When You’re Intrigued By A Bottle But Arent Sure If Youll Love It
Think of Vivino’s Match for You like a matchmaker, for wine, as it connects you with new and fresh bottles but only the ones that match your unique tastes. Its a great way to shake things up and experiment, with confidence that youll always get a wine youll enjoy.
All you need to do is review at least five wines using the Vivino app, and the Match for You algorithm will get to work, using that data to determine how likely you are to enjoy any of the 13+ million wines on Vivino today. Every wine page will show your Match For You score, with ratings on a 100-point scale. If you see a rating from 70-100 percent, thats a wine thats sure to please. A 40-70 percent score is an average match, which means its a riskier experiment, but one that may be worth trying. A score below 40 percent indicates that based on the data from your ratings, its unlikely that youll enjoy that wine, so you should skip that one unless youre really feeling like living on the edge. The more wines you rate, the more accurate your Match for You rating will become. Learn more about Vivinos Match For You feature here.
Things To Look Out For While Tasting Wine
Despite the flavoring ingredients comprising only 2% of the white and red wine, this seemingly small quantity can contain a wide variety of notes and elements. Good wine is usually one that has a good balance of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter elements. Tannin, as mentioned, is usually the source of bitterness in the wine. Saltiness is rare, although spicy is a common adjective for wine, believe it or not.
The sweetness and the acidity of the wine are its key components. A good way to tell how acidic a wine is to observe whether it generates saliva. If it does, it is acidic.
Another characteristic of good wine is that its various notes arent distinct, but rather blended in some proportion. Young wines typically struggle with this quality, but a good winemaker will be able to induce subtlety upon some of the flavors of his wine.
Lastly, a sure-fire way of telling if a wine hasnt been made well is to note whether it tastes of vegetables. The taste of some, like mushroom and celery, are common, but anything else is usually indicative of some mistake.
Wine For The Confused
The idea for this post actually came from a wonderful documentary by John Cleese called Wine for the Confused.
Wine for the Confused is a refreshingly light-hearted, 45-minute documentary for people who like wine but arewellconfused by most of it. Cleese takes you through some of the top red and white varietals and what sets them apart.
Think of it as super basic Wine for Pre-Schoolers. The perfect way to just dip your toe into the world of wine.
The whole thing is a blast to watch. As much for the helpful information as for the fun of watching Cleese traipse around a vineyard with wine glasses and amusing anecdotes. I cannot recommend it enough for anyone who wants a wine-themed diversion. And especially for people who are genuinely curious about wine.
I wont spoil it all for you, but in one moment, Cleese suggests that you collect certain descriptive words that will help you when it comes to identifying flavors in wine. Words like: chewy, spicy, fruity, creamy all indicate some property in the glass youre drinking. If you mark down the ones you like, and the ones you dont, youre a step closer to identifying your own wine personal palate!
*Disclaimer: This is even simpler than Wine 101. And, he only covers wines in California. If youre looking for in-depth expertise, this documentary isnt for you. And neither is this article.*
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Popular Types Of Red Wine
Most red wines tend to be dry.
Why?
Red grape varieties are naturally high in tannins and, as you learned above, tannins are bitter and astringent. This bitterness makes red wine dry, not sweet.
While the five most popular types of red wine are dry, sweet red wines do exist.
Here are the 5 different types of red wine:
About Sangiovese
Literally translated from Italian, Sangiovese means “Blood of Jove”.
Sangiovese are the primary grape used to make two of Italy’s most popular types of wine: Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.
Sangiovese isn’t heavily planted outside of Italy, but can be found in both Washington and California.
Common Sangiovese Flavor Profile
Sangiovese is a medium bodied wine with substantial tannins and high acidity.
The heavy tannin structure allows acidfor deep red fruit flavors, like red cherry and strawberry.
Sangiovese Food Pairings
Sangiovese’s fruit forward flavor and high acidity lead it to pair particularly well with tomato based dishes of Italian origin, such as pasta and pizza.
Outside of Italian food, it goes well with rich, roasted meats and hard, aged cheeses.
Popular Bottles of Sangiovese
Pinot Noir Variety Market Share:1.88%
About Pinot Noir
Nicknamed “Red Burgundy” after its region of origin, Pinot Noir is one of the most sought after wines in the world.
Stringent growing requirements aside, Pinot Noir is grown in the majority of the world’s wine producing countries.
Common Pinot Noir Flavor Profile
Pinot Noir Food Pairings
High-End
5.81%
How To Pair Wine With Food
When pairing wine with food, Michalskis advice to keep in mind is that lighter, crispier foods pair well with lighter, crispier white wines and heavier food pairs well with red wines.
