Wine is bottled poetry
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
Wine has been made for centuries from just two simple ingredients—yeast and grape juice— but many factors influence the quality and character of a wine such as soil, type of grape, climate, harvesting techniques, aging process and cellaring. The grape varietal is probably the single factor that has the biggest influence on personal preference in the USA.
White varietal wines range widely in style, from bone dry to sweet. While some are aged in oak barrels for depth and complexity, most are not, as oak character may overwhelm many white wines’ freshness and bright varietal personality. White wines usually taste best chilled, and they pair beautifully with a wide variety of cuisines. Light white wines make delicious aperitifs, or appetizer wines.
Many white varietal wines thrive in California, but three have made huge names for themselves: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris.
Red varietal wines have lovely deep color that ranges from rich garnet to shades of purple. They’re usually dry, with intense fruit character balanced by tannic astringency. They may be aged in wood for depth and complexity, or produced in light, fruity styles. The red color comes from the extraction of pigments in the grape skins during the winemaking process. The actual juice of the grapes—in both red and white wines—is clear.
Red wine varietals that thrive in California include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel.
What type of wine YOU are more likely to enjoy is a personal preference. We all have different taste buds! Maybe you have an urge for sweet foods and would love the light, White Zinfandel variety, or you are a tea drinker and would enjoy a red with a bit of tannin in it. Maybe you crave rich creamy foods and would love a smooth, buttery Chardonnay.
A good option is to order random wines in restaurants, by the glass. Many restaurants serve wines that appeal to a wide range of palates. Each time you go out, try a different wine and keep a notebook of which you like, which you don’t like and why. There’s no right or wrong here. You are free to love or hate any wine! But soon you’ll see a pattern of what types YOU enjoy. Those are the ones to then try different styles of and learn more about. So choose wines that you like the taste of and fall within your budget range, whatever budget that might be, and give a toast to your health!
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Authors:
Michael & Silvia Eames
Contact Information:
michael@hidalgoimports.com