When it comes to wine, many people think they know enough. After all, isnt that what a glass of vino says when we ask it about itself: Its fermented grape juice? But the truth is there is much more to wine than that. You see, there are a lot of people who are what you might call fake wine experts. These are people who have been to a few vineyards in their life and can tell you exactly how each one smells and tastes. They can even tell you which region the grapes came from and what flavors they expect to taste based on that information. However, those same people could not necessarily go into any random winery and identify the exact grape varieties used in making the wines they sampled there.

 

Know Your Wine Vocab

 

First, you need to know what the basic vocabulary of wine is, including the difference between red and white wine. There are also a few other important wine terms you should keep in mind. 

• Fermentation - This is the process by which alcohol is produced. In the case of wine, it happens when the sugars in grapes are turned into alcohol through a chemical process with the help of yeast. 
• Tannins - This refers to a wine that has more tannins in it. These are chemicals in the skins of grapes that give red wines their color and have a smoky taste. 
• Aromas and Flavors - This is what you smell when you take a whiff of a glass of wine. It is also the taste you get after the wine has been in your mouth for a few seconds. 
• Mouthfeel - This refers to how the wine feels in your mouth. For example, full-bodied wine will feel more substantial. A lighter wine will feel more watery. 
• Intensity - This refers to how strong a certain aroma or flavor is. So, for example, if you are tasting a very intense blueberry flavor in your wine, it is probably a younger wine with higher sugar content. 
• Oak - This refers to a wine that has been aged in an oak barrel. 
• Sweet - This refers to a wine that is more on the sugary side.

 

A Little Bit of History

 

Wine may be as old as civilization itself since the earliest people cultivated grapes for wine. Although it's unknown exactly where or when wine was first made, there are a few different theories about the history of wine. One theory is that a grapevine species native to Southwest Asia, called Vitis vinifera, was the first grape species used to make wine. People in Southwest Asia cultivated the V. vinifera grapevine about 7,000 years ago. Another theory is that people in what is now Iran started cultivating grapes about 6,000 years ago. However, grape seeds and vines discovered in the Middle East and vine cuttings in Israel date back to 7,000 years ago, so people may have been making wine in more than one place at that time.

 

The Different Tastes and Smells of Wine

 

Youll want to know the different tastes and smells youll find in different wines. There are hundreds of types of wine out there, and each one will have its mix of tastes and smells. For example, wine grapes can range from being extremely sweet to having almost no sweetness at all. A sweet wine will have more of a honey or fruit flavor to it. A dry wine will have more of a mineral or tannin flavor. Wine grapes can also vary in their levels of acidity. The more acidic wine is, the harsher it will taste. There are also different types of wine based on what kind of grapes were used to make them, including red wine and white wine. While red wine is more acidic than white wine, white wine is also generally sweeter.

 

Where to Start When Choosing a Bottle of Wine

 

Knowing the different types of wine will help you start to understand what to look for when choosing a bottle of wine. There are a few different things to consider when choosing a bottle. The first is the sweetness level. If you are going to have a meal with your wine, its a good idea to choose a wine with a lower sweetness level. Higher sweetness levels are great for desserts and after-meal drinks. The next thing to consider is acidity. Wines with higher acidity levels will be much crisper, while wines with lower acidity levels are generally softer. Finally, youll want to think about tannin levels. Tannin is what makes red wines more bitter. Wines with a lower tannin level are going to be more full-bodied and softer.

 

Red Wines

 

Youll often hear people talk about how red wine is good for your health. It turns out that red wine actually may have more health benefits than what youve heard. Lets take a look at some of the most common benefits of red wine. One of the most common benefits of red wine is how it can potentially lower your risk of heart disease. Red wine contains antioxidants, which can help your body fight off bad cholesterol and prevent plaque from building up in your arteries. Red wine is also good for your brain. It has been shown to improve cognitive function, including your ability to focus and retain information. It is believed that this ability is thanks to the antioxidants found in red wine.

 

White Wines

 

White wine also has its own set of benefits. White wine is often thought of as being less healthy than red wine. However, studies have shown that a glass of white wine has more health benefits than a glass of red wine. There are a few different benefits of white wine. One of the most common is that it can help prevent certain types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer. Another very common benefit of white wine is that it can help prevent blood clots and lower your risk of heart disease.

 

Rose Wines

 

Rose wines are a blend of red and white wines, making them a great option for those trying to make up their minds between the two. Ros wines are fruity and sweet, and they pair well with foods like salmon or steak. A lot of people assume that ros wines are sweet (since they are often compared to pink grapefruit juice). However, they vary between dry and semi-sweet. Ros wines are also great for people who are sensitive to the tannins found in red wines.

 

Sparkling Wines

 

If you like a little bit of fizz in your glass, youll want to learn more about sparkling wines. Sparkling wines are made by adding carbon dioxide (CO2) to the wine while it is still fermenting. This produces the carbonation that causes sparkling wine to fizz. Sparkling wines are often made in the same way as white wines, so they are not a type of wine on their own. There are a few different sparkling wine types that you should know about, including Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava. Champagne is made in France, while Prosecco and Cava are both made in Italy.

 

Conclusion

 

There is much more to wine than meets the eye. If you are interested in becoming a wine expert or just want to enjoy your glass of wine a little bit more, it is important to understand the basics of what makes up a good glass of wine. Now that youre familiar with the different types of wine, the tastes and smells associated with each type, and what to look for when choosing a bottle, you should be well on your way to becoming a wine expert.

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