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Red wine pairs well with steaks and meats. Light wines pair well with lighter foods like something fried. Dry white wines go really well with oysters and seafood and chicken, Michalski said.
With foods from different countries like Italian food, its best to pair it with Italian wine. Michalski said, Things that grow together, go together.
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Looking For A Bargain
We arent saying you should always buy the most expensive bottle of wine, but nor should you buy the cheapest bottle you find. We all love a good bargain, but sometimes its too good to be true. That 100 750ml bottle of wine? Lets just say you shouldnt be expecting anything multi-layered or interesting when sipping on this. Instead, look to the mid-range. Anything in the 500-1,500 range will usually serve you well and sometimes may even surprise you on the quality in comparison to the price.
Whether You’re In The Mood For Something New Or Looking To Revisit An Old Favorite These Are The Types Of Wine That Need To Be On Your Radar
It doesnt matter if youre hosting a dinner party or simply relish a glass with dinnersometimes the occasion calls for wine. Weve rounded up a list of the types of wine that need to be on your radar. With a combination of familiar favorites to a few varieties that are off the beaten path, theres a little something for everyone here! Up next: Dont miss these simple tips everyone should know before a wine tasting.
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What Are The Four Key Wine Descriptors
Sweetness. Needs no explanation. The opposite of sweet is dry. A wine can also be medium-dry or off-dry .
Acidity. We already talked about this. Acidity is a big deal for white wines, and it makes them refreshing and crisp . Lower acidity makes a wine taste fat.
Tannin. Another one weve already covered. Its all about the tannins for red wine. High tannin wines are astringent, maybe even bitter and inky. Lower tannin wines are smooth and soft, and depending on your tastes, more drinkable.
Body. This refers to the perceived weight and viscosity of the wine. A full-bodied wine feels thick, coating the sides of the glass as you swirl. A light-bodied wine is almost like water. A medium-bodied wine is in-between.
The best way to wrap your taste buds around the four primary wine descriptors is to make yourself a strong cup of tea. Sip it black, without anything added. Thats what something very tannic will taste like . Now, add a squeeze of lemon juice and taste it. Thats acidity joining the party. Combined with the tannic taste, it should taste astringent. Now, stir in some sugar for some sweetness. This mellows everything out to make it taste soft.
There’s a fifth thing to be aware of when describing wineflavor. Unlike the four key descriptors, flavor encompasses every descriptor under the sun and is far more subjective.
Hot tip: Pair oaky wines with salty food. Salt cuts the bitterness of oak in much the same way that salt makes shots of tequila go down smoother.
Wine + Life: How To Find A Wine You Like
Find the glue that works for you.
In my experience, thats the most effective way to find a wine you like. By glue, I mean the thing that grabs your interest. If it grabs your interest, itll be sticky. If its sticky, its relevant and it matters to you. If it matters, then youre motivated which, in wine as in business, leads to more enjoyment and success.
Thats the less tangible part of finding a wine you like. The more practical component is the actual drinking. Theres no real way around it. To find a wine you like, you need to taste, and taste some more.
This does not mean you need to set up a bowling alley of wines on one end of your living room, and it doesnt mean drinking to excess. Tasting wine means sampling it, and it means drinking it with food and with friends. Its in the service of developing context.
Fortunately there are often plenty of opportunities for you to sample a bunch of wines at a time.
Wine-9459
You can find a wine shop you like and ask when they have public tastings. Usually its once a week. Find a restaurant you like and ask if they ever do wine dinners. Better yet, make friends with the wine person or the bartender. Ask them what theyve just gotten in that theyre most excited about.
You can ask other people what they like. Not because you want to jump on any bandwagons. Just to start getting familiar with some options.
Where youre much more likely to find a wine you like.
Follow me on Twitter @cathyhuyghe and .
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When You Find A Wine You Love Flip Over The Bottle And Memorize The Importer
Think of your favorite importers like your favorite restaurant: you consistently love the food and you know the quality is always good, so you keep going back to it. “Most importers have a ‘house style,’ and they pick wines that fit that style,” says Callahan. So if you like a wine from a certain importer, chances are, you’ll like others. If you’re not sure where to start, Maniec recommends a few of her favorites: “I love Kermit Lynch, Becky Wasserman, and Louis Dressner, to name a few.”
How To Experience Wine
Each white and red wine has its signature taste, and to figure out what distinguishes one brand from another, it is essential to know how exactly to taste wine. Tasting wine is about much more than merely sipping it and judging it based on first impressions. Everything from the color of the wine, the design of the bottle, our mood and disposition, and to the process of production, all influence the way we taste wine.
