Wine 101 Everything you need to know

BY NOEL CUNNINGHAM

The holiday season is fast approaching which means it’s time for wine and dine. A lot of people get confused as to which wine to choose because there are so many options. There are over 17 top wine countries in the world such as South Africa, USA and Argentina. The top 3 major wine regions of the world are France, Italy and Spain. They produce almost half of all the wine produced in the world.

Naming of wine

Most wines get their names in one of two different ways: they are either named after their grape variety (the grape that was used to make the wine) or they are named after the region of the world in which the wine was made. In the world of wine, we have the old world and the new world. In the old world, wines are named after their region from which the wine was made. For example, while a wine made in the Bordeaux region of France might contain 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, giving it the name Cabernet Sauvignon in the new world, because the wine was made in the old world it is called Bordeaux.

The reason wineries from the old-world name their wines after regions is because old world winemakers tend to feel that the place where the wine was made has as much to do with how the wine will taste. The most basic difference between old world and new world wines is geographic: “old world” refers to the traditional winegrowing regions of Europe, while “new world” refers to everything else such Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, India, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, United States and Uruguay.

Most wine is made with grapes, but they’re not like the ones you find in the grocery store. Wine grapes are smaller, sweeter, have thick skins, and contain seeds. There are over 1,300 wine grape varieties used in commercial production but only about 100 of these varieties make up 75% of the world’s vineyards.

The 9 styles of wine

• Sparkling wine
• Light-bodied white wine
• Full-bodied white wine
• Aromatic (sweet) white wine
• Rosé wine
• Light-bodied red wine
• Medium-bodied red wine
• Full-bodied red wine
• Dessert wine

Red vs White Wine

Red wine is made from the must (pulp) of red or black grapes and fermentation occurs together with the grape skins, which gives the wine its color. White wine is made by fermenting juice which is made by pressing crushed grapes to extract the juice; the skins are removed and play no further role. Today, the most planted wine grape in the world is Cabernet Sauvignon.

How to choose a good wine?

Choosing a good wine is completely subjective. How each person defines a good wine is unique to them and their taste buds. Buying an expensive wine doesn’t mean it’s good. Whether you prefer delicate, bold, sweet, tart or even spicy flavors, it is possible to find a wine you adore. These essential characteristics that define each variety of wine can be helpful to keep in mind as you navigate picking a bottle.

When pairing wine with food you want to find a wine that complements your carefully crafted dinner, the general rule of thumb is white wines for lighter dishes, like chicken and fish, and red wines for heavier dishes, like beef, lamb and stews.

New to wine?

Just as your food preferences evolve as you mature, the wines you enjoy are also likely to change over time. However, a study found that most people first enjoy a sweet white or rose wine, then later fall in love with dry reds or wines with more distinctive flavors.

Everyone will have different preferences for each of these characteristics of wine, but with the right care, you can find a bottle that fulfills your taste preferences. Next time you go to the liquor store to buy wine, look at the region, grape type, the year and you can also try and identify the style. Cheers!!