Wine 101 A Beginners Guide

Wine 101 A Beginners Guide

About Fine Wine 

Fine wine is an alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes. These are specialised wine grapes otherwise known as Vitis Vinifera in Latin. There are over 1300 wine grape varieties, yet only 100 represent 75% of vineyards worldwide.

The word “fine” derives from the most renowned winemakers, high-quality grapes and prestigious vineyards. Fine wines are rare and not easy to make, so they tend to taste better than regular wine and they are usually more expensive.

The Different Types Of Wine 

5 primary types of fine wine are sold and consumed. Each differs in its colour and taste.

Red Wine

Some examples of red wine grape varieties include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Red wine is still and made from black grapes. Flavours are light to bold and display a crimson colour.

Wine 101 A Beginners Guide

White Wine

White wine is created from mostly white grapes and sometimes black grapes. Its taste ranges from light to rich, and its colour is green or yellow in appearance. Popular examples of white wine grape varieties are Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.

Rosé Wine

This looks similar to red wine but tends to have a brighter look. The taste can vary between dry and sweet, and there are a couple of different ways to create this beverage. One method is to use black grapes and remove the skin. The other process involves mixing red and white wine.

Sparkling Wine

The sparkling element of this fine wine comes from the secondary fermentation of the grapes. This creates bubbles and gives the drink a fizzy texture. Red, white and rosé wine can all be sparkling, and for some people, this makes it more consumable. The taste ranges from lean and dry to rich and sweet.

Dessert Wine

Producing dessert wine consists of fortifying wine with spirits. A key feature is its additional sweetness compared to other wines. Therefore, it is often served alongside sweet desserts. Colour depends on what kind of wine is used during the vinification process. Red wine will create a crimson colour, whereas white wine will make the liquid more pale-looking. Examples of dessert wine include Sherry, Port and Madeira.

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