While the color and aroma of wine are good indicators of what exactly it is made of, there are specific ways of tasting a wine that enables you to experience it fully. Swirl your red and white wine a few times before taking a swig to aerate the drink. Notice if some drops stay on the side of the glass even after the wine isnt in contact with that part. If they do, the alcohol is likely stronger than normal and lends what is called a body to the wine. This is essentially how heavy this wine is on your palate.
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Getting Started With Wine
There really isn’t one type of wine that every single beginner will love. On the other hand, there are many delicious wines for the budding wine enthusiast to give a try before trying heavier or more serious wines. Many factors affect the pleasure beginners take in wine.
Best White Wine For Beginners
It really is a matter of personal preference of whether or not you begin your wine drinking experience with reds or whites, but generally, it’s best to begin with white wines. The reason for this is because white wines are lighter bodied and easier on the palate than reds. Here are a few great starter whites:
- Pinot Grigio: One of the most user friendly white wines on the market, Pinot Grigio wines are light bodied and crisp, both in finish and flavor characteristics. Give Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio a try.
- Moscato d’Asti: This slightly frizzy, off-dry wine from Italy is a delight. It has flavors of apricots and almonds, and offers a crispy sweet and juicy sip that tickles the nose as you drink it.
- Riesling: This wine ranges from dry to very sweet, but is almost universally loved for its crisp citrus and mineral flavors, bright acidity, and light body. Try a German Riesling, or enjoy a bottle from Washington State such as the Columbia Cellermaster’s Riesling.
- Sauvignon Blanc: This is a crisp, refreshing light bodied white with simple flavors that include kiwi and citrus. It’s also a wonderful summer wine because it is so refreshing. Try a bottle from Kim Crawford.
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Once You Understand Your Own Preferences Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Advice
According to Bosker, you only really need to know two things when you buy wine: How much you want to spend, and what flavors you like. “That could be as specific as, ‘I adore Slovakian dry Rieslings’ or as broad as, ‘I like wines that taste like peach,'” she says. Communicate those facts at a wine shop or restaurant just like you’d ask a sales attendant to point you in the right direction at a clothing store. “Whoever works there will be able to help you find something fabulous,” says Bosker.
How To Choose A Bottle Of Wine At Marketview Liquor
Now that you know more about how to choose a wine for dinner, shop Marketview Liquors delicious selection of wines! With a range of prices, you can experiment with a new variety or invest in a wine you know you will enjoy.
Our resources can help you choose a good wine, whether you visit our store in Rochester, N.Y., or decide to order online. Check out Mikes Picks in our weekly ads, on our website and in our store. You can also check out video tastings on our blog Wine Time with Mike and Holly to give you more specifics about any of our featured wines.
Weve categorized our online selection so you can easily sort by country, region and type of wine so you can select a wine you want to start with and quickly find a similar wine when you need a new bottle. Get started by browsing our online wine selection.
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Learn How To Identify A Grape Variety By The Leaf And Grape Bunch
Article filed in:Features » Winemaking & Viticulture » Learn how to identify a grape variety by the leaf and grape bunch
So you want to be a pro ampelographer? Thats what they call someone who is a botanic specialist focussed on the grape vine. Or maybe you dont? Maybe you just want to know how to tell one grape variety from another. Or as they would say in South Africa, one cultivar from another . Or even one varietaly as some linguistically misguided drinkers sometimes say. Or you are just curious. Or have nothing better to read.
These days the most reliable way to identify a grape variety is to do a DNA test . But few people carry around a DNA test kit in the vineyards.
So lets get serious.
The most important clue to identify the grape variety is the leaf. It should be a full-grown leaf to properly show the characteristics. There are several things to look for. Here are the most important:
- The size
- What kind of fingers and holes does the leaf have
- Is it flat or waffley?
- Is it smooth or hairy? Or perhaps a little bit dusty?
- What is pattern and distribution of the nerves
- And much more
Second thing to look at is of course the grape bunches, although that is difficult unless it is close to harvest time. Here are some of the important things:
- Well, first is of course the colour
- The size of the bunch
- The size of the berries
- The shape of the bunch. Is it conical? Cylindric? With two parts, a big main part and a small ear to the side?
- Tight or wide spread?
What Wine Words Are You Looking For
Youve got your wine poured in your astonishingly standard glass. Youve let it sit and breathe. Youre ready to take a sipwait for it what words are you even supposed to be writing down?!
First, get something to write on. I prefer notecards, since they are small and easy to organize and store for future reference. But you could also use a journal, loose leaf paper, dirty napkins, a crumpled old draft of your screenplay, your tear-stained resume
Write the color, type, vineyard, and location of your current bottle at the top. While not essential, this will definitely help you in the future after glass #6 when youre trying to remember what you drank.
Now, divide up your card into 3 sections for writing words. Title them nose, taste, and texture.
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