Wine drinking is a favorite activity shared among many. The way wine tastes, the amazing variety of wines around the world and the experiences we share as we drink wine at the dinner table or at a cocktail party are all elements that allow us to enjoy wine as much as we do. However although many people love to drink wine, wine does come with its own intimidation factor. There are so many different varieties of grape and foreign wine regions that it can make a person's head spin. Wine professionals such as really serious connoisseurs do not necessarily make it easy for the regular folks to enjoy wine. But one thing is certain, the appeal of wine is so strong that many are willing to take lessons or classes on learning all the complex information there is to know about wine.
White wine is a favorite among wine drinkers. There are many varieties of white wine. Basically white wine is wine without any red color (or pink color, which is in the red family). Yellow wines, golden wines, and wines that are as pale as water are all considered white wines. There are two ways of making white wine, which are made from white grapes. But the white grapes are actually greenish, greenish yellow, golden yellow, or sometimes even pinkish yellow in color. The second way of producing white wine actually involves using the juice of red grapes. Because the juice of red grapes has no red pigmentation, it can produce the golden shades of white wine.
White wines are known as aperitif wines which means that they are normally consumed before dinner, in place of cocktails, or at parties. Because white wine is server cool, many people like to drink it when the weather is hot because they are more refreshing than red wines.
White wines fall into four general taste categories. Some white wines are fresh, unoaked whites which are considered crisp and light with no sweetness and no oaky character. Italian white wines like Pinot Grigio and some French whites like Chabalis wines are part of this category. There are some earthy whites, which are dry, fuller-bodied, unoaked or lightly oaked, with a lot of earthy character. French wines such as Macon fall under this category. There are also aromatic whites which are based on the fact that they have intense aromas and flavors that come from their particular grape variety. Some white wines are rich and oaky whites, full-bodied with pronounced oaky character. Most Chardonnays and many French wines are considered full-bodied, dry and oaky.
Wine is an amazingly complex subject. It involves so many elements such as biochemistry, botany, geology, chemistry, climatology, history, culture, politics, laws and business. It can be intimidating to learn so much about wine but there is also a vast amount of information found in books and online. With just a bit of knowledge, you too can be a wine expert.
White wine is a favorite among wine drinkers. There are many varieties of white wine. Basically white wine is wine without any red color (or pink color, which is in the red family). Yellow wines, golden wines, and wines that are as pale as water are all considered white wines. There are two ways of making white wine, which are made from white grapes. But the white grapes are actually greenish, greenish yellow, golden yellow, or sometimes even pinkish yellow in color. The second way of producing white wine actually involves using the juice of red grapes. Because the juice of red grapes has no red pigmentation, it can produce the golden shades of white wine.
White wines are known as aperitif wines which means that they are normally consumed before dinner, in place of cocktails, or at parties. Because white wine is server cool, many people like to drink it when the weather is hot because they are more refreshing than red wines.
White wines fall into four general taste categories. Some white wines are fresh, unoaked whites which are considered crisp and light with no sweetness and no oaky character. Italian white wines like Pinot Grigio and some French whites like Chabalis wines are part of this category. There are some earthy whites, which are dry, fuller-bodied, unoaked or lightly oaked, with a lot of earthy character. French wines such as Macon fall under this category. There are also aromatic whites which are based on the fact that they have intense aromas and flavors that come from their particular grape variety. Some white wines are rich and oaky whites, full-bodied with pronounced oaky character. Most Chardonnays and many French wines are considered full-bodied, dry and oaky.
Wine is an amazingly complex subject. It involves so many elements such as biochemistry, botany, geology, chemistry, climatology, history, culture, politics, laws and business. It can be intimidating to learn so much about wine but there is also a vast amount of information found in books and online. With just a bit of knowledge, you too can be a wine expert.