight fizz and flavors of nectarine, peach, and orange, which is very pleasing to your taste buds. Moscato is made from the Muscat grape, which is a grape that in addition to making Moscato is also eaten regularly as a table grape, and used for making raisins. It’s this sugar that gives Moscato its sweetness and boost in popularity.
Moscato is now the fastest-growing wine on the American market, growing at a rate of 25 percent a year for the last three years. While Moscato is perfect for sipping alone, it also does very well, just like Riesling when it’s paired with spicy food. The sweetness of the wine and the spiciness of a dish go incredibly well together.
Wine Knowledge Basics Continued -The Rose
A rosé is a type of wine that incorporates some of the colors from the grape skins, but not enough to qualify it as a red wine. It may be the oldest known type of wine, as it is the most straightforward to make with the skin contact method. The pink color can range from a pale “onion-skin” orange to a vivid near-purple, depending on the grape varieties used and winemaking techniques. The label of the wine is Rosé in French, Portuguese, and English-speaking countries, Rosado in Spanish …
Rose – SAMUEL ROBERT ROSE WILLAMETTE VINTNER’S RESERVE, 2019
This wine, chosen as the #1 favorite in 2020 is from Oregon and is a peach-colored rosé with a fruity sweetness and flavors of cherry pie, watermelon, strawberry, and herbal tea, with a dry finish. This highly-rated Rose offers flavors of strawberries and red plums with a touch of sweetness.
Oregon Winemakers began experimenting with fine-wine grape varietals just 50 years ago. And today, we recognize Oregon wine for its exceptional quality. The state has become a magnet for small-scale, family-run wineries that focus on quality and sustainability.
White Zinfandel
In 1948, Bob Trinchero, winemaker for the Sutter Home Family Vineyards, had a bit of a mishap with the fermentation of his wine. White Zinfandel was the result. It is an off-dry to sweet, pink-colored white wine. White Zinfandel is from the Zinfandel wine grape, which would otherwise produce a bold and spicy red wine. My favorite!!
And More
There are so many more combinations of wine grapes that result in an almost endless variety of rosé wine.
Wine Knowledge Basics – Why a Wine of the Month Club
As with all wine, it is a matter of your own personal taste. We do not all have to like all the same varietals. So, that is why I am very partial and pleased with my membership in the Wine of the Month Club at DTC Ambassadors. Each month we are treated to four unique bottles of fine wine. And that selection is two reds and two whites unless you chose all reds or all whites. Our wine tasters quarterly visit the Sonoma/Napa valley vineyards and go wine tasting. They bring to us the best selections to sample. When you find one that you especially love, you can order an additional case (delivered to your door) at member discount prices.
If you are new to wine, you owe it to yourself to join us for this unique wine education. Come join us!!
And finally, I would like to cordially invite you to join our virtual Wine and Dine Party any Wednesday evening.
Virtual Wine & Dine Events a fun way to learn the Wine Basics
Visit https://rrr247webinars.com
Every week we bringing you new amazing fine wines from the marvelous Napa Valley paired with a new amazing recipes!!! So come and experience the wine life and see how fun and amazing this life is!!! We will be discussing the wines and actually showing the food and recipes so you can visit our YouTube channel and experience this with us!!!
When you understand more about wine knowledge basics and especially about Fine Wines, you will understand an easy way to enhance your life from today forward. Plus, you will be able to help others around you to benefit from this amazing addition to life’s routines as well. The more education we get on Fine Wines, the better we can use them in our lives. This is something we all deserve. Read About it more by going here.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to our party and to our Exclusive Wine Club. Learn how to do the magnificent wine and food pairings and how to enjoy it all with friends and family.