| ext">To the purist, wine is an alcoholic drink made | | | | varieties of grapes. Example of blended wine is |
| from the fermentation of grapes. Grapes have a | | | | Red Bordeaux, known in the UK as |
| property of fermentation without the addition of | | | | Claret’, which is blended from of up to |
| any enzymes, sugars, acids or other elements. | | | | five varieties of grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, |
| Wine is produced after the fermentation of | | | | Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. |
| crushed grapes using different types of yeasts | | | | Blended wines are in no way inferior to varietal |
| that consumes sugar found in grapes and | | | | wines. Some of the world’s most valued |
| converts that sugar into alcohol. Wine can be | | | | and expensive wines, like those of Bordeaux |
| made using almost any fruit and a number of | | | | depend on the blend to ensure their outstanding |
| vegetables too. The resultant wine is usually | | | | qualities. |
| named according to its principle ingredient. | | | | Vintage Wine |
| Types of Wines | | | | Vintage wines are made from grapes grown in a |
| According to number of grapes species used in | | | | single year, which will be specified on the label. The |
| wine making, there are two types of wine: | | | | percentage of grapes used in making vintage wine |
| 1. Varietal Wines — The wine, which is | | | | can vary according to the country of origin. In US, |
| made primarily from fermentation of a single | | | | it’s mandatory for a vintage wine to |
| grape variety, is known as Varietal Wine. You can | | | | contain at least 95% of wine volume from grape |
| identify the type of grapes used in making of a | | | | varieties harvested in that single year, if it's |
| particular varietal wine from printed label. One fine | | | | labelled with country of origin. Whereas if it is not |
| example of a varietal wine is Red Burgundy, | | | | labelled with country of origin then the limit is |
| made after fermentation of the single variety of | | | | reduced to 85% of wine made of grapes grown |
| Pinot Noir’ grapes. | | | | in a single year. These wines are generally bottled |
| 2. Blended Wines — Blended Wines are | | | | in a single batch to maintain similar taste in each |
| made from fermentation of two or more | | | | bottle. |