By Cultura Colectiva
You’ve probably seen many movies and TV series where one of the characters expertly tastes a cup of wine at a restaurant to see if it’s good. The truth is, you don’t have to be an expert or a sommelier to enjoy this gift of nature—you only need to know the basics and, most importantly, learn how to enjoy the pleasures of life. If you want to know a bit more about wines to become a connoisseur, here’s a basic guide with five facts that will take your wine experience to the next level.
1. Basics
First of all, we have to take into account that the characteristics of each particular wine are related to the type of grape they’re created from. So, let’s start with the basics: the juice extracted directly from the grapes is called grape must. The wine's taste, aroma, and even consistency will be determined by the kind of grape and the must it creates. Now, there’s so many variety of grapes that it would take us forever to list and explain them all in a single article, but we can at least give you an idea about the most common of them.
Cabernet Sauvignon:
This is the most used type of grape in the wine industry, mainly due to how easy it is to cultivate in basically all wine regions of the world (from Canada to France, Chile, and New Zealand). The acidity of this grape, which was originated from the crossbreeding of the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, is noticeable for its high tannins.
Merlot:
This is the second most harvested wine in the world after Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s mainly produced in the Bordeaux region in France, where it’s originated from—though it’s also highly cultivated in Spain. It’s characterized by its soft flavor and intense color and for featuring hints of wild fruits and tobacco.
Sauvignon Blanc:
This grape is popular in many spots around the world mainly for its sweet taste. Fun fact: its sweetness is the consequence of a grape mold called Botrytis cinerea (also known as Botrytis bunch rot). This makes the grapes turn into raisins, concentrating its sugar and aroma even more.
Pinot Grigio:
A white wine. Its high levels of sugar, when it’s not over-fermented, create a sweet and soft taste for those who don’t like intense flavors.
Chardonnay:
This grape produces another kind of white wine. Just as the Pinot grapes, the Chardonnay is from Burgundy, France, though it’s also produced in other wine regions throughout the world. This grape has tastes mostly neutral, though its flavor can have some fruity, wooden, and earthy features.
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2. Color matters
It’s important to know that color is actually quite important when evaluating wines, mainly because it helps you appreciate the drink's clarity and density. It might take a while to differentiate between the different colors and what hue makes a good wine, but with practice, you’ll be able to associate it with taste and quality.
The wine's clarity is also a reflection of the process and quality, while the intensity will show its ability to age. The density (which you can appreciate in how each drop is formed) shows the alcohol level. You’ll just have to wag the glass slowly and pay attention to how much it takes for the layer of wine adhered to the glass to fall completely. The longer it takes, the more alcohol it contains.
3. Aroma speaks
If you see someone sneaking its nose into the glass of wine to smell, it is not because they’re snobby. It’s just that the aroma can also tell you a lot about the wine's quality. There are three types of aromas you can perceive.
Primary aromas:
They come directly from the surface of the wine and get more intense when it's agitated. These scents are appreciated by the mere fact of smelling, without much effort.
Secondary aromas:
They come when the wine gets in contact with the tongue and its agitated in the mouth. By doing this you increase the wine's temperature, creating a retronasal effect.
Tertiary aromas:
Just like secondary aromas, you can sense them in a retronasal manner, but these ones are created during the maturity and aging of the wine either in the bottle or the casks.
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4. The first sip doesn’t mean anything
If you see someone actually determine the quality of a wine from the first sip, they’re probably just bluffing. As a matter of fact, the first sip can always have a regular or even distasteful flavor. However, that first sip will awaken your taste buds and prepare them for the real tasting, where you’ll be able to fully experience the aromas and flavors.
5. There’s not a specific way to taste wine
Forget about all the rules you’ve heard or seen on television about wine tasting—they’re actually obsolete! A real wine expert will tell you that the best way to taste wine is the one that works best for each individual. Every palate is different and it depends on each one’s taste to find the perfect balance between flavors and aromas. At the end of the day, it's all about enjoying the experience!
Translated by María Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards
