| Wine is a broad term that refers to the | | | | combination of the two.Sparkling wines, such |
| fermentation of plant matter for the purpose | | | | as champagne, have bubbly characteristics |
| of producing an alcoholic beverage. Of | | | | that are caused by the addition of carbon |
| course, most people think of grapes as the | | | | dioxide. This effect is achieved by |
| basis for wine, but other sources include | | | | fermenting the grape juice two times. The |
| rice (sake), various fruits (elderberry, | | | | first time, the juice is fermented in open |
| grapefruit, cherry, etc.), barley, and even | | | | containers, which allow the carbon dioxide to |
| honey (mead).For the purposes of this short | | | | escape. During the second fermentation, the |
| explanation, we ll stick with wines made from | | | | juice is kept in closed containers, trapping |
| grapes. These are categorized several ways, | | | | and infusing the gases.TasteMost wines are |
| including by vinification methods, taste, and | | | | described as dry, off-dry, fruity, or sweet. |
| vintage. Many casual drinkers pay little | | | | Technically, this refers to the amount of |
| attention to the differences in these | | | | sugars left over after fermentation is |
| categories. After all, for most folks the | | | | completed. Dry has a tiny amount of residual |
| sole consideration is good taste. However, | | | | sugar content, while sweet has high sugar |
| for many aficionados wine is serious | | | | content.Beyond this basic taste |
| business. The variety, taste, and vintage | | | | classification, wine-tasting experts have |
| must all meet high expectations before | | | | developed a system of classifying wines by |
| serious collectors will consider owning a | | | | the more in-depth tastes and aromas they |
| bottle.VinificationVinification simply means | | | | exude. Many outsiders find this a somewhat |
| the method by which grape juice is fermented | | | | bewildering system, but tasting pros consider |
| into wine. The practices followed during | | | | the ability to discern subtle elements of a |
| fermentation are what determine the type of | | | | wines taste to be a badge of honor. As one |
| wine you end up being able to purchase. A | | | | example, Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular |
| common misunderstanding by the average | | | | variety that wine tasters claim contains a |
| drinker is that grape juice colors vary, | | | | combination of black currants, chocolate, |
| which is what produces red, white, or rose | | | | mint, and tobacco flavors.VintageVintage is a |
| wines. Actually, all grapes produce clear | | | | straightforward classification. It refers to |
| (or very close to clear) juices. What | | | | the year of the grapes harvest from which a |
| creates the color of the wine you buy is | | | | bottle of wine was made. This is important |
| whether the grape skins have been left in | | | | because many grape growers have exceptionally |
| contact with the juice during the | | | | good harvests only during certain years. |
| fermentation process. Red wines have been | | | | Also, the best grapes are usually singled out |
| fermented thusly; whites have not fermented | | | | for use in a producers vintage bottles. |
| in contact with grape skins; rose is a | | | | |