The topic of wine is as extensive as it gets, growing with each passing day. This is due to the launch of new and exciting brands and advances in technology which contribute to the wine making process. Different brands are aiming for the stars by introducing new grape varietals and blends to the wine market.
Wine lovers always have something new to look forward to, especially if they are traditional enthusiasts. The urge to learn something new about your favorite wine or any wine, in general, is extremely liberating. It gives you a sense of freedom when it comes selecting your next best wine.
Here are 10 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Wine
1. Red Wine Is Beneficial
Those looking to get into the bumpy, yet exciting, ride of a wine-drinking lifestyle must first understand what they are signing up for. Not all wines exude the same qualities and tastes. On the contrary, each red wine is has individual benefits and features. For instance, red wine has been around for the longest time and has been the subject of scientific studies for a significant period.
One of the findings is that red wine comes bearing many gifts, including health-related ones. Drinking red wine in within the surgeon general’s guidelines helps in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
2. Wine Is Often A Blend Of Different Grapes
Contrary to popular beliefs, wineis often not made from a single varietal of grape. The wine-making process is long and complicated and winemakers pay attention to different flavors of grapes in order to get the desired taste profile. Joining a wine club will help build your knowledge of different grape varietals and know what to expect from different blends. The fermentation process happens separately but is then followed by the blending, which is what will introduce new flavors and aromas to the wine.
3. There Are Over 1300 Different Grape Varieties
To be more precise, a wine can be made from over 1,300 different varieties of grapes. This is what makes wine tasting and drinking anexciting venture. The pleasure of having to distinguish each flavor and type of grapes is a well sought after skill.
Pronunciation of each variety can be tricky, withsome countries having their very own reference or namefor the same grape. A good example of this is Grenache.
4. Fear of Wine Is A ‘Thing’
Believe it or not, there is a fear of wine known as ‘oenophobia.’ This kind of fear is brought about by the sudden thought that the wine may be poisoned or possesses other risks. Oenophobia is a clinical condition that also rears its ugly head, especially during a wine tasting session. It is characterized by anxiety which, when advanced, makes room for nausea and respiratory problems.
5. Red Wine Contains Tannin
You may have noted some underlying bitter tastes and flavors during a red wine tasting session. The reason behind them is the tannin, which comes from various sources such as the grape skin, stem, and seeds when they go through the fermentation and aging process.
Tannin is more abundant in red wines that are younger than their older counterparts. When red wine ages, it adopts a lighter or copper color that enables wine enthusiasts to tell it apart from the others.
6. Smaller Pours Enhances Your Wine Experience
A 125ml pour, or a third of a standard wine glass, is the optimal amount to serve or enjoy wine. It allows the wine to interact with oxygen which will enhance the aromas and flavors. After all, wine is not genuinely enjoyable when the scents and smells of the flavors have not fully developed. In short, don’t pour to the brim of the glass, aim for smaller glasses of wine and it will enhance your overall wine drinking experience.
7. Wine Needs To Be Served At Different Temperatures
Red and white wines should be served at different temperatures. Red wines are served at room temperature, somewhere between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius. White wine should be served chilled between 5 and 12 degrees Celsius.
Anything above or beyond these ranges will only tamper with the original flavors and make your wine drinking experience less enjoyable.
8. Swirling Red Wine In Your Glass Is Important
This is a rule of thumb for everyone who wishes to gain the most from a wine-drinking session. When poured into the wine glass, the first and most crucial step is to swirl the glass gently. Swirling allows more of the wine to come into contact with oxygen faster, which releases an array of aromas and tastes to be released within a shorter period of time. Avoid taking a sip immediately, as this may only make you miss out on the scents that will be released after you swirl the wine.
Instead, hold the glass a safe distance closer to your nose as you gently inhale the array of scents and flavors.
9. Wine Is Best Preserved Away From Direct Sunlight
Wine is delicate and requires specific storage conditions. Temperatures must be adequately and thoroughly checked before storing bottles of wine, especially if you plan to keep them for a long period of time. Direct sunlight only distorts and robs the wine of its freshness.. Vibrations will also disturb the aging process from taking place favorably.
10. There’s a Third Type of Wine: Rose
Aside from the two major types of still wine, white and red, there is a third rarely mentioned; the rose wine. It has a pink hue, which sets it apart from all other wines. The pink color comes about as a result of only leaving the wine in contact with the skins for a shorter period of time, less than 24 hours. The short period of time when the wine is in contact with the skins means less of the skin colour, which is what causes red wine to be red, is imparted into the wine.
Conclusion
Having extensive knowledge of wine is the key that unlocks doors to many hidden treasures. There’s so much to learn and discover that eager wine enthusiast’s can’t keep calm. Joining a wine club is a great way to enhance your wine knowledge and meet other wine lovers from around the world.
Watch this space for updates in the Facts category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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