"Good wine is a necessity of life for me." -- Thomas Jefferson
Wines are named either with types of grapes (varietals) or after regions in which the grapes grow.
European wines are usually named after the region (Bordeaux, Champagne, etc.), while the wines
in most of the rest of the world are usually labeled with the name of the grape variety
(Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, etc.).
Basic Forms of Wines
Wines can generically be classified into 3 basic forms:
- Red wines
- White wine
- Sparkling wines
Factors Affecting Quality of Wines
The types of grapes used to make a wine are the single most important factor in the taste of the wine.
The flavors of a wine are also affected by how the grapes are handled and fermented, etc.
- Types of Grapes
- The year that it was produced - Good wine generally has the year (variations in temperatures, sunshine and rainfall)
that it was produced on the label.
- The Method Wine was made - The flavors of a wine are affected by how the grapes are handled and fermented,
types of yeast used, whether the wine is aged in wood, etc.
- Aging - Aging can add rich and complex flavors to most red wines, and some varietals are known for improving
for ten years or more in the bottle. Most white wines and sparkling wines generally do not need aging.
Countries that make good wines
- French - The French have been famous for wine making for centuries. Wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne regions
are well-known and widely available.
- United States - US, particularly some counties in Carlifornia (Napa, Somona, Orenge), makes good wines.
- Italy - Italian wines are marvelous. The Chianti region in Tuscany is the best known worldwide.
- Spain - The Spanish make very good sparkling wines, called Cavas.
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