What I've Learned About Wine

In my quest to rid myself of ignorance, I have decided to first investigate the alluring topic of fine wines.  On multiple occasions, I have found myself shopping for a bottle of wine to bring to a dinner party and realized that I really don’t know what qualities distinguish one type of wine from another. With that in mind I have compiled a list of the most popular types of white and red wines and described their unique tastes. 

 

White Wine Types

Chardonnay

Taste: citrus, melon, butter, hint of oak

Sauvignon Blanc

Taste: green apples, pears, grass, touch of smoke

Riesling

Taste: sweeter

Suggested Meal: poultry, fish, pork, desert, light cheeses

 

Gewurtztraminer

Taste: sweet, distinctive spicy flavor and aroma

Suggested Meal: spicy foods Indian or Asian dishes

Blended wines

Taste: mingle flavors of different grapes

Suggested Meal: good all around table wine

Fun Fact

This News Years I spent several minutes in a wine and spirits wondering what the difference is between champagne and sparkling wine.  Evidently, Champagne is a term used to describe sparkling white wines that originate from the champagne wine-producing region of France.  Other than their origin, there is no real difference between Champagnes and Sparkling wines.

 

Red Wine Types

Merlot

Taste: smooth soft taste, berries, herbs good introductory red wine

Suggested Meal: meat and fish

Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste: hearty, peppery, oaky and spicy flavor

Suggested Meal: red meat, pasta, lamb

  

 

 

Zinfandel

Taste: complex, hearty, oaky, with berry aftertaste

Suggested Meal: spaghetti, lasagna, and pizza

Pinot Noir

Taste: cherry, plum, tealeaf

Fun fact: The grapes used to produce Pinot Noir are very difficult to grow making it a more valued wine