subject: Beginner Guide To Wine [print this page] Just starting to learn about wine? Wine can seem overwhelming when you're just starting out.
There are so many terms, styles, colors, ages - and how the heck do you read the darn labels?
Never fear. While the world of wine is vast, you don't have to know it all. In fact, most people - even 'experts' don't know it all.
This beginners guide will lay down some basics you should know however - so you can lay a foundation and continue learning.
First of all what is it?
Wine is basically an alcoholic drink made from crushed, fermented grapes (there are also wines made from other fruits, but these are more fringe options).
The different styles, tastes and colors of wine comes from factors like the type of grape used, the growing conditions and the fermentation process used.
Types of Wine:
For most people there are 2 types of wine - red and white. However there are many other different ways to differentiate between bottles.
For example one popular way is to define a wine by the grape used - also called the varietal.
Some of the most popular wines are defined by the grapes that make them - for example Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Other wines are defined by the area where they are grown. For example Bordeaux and Champagne.
Some people put wine into 2 classes - Old World and New World wines. Old world wines are grown in Europe - France, Italy and Spain for example.
New world wines are grown anywhere outside of Europe - South American, California and Australia for example.
How Wines are Labelled:
The wine label can be a source of frustration and confusion for many people. It seems like each country has different labelling requirements.
Old world wines tend to name their wines after the place where the wine was grown (Bordeaux for example). Whereas New World wines tend to name their wines based on the grape (for example a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon).
Most labels these days will tell you what you need to know - you just have to be patient. They will usually tell you the style, the winery name, the alcohol content and even the taste and aromas you can expect.
Wine-Food Pairing
You may have wondered why this gets as much attention as it does. But it actually can be a big deal - as the wrong wine paired with a meal can take away from the meal (or even negatively affect the taste).
While this isn't a hard and fast rule, if you're just starting out, it's best to stick with the well-known rule: red wine with beef and white wine with fish and chicken.
If you're not sure however, you can always ask the wine server at the restaurant where you're at. And if you're giving a dinner party, you can always go online and look up wine-food pairing tips for whatever you're serving.
Wine Storage
So you've found a great bottle - what now? Well, there are a few things you should know to make sure your wine is stored properly.
White wine is usually served chilled and red should be served at room temperature or slightly higher.
However unless you're serving the wine right away, you should never store it in the fridge for long periods of time. The temperature fluctutations can negatively affect the taste of the wine.
Basically try to store wine on it's side (to keep the cork from drying out, which can let air in and negatively affect the taste) and out of direct sunlight.
If you're planning to age your wine, you may want to invest in a wine cellar.
How To Build Your Wine Palate
Wine may be great to drink - but it does take some time to really learn how to appreciate all of the different tastes and textures.
So the best way to build your palate? Practice of course!
You can practice tasting different styles and bottles on your own. You can also take a wine tour at a local winery.
So that's a brief beginners wine guide to get you started. The world of wine is vast - but it's also one of the most enjoyable subjects to learn about. So have fun and enjoy!
