Wine Buyers Guide
There is an age old belief that a glass of wine taken every day is good for your health. But to a true connoisseur, the very prospect of savouring a glass of their favourite wine is something to look forward to at dinner time and on special occasions. There are over a thousand known varieties of grapes, and the variety that is used is often the major factor that determines the flavour of the final product. There is an ideal choice of wine for every occasion.
Types Of Wines
The chief wine categories that are recognised the world over, are Red and White wines, Dessert wines and the Sparkling varieties. You will find that both red and white wines may be either dry or sweet, and this has much to do with the fermentation process when sugar gets converted to alcohol. Typically, red wines are more complex and robust than white wines and have a richness of flavour that some white wines do not. Red wines acquire a full bodied flavour and complexity owing to the tannins released during fermentation.
Well known red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah (Shiraz), and popular white wines include Chablis, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Riesling. Nearly everyone has heard of the dessert wines: Madeira, Port, Sherry, and Vermouth, while Champagne and Rose´ are often the preferred sparkling wines when there's an occasion for celebration.
Choosing the Right Wine
If you haven't been widely exposed to wine buying until now, you can make a start by going on the basis of the price, your taste preference and pairing. When we talk of pairing, it's all about making the right choice of wine to accompany the kind of meal you're going to have.
Although most people tend to go with the accepted combination of a white wine with fish and red wines with beef or lamb, individual preferences may differ. An acidic wine, such as a dry German Riesling, is considered to be a good match with sour, acidic foods. Acidic wines are also considered to make a good match with salty foods. It's interesting to note that the flavour of a sour wine goes to negate the sour taste of the food, and similarly, a sweet wine is preferred as accompaniment with sweet foods, even dessert! If you're planning to enjoy a good dessert with a sweet wine, make sure the wine is just a little sweeter than the dessert, so you can truly appreciate the taste of your wine.
White grape varieties like Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Viognier make a good combination with spicy food, so if you like spicy food; you might give this a try.
Cabernet Sauvignon is best taken with roast or grilled meats and game and makes an unbeatable combination with lamb. This wine also goes especially well with sauced meat dishes such as pies, stews and rich dishes with sauces which include mushrooms.
Merlot has a succulent and fruity nature that makes it a pleasure to drink even without food, but it's a great match with pâté's as well as duck, pheasant, goose and spicy poultry dishes. It has a soft fruitiness about it and can make a fabulous accompaniment to savoury pancakes, hams and gratins, not to speak of Indian spiced curries and tandoori platters.
Some Useful Wine Facts- Champagne is usually made from a blend of red and white grapes, while Rose is made from red grapes through a process in which there is little contact with the skins.
- Krug, Clos du Mesnil 1995 is said to be one of the rarest of champagnes as only 12,624 bottles were ever produced
- The Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes (1787) priced at between £29,000 to £32,000 per bottle is the most expensive commercially available wine. It is a sauterne or golden-coloured table or dessert wine from the Bordeaux region in France
- Interestingly enough, sweet wines from Sauternes are made from a fungus which attacks the grape and causes the sugar to become concentrated
- Cabernet-Sauvignon is a thick skinned grape variety that produces wines high in tannin and induces structure and age-ability. Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with varieties such as Merlot, to add more body to the wine
- Pinot Noir is the classic black wine of Burgundy made from the Vitis Vinifera grape which is very difficult to cultivate. This grape variety lends itself to the creation of high-quality wines that Burgundy is famous for
- The soil of the Clos de Vougeot vineyard of Burgundy is considered to be so highly valued, that workers are asked to scrape it off their shoes before they leave for the day!
Recommended Wines
Some of these wines sold in the UK have received good reviews by wine experts:
Radcliffe's Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc
Rated as an excellent wine; a great price according to some recent reviews. It's a light golden wine with spring green highlights that brings to mind traces of fresh apple flavours with an undercurrent of gooseberry. The wine is not too acidic and not too sweet either, and can be had with fish, seafood and chicken.
Caves St Pierre Côtes du Rhône Preference Blanc 2006 France
It has a fresh rich and fruity flavour reminiscent of melon and the faint scent of herbs. There's a hint of floral fragrance as well, and considered a good buy at the price.
Famatina Valley Pinot Grigio 2006 Argentina
Clear, crisp and fresh, with an acidic touch that keeps the palate really fresh. There's a clear hint of apple and citrus fruit with a lemony feel.
Boschendal Chardonnay 2006 South Africa
It's Chardonnay at its best with traces of toast and vanilla, and some fresh lemony notes that balance the richer, fatter fruit flavours. Broad and satisfying this has nice depth and weight.
Leasingham Magnus Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Clare Valley, Australia
This is a brilliant Aussie red in a full-on style from the Clare Valley. There are lots of fruit and plenty of oak, but the result is balanced and very appealing. The nose shows some typical American oak, with spice, tar and a hint of dill. The palate is dominated by very rich blackcurrant fruit and some spice.
Canale Reserve Merlot 2005 Patagonia, Argentina
This stylish red wine is balanced with fresh fruit flavours, the texture a bit of gravely and mineral laced with notes of vanilla and spice. This Merlot wine goes well with your food, and will age over the medium term.
Conclusion
The range of grape varieties and wines produced from different wine making centres around the world make the choice of wine selection both interesting and challenging. You can make it simple by choosing the flavours you enjoy best with the kind of food you like or invest some time in a wine tasting course. These are wideley available through evening classes, at specialist wine merchants and there are even on-line guides to be becomming a wine connoisseur. These will give you tips on how to fully appreciate wine, together with information on buying and storing it.
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