What’s in a Wine? Here’s How to Know What Makes a Good Wine

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What's in a Wine? Here's How to Know What Makes a Good Wine
Wine glass, wooden barrel and collection of excellent red wine bottles in the cellar: traditional winemaking and wine tasting concept

Vineyards have been cultivated to grow good wine grapes for thousands of years. It’s considered one of the oldest drinks on earth.

Various winemakers take generations to perfect their craft and produce the most satisfying glass. But if you’re new to wine, then it can be difficult to find a bottle that really satisfies you.

Don’t spend years in tasting rooms trying everything on the shelf without feeling truly satisfied. Check out this post to learn more about the qualities of wine so that you can make an informed selection.

1. The Sweetness and Acidity

Some wines are sweeter than others. This has to do with the kind of grapes they use and the way they are processed. If your wine bottle says “dry”, then that means that it’s not dry at all.

Wines also have different levels of acidity. Wines that are high in acid will be tart, while wines that are lower in acid with have a more robust flavor.

2. The Balance

When you first get a glass of wine, you will probably want to sniff it to see how balanced the flavor is.

A well-balanced wine will have a nice blend of acidity, sweetness, tannins, alcohol, and fruit notes. Nothing should stand out as overpowering.

If you get a wine that is too high in tannins, then it can taste like you are drinking wool. And if you get a wine that is too acidic, it can taste super sour.

3. The Depth

Although you want your wine to be balanced, you also want there to be some interest to the flavor. Your first sip should not taste the same as your fifth.

Think about the flavor when you swirl the wine around in your mouth. Are you able to detect any hints of notes?

The more facets there are to the flavor of your wine, the more satisfying it is to most people. This is especially fun when you are drinking wine with a meal since the flavor will develop and bring forward different aromas the more you eat.

4. The Tannins

The tannins in your wine come from the skin of the grapes. They are a natural part of the wine-making process.

Depending on what kind of wine you drink, there may be more or less tannins present. They are also impacted by aging. The more you learn about the winemaking process, the more you will understand tannins and the way they impact the flavor of a wine.

5. The Alcohol

The more alcohol there is in your wine, the more of a warming feeling it will give to your body. Wine ranges in alcohol content and you can find blends on the market with everything from five percent, all the way up to twenty percent alcohol.

6. The Finish

One of the most important moments in a glass of wine is the finish. You want to be able to swallow a wine and have the taste continue to develop on your palate.

The more flavor there is and the longer it lasts, the better the wine. For a really high-quality wine, you should be able to take the finish for five seconds or more.

Tips for Choosing Good Wine

Even if you know a lot about wine, it’s not always easy to locate a bottle that will suit your palate. Check out these tips for choosing a great bottle every time.

1. Check Out a Wine Tour

There are a ton of great tours you can take to learn more about wine, like this service in Philadelphia.

On your wine tour, you’ll learn about the kind of grapes that goes into the wine, what flavors come from those grapes, how the weather impacts the way the grapes grow, and you will also learn about the bottling and tasting processes that lead to your favorite blends.If you are from New Jersey and are looking for NJ wineries to visit, there are many options available for you.

2. Know What to Pair With Your Wine

A big part of the wine you choose will have to do with what you are eating that evening. Are you going to chow down on a juicy steak, or maybe some sustainable seafood?

Try to choose a wine that has flavors that pair well with your dishes. Choose white wines for lighter dishes like chicken and fish. Choose red wines for heavy dishes like steaks, lamb, and other muscular meats.

3. Don’t Stress About Age

Some people who aren’t familiar with wine believe that aged wine is always better, but that’s not the case. It depends on the wine, only some of them taste better aged.

In order to properly age a win, you have to understand the kind of wine you have, the region it is from, the number of tannins that are in it, and the levels of acid and sugar that it contains.

Most of the time, it is red wine s that you will see aged because most white wines are intended to be drank at the time of purchase.

4. Understand Why Wine Goes on Sale

If a wine is on sale, it’s because it is either not in season or it has been on your store’s shelf for a long time and they are trying to get rid of it.

A discount can be a great way to find a good deal, but not always when it comes to wine. Make sure you understand the sale practices at your store so that you don’t get stuck with a bottle that is about to sour.

Great Recipies to Pair With Good Wine

Selecting good wine is all about knowing what you like and finding the right notes and food pairings to bring that flavor to life. The tips in this article can help you make the perfect suggestion.

But no matter how great your wine is, it’s always better when you come together with friends or family to enjoy a nice meal. Check out our recipe suggestions for ideas for your next family picnic.

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